Join us Thursday November 17th at 11AM at The Atrium at The Cedars as broadcast metriologist Tom Chisholm focuses on New England weather past, present and future.
To reserve your space please call 207-221-7100.
Best Retirement Living: Socializing As We Age
Friend of The Cedars, Deb Bergeron, Life Coach and President of Ocean of Possibilities, has presented to The Cedars over the years and shares her thoughts on the importance of socializing as we age. Enjoy Deb’s 10 Tips to Building Strong Connections.
“No matter what age you are, or what your circumstances might be, you are special, and you still have something unique to offer. Your life, because of who you are, has meaning.”
~ Barbara de Angelis
1. Nourish your social relationships. Nourish relationships with siblings and cousins your own age; they’re most likely to stay with you through time and can remind you of your younger self. But don’t confine yourself to your own age group. Look for younger friends as well—yes, children, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren count, too.
2. Learn for the love of it! Taking classes and attending lecture series can help improve your social connections and keep your mind stimulated. Join with more than 1400 like-minded Portland area adult learners who are members of the Osher Learning Institute at the University of Maine. Book clubs are another great way to expand your mind and your feelings of connectedness.
3. Exercise is the best anti-aging elixir there is, and it’s also a great way to make friends. Mall-walking groups are everywhere nowadays. Even the neighborhood gym is a social gathering place. Seniors often comprise the biggest group of exercisers at suburban workout facilities, especially in the late morning and early afternoon.
4. Share your common interests. Common interests are what bring us together in relationships and they make our relationships have strong ties that hold us together. Not only does it make you feel connected on a deeper level but it’s also fun to do things that you love with another person.
5. Volunteer. Find some local groups that need your help. Volunteering is a great way to contribute to your community and enrich your life and the lives of others. You can make a difference!
6. Demonstrate your caring. People know we care about them through our words and deeds. We need to demonstrate our appreciation and affection. Small gestures such as an unexpected phone call or a kind note or baking a cake can carry just as much weight as big ones. Tell the people you love and care about how you feel. We all like to hear that our efforts are noticed and valued.
7. Join some clubs and organizations. Join some clubs and organizations that involve younger people and not just seniors. Be friendly and approachable, and keep an open mind. It’s never too late to try new things and meet new people!
8. Make the first step. Don’t wait for other people to call you. Reach out to an old friend or acquaintance. See if there are opportunities to reconnect. Think of how you’d feel if an old friend reached out to you.
9. Share your stories. With old age comes a lifetime of experience. Pass along your favorite moments so future generations can remember you for who you are and what you’ve done. They may even learn a thing or two!
10. Embrace new technology. Email and computers have made staying connected easier. By learning the basics of technology you can keep in touch with your friends, sons, daughters, and grandchildren. The younger generations today post pictures online and communicate electronically everyday. It’s a great way to sty in touch.
“Ah, how it feels! The hands of an old friend.”
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Active Senior Living: Wellness at The Cedars
We’ve had a special guest at The Cedars for the past several days, John Rude, president of Age Dynamics based in Eugene, Oregon. John as been discussing wellness for everyone in our community – and is creating a great deal of excitement in the process. He has an extensive history of developing health and fitness programs for seniors in the US and Europe. With master’s degrees in gerontology and business, he spent many years in disease management, and then in the early nineties shifted his focus towards prevention, growth and development. John has spent time talking with The Cedars staff, members, residents and community to emphasize the following theme:
Regardless of our age, we have the capacity to grow, develop, modify and change
John makes the point that we need to feel empowered in order to maintain our autonomy – and maintaining our autonomy becomes more important as we age. John goes on to say that our western culture emphasizes the importance of physical function and that all other aspects of our wellness – our social, intellectual, emotional, spiritual, environmental and vocational wellbeing – thrive when our physical functioning is in good working condition.
When we are not well physically, we tend to get depressed, question our spirituality, become less involved socially, etc. When we are able to maintain our autonomy, we tend to have more positive experiences in life. Senior living communities like The Cedars are focused on empowering our residents, members and employees to participate in fun and varied strength and flexibility training – as little as twice per week – in addition to educational and inspirational seminars. As people age, strength becomes more important than any other exercise, because if we’re not strong, then we don’t bounce back as easily.
“This is not just about doing – it’s about thinking differently,” explains John. And thinking differently leads to empowerment. Couldn’t we all use a little more of that?
