Posted in our blog on by Katharine& filed under Featured.
On September 18, the Ombudsman Program held its 13th Annual Excellence in Long-Term Care Awards event at the Blaine House in Augusta. Sixteen of Maine’s direct care workers were honored with the Excellence in Long-Term Care Award – including The Cedars very own Misty Seeley, CNA. Maine’s First Lady, Mrs. Ann LePage participated in this special event presenting awards to the workers. Each recipient was chosen by an independent panel because of their demonstrated extraordinary leadership among their peers, dedication to resident rights and a commitment to providing excellent care. The Ombudsman Program recognized that every day Maine’s elderly and disabled citizens rely upon the skills and caring of the workers who provide essential care to them in long-term care facilities, like the Skilled Care Center at The Cedars. Congratulations...
Posted in our blog on by Katharine& filed under Featured.
The Cedars Wellness Coordinator, Sarah Martin, recommends Chair Stands to strengthen your abdomen and thighs. And when you exercise remember: Check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing, and proper shoes that offer safety and support Drink water before, during and after exercise Make sure you stretch after you exercise In a seated position with good posture and feet flat on the floor, cross your arms over your chest or hold a ball with both hands at chest level. Keeping your weight on your heels, stand up, using your hands as little as possible or not at all. As you bend slightly forward to stand up, keep your back and shoulders straight. Take at least 3 seconds to sit back down. Repeat 8 to 15 times or as many as you can comfortably do with good form. Rest. Do another set of 8 repetitions....
Posted in our blog on by Katharine& filed under Featured.
The Cedars’ Wellness Coordinator, Sarah Bartell, offers our seniors a variety of exercise classes and educational programs on wellness and health. More of our community member are seeing the benefits and fun in participating, at whatever level they want – and Sarah is now offering more opportunities to join in. Here are a few notes from Sarah on the benefits of exercise classes: Why Join an Exercise Class? Accountability Social interaction Learn new exercises Energy in numbers Well rounded workout Learn the correct form Not to mention the benefits of exercise – just to name a few: Improve strength, bone density, flexibility, stability = stay healthier longer, fewer falls, and more. Try a class that interests you! Here are some of the programs that we offer at The Atrium: Tai Chi Classes Integrative Yoga Aquacize in the Pool Walking Group Strength Training Bend, Balance and Bone Train Your Brain with...
Posted in our blog on by Katharine& filed under Featured.
The Cedars has been focused on Wellness for years, offering a variety of programs for both our residents and staff towards better physical, spiritual and mental health. A recent article in the Portland Press Herald highlights a recent study from the Wake Forest School of Medicine that physical exercise just may improve out mental health. Laura Baker, cognitive neurologist reports, “Regular aerobic exercise could be a fountain of youth for the brain.” Several studies have shown that exercise not only helps our physical bodies but can improve cognition in healthy older adults quite possibly lowering their risk of dementia. At The Cedars, Wellness Coordinator Sarah Martin puts this to work every day through strength training, walking programs, water aerobics, and a variety of other wellness classes for our residents at The Atrium and The Osher Inn. Baseline assessments are completed with all who are interested, and exercise programs are designed...
Posted in our blog on by Katharine& filed under Advocacy, Featured.
Tune into the WHCoA live broadcast today from 10AM to 5PM to find out about important issues involving seniors in our nation. Topics covered include caregiving, financial security, healthy aging, intergenerational connections and more. President Barack Obama will deliver his remarks at 11:15 AM. The Cedars’ CEO and President, Kathy Callnan received the invitation from U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree’s office to join the regional Boston forum of the WHCoA in May to offer her expertise on vital topics that are increasingly effecting our aging population. “As the number of older American’s is growing, and with Maine being the oldest state, policy makers, service providers and the medical community need to come together to address key issues such as healthy aging, access to long term care services, and aging with dignity,” Callnan shared. The Cedars is no stranger to advocacy. With a frequent presence in Augusta, and participation in various Washington...
Posted in our blog on by Katharine& filed under Featured.
The Cedars has maintained a strong commitment to wellness for years through programs for our members, residents and staff alike. And now we are thrilled to announce a new position at The Cedars which ramps up our focus on wellness even further, through enhanced programming for our seniors. The Cedars recently welcomed Sarah Bartell, Community Wellness Coordinator, to our community. Sarah’s role will serve as a complement to our current Life Enrichment offerings at The Atrium independent living, and The Osher Inn Assisted Living. Currently, our Life Enrichment calendar includes strength and resistance training, yoga, water aerobics, tai chi, walking groups, and Zumba gold. With the addition of this new position, our residents will experience a twofold change. First, they will find a greater variety of fitness classes and educational sessions on nutrition and wellness. And secondly, they’ll have the option to participate in routine fitness assessments to determine their baseline strength and wellness, as well as gains...
