Holistic Wellness for Seniors: Tai Chi at The Cedars

Posted by Katharine

“Minus the pre-conceived notions and judgments engendered by our culture about growing old, aging is simply change.”  FRED BRANCATO, TAI CHI INSTRUCTOR

The mood is as bright as the winter sun streaming through the windows as instructor Fred Brancato greets each member of his weekly Tai Chi class at The Atrium at The Cedars.  Gathered in a circle, they begin by sharing with each other and letting go of the preoccupations of the day.  As they rise to begin their exercises, they are already lighter.

Fred has practiced Tai Chi for the past 21 years, and he guides this class with a voice of quiet assurance.  Movements are graceful, yet precise.  Breathing is slower, but deeper.  Each sequence includes gentle reminders to stay centered, to smile.  Everything is in balance.

At 76, Fred has the look and bearing of a much younger man, and Tai Chi clearly informs his outlook on aging.  And as he shares the philosophy behind this ancient art with the class during the discussion breaks, you can see how the concepts of birth and rebirth and of harmony with change also resonate with his students.  “I love the people at The Cedars,” Fred says.  “So quick to laugh, wide open, ready for anything.  I get so much from them.”

And they get so much from this class.  “There are so many health benefits for seniors,” he says.  “the meditative nature of Tai Chi as well as the exercises.  Preserving strength and balance are so beneficial as we age.  Tai Chi has been credited with lowering blood pressure and blood sugars, easing fibromyalgia – every study shows something new.”

At the beginning of class, Fred cracked a window to the bracing winter breeze.  By the time he closes it, minds are clearer and walks are brisker.  Tai Chi with Fred has refreshed and renewed this class, like a breath of fresh air.

A Ph.D. and scholar of world religious traditions now retired from academia, Fred teaches Tai Chi and courses about Eastern philosophy and Native American world views, and is the author of Ancient Wisdom and the Measure of Our Days: The spiritual Dimensions of Retirement, Aging and Loss.

The Show Must Go On

Posted by Katharine

Join us at The Atrium at The Cedars on Friday April 12, 2013 for

“Behind the Scenes at Portland Stage Company”

Executive and Artistic Director Anita Stewart

will share what it really takes to produce professional theater.

To reserve your seat, call 207-221-7100

 

Winslow Homer and the Maine Coast

Posted by Katharine

Please join us for a special presentation with

Karen Sherry, curator of American Art at the PMA

Wednesday March 20, 2013

To reserve your space, call 207-221-7100

Best Retirement Community: Taking Care of Our Hearts

Posted by Katharine

 

Health and Wellness: Taking Care of Our Hearts 

February is Health Healthy Month and a great opportunity to take inventory of our heart wellness.  As we age our hearts become less efficient and have to work harder to pump the blood.  Here are several ways we can promote heart health taken from livestrong.com. If you have any questions about healthy living, stop in and see Sharon Leddy-Smart Lifestyle Coordinator at The Atrium at The Cedars. 

Exercise: Exercise is related to your cardiovascular health, and as an older person it’s important for you to be active. Exercise 30 minutes daily, even breaking it into three 10-minute sessions. Even moderate exercise, such as brisk walking 30 minutes daily, provides many benefits to your heart health.
Exercise can improve circulation, help you lose weight, aid in smoking
cessation, improve blood cholesterol levels, help manage stress, reduce coronary heart disease in women by 30 to 40 percent, and reduce risk of stroke by 20 percent in moderately active people and 27 percent in highly active people. 

Eat Well: No matter what age you are, you can eat according to the American Heart Association guidelines to aid your heart. Consume at least 4.5 cups of fruits and vegetables daily; two 3.5-oz. servings of fish weekly; two 1-oz. servings of fiber-rich whole grains daily; four servings a week of nuts, legumes, and seeds; less than 1,500 mg of sodium daily; no more than 450 calories of sugar-sweetened beverages a week; and no more than two servings of processed meat a week. Saturated fat should be less than 7 percent of your total calories daily. 