For more information about wellness programs at The Cedars, please call our Lifestyle Coordinator and wellness specialist, Sharon Leddy-Smart at 207-221-7100.
Best Senior Living Community: Angie Hunt
Best Senior Living Community — Angie Hunt
Posted by Angela Hunt, RPT, MS, Executive Director, The Cedars
Just the other day, at the 9th Annual Cedars Auxiliary Golf Tournament, an elderly gentleman came up to me and said, “You probably don’t remember me, but you treated me and my wife at the Sam L. Cohen Rehabilitation Center. Your staff was so kind and compassionate and we are both doing so much better because of the great care we received. Thank you so much for what you do!”
My name is Angela Hunt and I am Executive Director at The Cedars. I oversee the daily operations of the Hoffman Center, home of the Sam L. Cohen Rehabilitation Center (39-bed short-stay rehabilitation) and the Skilled Care Center (63 long-term care beds). I also oversee 30 assisted living apartments at The Osher Inn.
You might think that this is a tremendous responsibility, but working with competent and professional staff certainly helps. I love my job so much that I have been at The Cedars for a total of 12 years.
Most people who know me might say that I am always looking to develop and improve our programming for seniors. I like the challenges that the field of healthcare provides me. But, the real reason I do what I do is because of the relationships fostered with patients, residents, family members and staff.
Artist Flavia Weedn once said, “Some people come into our lives and quickly go, some stay for awhile, leave footprints on our hearts and we are never the same.” I am very blessed that working at The Cedars gives me the opportunity to not only to leave but also to receive many footprints. And that’s the reason I do what I do!
The Benefits of Assisted Living
As we celebrate National Assisted Living Week at The Cedars with an active calendar of resident and family gatherings and events, it gives us the opportunity to reflect on the positive effects that The Osher Inn assisted living has had on the community and those we serve since opening just three years ago.
Assisted Living is the perfect option for seniors needing assistance with one or more of their activities of daily living (ADL’s) such as bathing, dressing and grooming. In addition, most assisted livings provide help with medication management, assuring that the medications are in-house and are being administered to the residents at the right time. Staff is on site 24 hours per day providing personal support with ADL’s and medications. A registered nurse works with the residents’ physicians to assure their medical needs are being met.
Seniors enjoy three meals per day at assisted livings in a social environment. Although amenities vary among communities, The Osher Inn offers many interesting and varied programs and excursions taking place every day for our residents such as fitness classes, concerts, lectures, and trips to local restaurants. All resident have access to our salon and day spa and fitness studio. Check out our Life Enrichment Calendar.
All of these services are provided in a private setting – at The Osher Inn, each resident has their own apartment where they bring in their furnishings from home. Some assisted living residences have shared rooms, however, depending on the program.
The philosophy of assisted livings is to support their residents while encouraging them to maintain as much independence as possible. Once the resident needs more extensive assistance with their ADL’s, skilled care (also known as nursing home) may be the best option for them. At The Cedars, our full continuum is available for residents if they need more supportive care or a short-term stay in our RehabilitationCenter.
Call us today to find out if assisted living is the right option for you or your loved one.
Mazel Tov, Russ and Bea Bornstein
- Russ and Bea Bornstein
Russ and Bea Bornstein celebrated 66 years of marriage last week at The Osher Inn.
Mazel Tov, Russ and Bea!
Strong Ties: A Presentation with Deb Bergeron
Join us October 6 at 11AM at The Atrium for an interactive presentation on the relationships in our lives.
To reserve your space, please call us at (207) 221-7100
Rosh Hashanah Dinner
September 29 and 30 at 5:30PM
To reserve your space, please contact us.
9th Annual Auxiliary Golf Tournament
Supporting Our Seniors: The 9th Annual Cedars Auxiliary Golf Tournament
By Beth Sheppard, Director of Development at The Cedars
You’d think that a golf tournament would be all about high scores, sponsorships and prayers for good weather. But I’ve learned that the tournament run by the Cedars Auxiliary is all about…family.
There were sister acts: former Tournament Chair Roz Siegel and her sister Judy Brams (daughters of Charlotte Siegel, who lives at the Osher Inn and who is herself a longtime member of the Auxiliary) played together. So did Ron Lessard Jr. of Interim Healthcare, one of our Silver Sponsors, and his dad, Ron Lessard Sr. Then there was the D.A.R. Inc. team that included Executive Director Angie Hunt, her husband Col. David Hunt, and her brother, Vincent Palangie.