Manage Your Blood Sugar: Diabetes, or increased blood sugar that is not controlled, can lead to cardiovascular problems like atherosclerosis. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes may increase with age, and complications from diabetes can be more severe. Diet and medications can be very effective in managing your blood sugar, so get a checkup regularly.

 Take Your Prescribed Medications: Don’t stop taking your medications. Your doctor prescribed them for a reason, and many of them may be keeping your heart healthy. The risk for heart attacks, strokes and heart failure becomes higher if you stop taking medications for your heart.

Flu Season at The Cedars: Keeping Our Community Well

Posted by Katharine

Susan Dionne-Jones, Director of Nursing at The Cedars

With the flu season in full swing, The Cedars residents and staff are well equipped with their vaccinations and the enforcement of a community-wide regime of excellent hygiene through frequent hand washing and good respiratory etiquette.  Until the season behind us, The Cedars asks that visitors and staff who are showing any signs of cough, fever or congestion to stay home for 24 to 48 hours after their symptoms have resolved.

To stay ahead of the flu season curve, The Cedars Director of Nursing, Susan Dionne-Jones has been in frequent contact with the Maine Center for Disease Control as well as local hospitals for updates.  To protect yourself and others, we recommend:

  • Washing your hands often with warm, soapy water
  • Keeping your hands away from your face
  • When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth with a tissue or your upper sleeve or elbow
  • Do your best to stay at home if you have cough, fever or congestion

Open House at The Cedars

Posted by Katharine

Please join us for an opportunity to talk with our members

and tour our community.

Wednesday February 13, 2012

FMI call 207-221-7100

Best Retirement Community: Living Well with Diabetes

Posted by Katharine

Health and Wellness: November is Diabetes Awareness Month

by Dianne Vigue, Resident Wellness Manager at The Osher Inn, assisted living at The Cedars

Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high blood sugar, either because the body does not produce enough insulin, or because cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced.  This high blood sugar produces the classical symptoms of frequent urination, frequent thirst and increased hunger.

                There are two main types of diabetes that affect seniors.  Type I results from the body’s failure to produce insulin and requires the individual to inject insulin or wear and insulin pump.   Type II results from insulin resistance, a condition in which cells fail to use insulin properly, which used to be called “non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus”.  Both are chronic conditions and their accompanying complications can be treated and kept under control with the proper medications, diet, and exercise.  Diagnosis is determined by your medical practitioner through a simple blood test.

There are several components to a successful diabetes self-management plan.  Hebrew Senior Life and Harvard Medical School suggest the following:

  1. Monitoring blood glucose levels regularly – This helps patients know how much food to eat, how much exercise to get, and how much medication, including      insulin, to take, as well as helping them feel more in control of their disease.
  2. Following a well-balanced meal plan – Different foods affect blood glucose      levels, so planning meals is important. A dietitian can help create personalized meal plans designed to help control blood glucose levels.
  3. Exercising regularly  – 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week can improve blood glucose levels of older adults.
  4. Taking medications as prescribed – Medications, both oral and injectable, are key to controlling diabetes, and they should be taken exactly as they are prescribed by a physician.
  5. Losing weight – Nearly 90 percent of diabetics are overweight; studies have shown that weight loss is an essential element in controlling blood glucose levels.
  6. Checking feet daily – Diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage) can cause cuts, sores and blisters to go unnoticed. Because they heal more slowly in people with diabetes, the risk of infection is greater.
  7. Visiting your health-care team regularly – Regular visits to a primary care      physician and an endocrinologist (a diabetes specialist) can help monitor      disease progression and modify disease treatment and management plans. In      addition, people with diabetes should see an eye doctor annually and a dentist every six months.

See What Makes Us Shine!

Posted by Katharine

Holiday Tea and Tour at The Atrium at The Cedars

Thursday December 13th, 2012

For more information please call 207-221-7100