Before the tournament even started, incoming Auxiliary President Suzie Berzinis and her daughter Hannah – herself a Jr. Auxiliary member and granddaughter of Hole Sponsors Betsy and Alan Levenson – stuffed 100 goodie bags for the golfers.
Perhaps our favorite family team, though, was Team Bornstein: Russ Bornstein, who lives with his wife Bea at the Osher Inn, golfed with three of his grandsons: Nathan Bergeron (son of Deborah Bernstein Bergeron and Norman Bergeron), and Ben and Gabe Bornstein, sons of Joe and Debbie Bornstein. Said Nathan, “We had a great time. And for a 93-year old my grandfather can still hit ‘em straight.”
The final scores were:
1st Place Gross: Team D.A.R., Inc. with a score of 57.
1st Place Net: Team Interim Healthcare with a score of 60.
2nd Place Net: Team Siegel with a score of 66.
3rd Place Net: Team Storage Realty with a score of 59.
Thanks to all of our wonderful sponsors:
Course
Val Halla Golf and Recreation Center, Cumberland
Platinum Sponsor
Silver Sponsors
Black Bear Medical, Bramlie Corporation, Capozza Tile & Floor Covering Center, Charlie’s Motor Mall, Geriatric Medical, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Interim Healthcare, Kelly, Remmel & Zimmerman, Law Offices of Joe Bornstein, Marcus, Clegg & Mistretta, Inc., Omnicare of Maine, Port Printing Solutions, SironaHealth
Luncheon Sponsors
Jesse & Julie Purves – Ameriprise, Cathy B. Cohen & Diane Dussault, Tee Sign Sponsor, Port Printing Solutions
Hole Sponsors
www.acadiabenefits.com, Rena & Michael Becker, Eleanor Brainin & Eric Kolben – UBS, Cognitive Therapy Associates, LLC, D.A.R., Inc, E. Perry Iron, Jim & Katie Freilinger, Patricia & Gregg Garson, Susan & Arnold Garson, Elizabeth & Sidney Geller, The Goodman Law Firm, P.A., Hartford Mutual Funds, Betsy & Alan Levenson, Bruce Munger – Merrill Lynch, Nelson & Small, Inc., Orthopaedic Associates, Smart Landscaping, Charles S. Wolfe & Assoc., Inc.
Breakfast Sponsors
Tim Horton’s, Maine Mall
Goody Bag Sponsor
Edward Jones,Westbrook
Giveaway Sponsors
Akari Hair Salon, Justin Alfond, Diane Boucher, Coca-Cola, Cathy B. Cohen, Delano Associates, Eclips Hair Salon, Edward Jones-Westbrook, Fran Fritzsche-Jensen, Renee Givner, Golf and Ski Warehouse, Gorham Country Club, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Higgins Beach Inn, Candy Henriksson, Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, Charlotte O’Connor, Orthopaedic Associates, Portland House of Pizza, Portland Pie Company, Westbrook, Scrubadub Auto Wash Centers, Inc, Skillins Greenhouses, The Shipyard Brewing Company, Susan Steinkeler, Stroudwater Auto, UNUM, Val Halla, Winter People
And thanks to our great volunteers:
Fran Fritzsche-Jensen, Co-chair, Nancy Ravin, Co-chair, Prudy Andrew, Co-chair, Rene Becker, Hannah Berzinis, Suzie Berzinis, Ginny Ecklund, Dee Emple, Jodi Freedman, Renée Givner, Candy Henriksson, Hilary Rapkin, Roz Siegel
Visits II
Help with Aging Parents: Four More Ways to Make the Most of Visits – Part II
By Melanie Desjardins, Manager of Care Coordination at The Cedars
Have you ever thought, “What can I do with my loved one on this visit”? Well, here are some more ideas for your visit:
- 1. Go shopping from catalogs and/or the Internet and buy something new. Remember there is a computer located in the Life Enrichment room for residents to use.
- Play cards.
- Make a special scrapbook celebrating your loved one’s lifetime or show already-made family scrapbooks, etc.
- Read newspapers and magazines aloud to keep them in touch with the world. Reading the local newspaper is a great idea.
Remember, a visit doesn’t have to be long to be enjoyed!