Posted in our blog on by Katharine& filed under Featured.
Kathy Callnan, President and CEO at The Cedars, joined other leaders in long term care at the May 28 Regional Forum in Boston Massachusetts. At the fourth and final regional forum leading up to the Conference in Washington, DC in July, gathered together are seniors, caregivers, advocates and community leaders to discuss the issues facing older Americans. Check out the video of the morning’s presentations, which was followed by four breakout sessions: Elder Justice, Retirement Security, Long Term Services and Support, and Healthy Aging. The 2015 White House Conference on Aging will highlight the contributions of older adults today and help inform the landscape of aging policy for the future. The Boston Regional Forum is an important part of this dialogue. The Boston Regional Forum is an opportunity to hear directly from you on key issues such as ensuring retirement security, promoting healthy aging, providing long-term services and supports, and protecting older...
Posted in our blog on by Katharine& filed under Atrium, Featured.
Chef Bal Arneson, The Spice Goddess, James Beard award finalist, and celebrity chef came to visit The Atrium at The Cedars recently to share her story, health tips and some incredible dishes. Bal was born and raised in a small village in India and came to North America through an arranged marriage. Today, she is living in Canada with her two children and enjoys traveling to promote her cookbooks and television shows on the Cooking Chanel and the Food Network. “I love visiting seniors who are enjoying this wonderful time of their lives, living life to the fullest. I want to live in a lovely community like The Atrium!” And when the members comment that she is too young, she explains that she is not, and as a matter of fact doesn’t really know her age because birthdays aren’t celebrated in India. At The...
Posted in our blog on by Katharine& filed under Featured.
The Cedars recently joined the EMHS Beacon Health Pioneer Accountable Care Organization, or ACO, one of the experimental new models of care driven by the efficiency requirements of the Affordable Care Act. We sat down with David Polisner, MD, of Mercy Hospital, for the inside scoop. His grandfather is a long-time member of The Atrium at The Cedars, so Dr. Polisner has wonderful insight into the impact ACO membership will have here. “An ACO is a group of providers coordinating patient care to control costs and promote quality,” Dr. Polisner explains. “The standards for membership are high. When Mercy joined the EMHS network and the Beacon Health Pioneer ACO, The Cedars was our natural partner. Many of our providers already send patients to The Cedars because the care is excellent and our missions are so closely aligned.” Dr. Polisner believes our ACO will immediately benefit a select group of...
The Cedars has developed brand-new, innovative and intensive orthopedic therapies to put today’s younger, healthy patients on the fast track to full independence. In as few as five days, the elite team at The Sam L. Cohen Rehabilitation Center can manage pain, accelerate recovery and improve the mobility of active patients after joint replacement surgery. Able to choose private rooms, pampered with spa-like amenities and engaged in daily, one-on-one therapies in our state-of-the-art gym, patients recover much faster and return, fully independent, to the life they love. “Everyone wants to get out of the hospital after surgery,” explains Angela Hunt, Chief Operating Officer at The Cedars. “But returning home before you’re ready can actually set your recovery back. How will you navigate stairs, showers or cars? Manage your medications and your dressings? In just five days, we can give you the skills, strength and confidence to live at home...
The Cedars Wellness Coordinator, Sarah Martin, recommends Chair Stands to strengthen your abdomen and thighs. And when you exercise remember: Check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing, and proper shoes that offer safety and support Drink water before, during and after exercise Make sure you stretch after you exercise In a seated position with good posture and feet flat on the floor, cross your arms over your chest or hold a ball with both hands at chest level. Keeping your weight on your heels, stand up, using your hands as little as possible or not at all. As you bend slightly forward to stand up, keep your back and shoulders straight. Take at least 3 seconds to sit back down. Repeat 8 to 15 times or as many as you can comfortably do with good form. Rest. Do another set of 8 repetitions....
The Cedars has been focused on Wellness for years, offering a variety of programs for both our residents and staff towards better physical, spiritual and mental health. A recent article in the Portland Press Herald highlights a recent study from the Wake Forest School of Medicine that physical exercise just may improve out mental health. Laura Baker, cognitive neurologist reports, “Regular aerobic exercise could be a fountain of youth for the brain.” Several studies have shown that exercise not only helps our physical bodies but can improve cognition in healthy older adults quite possibly lowering their risk of dementia. At The Cedars, Wellness Coordinator Sarah Martin puts this to work every day through strength training, walking programs, water aerobics, and a variety of other wellness classes for our residents at The Atrium and The Osher Inn. Baseline assessments are completed with all who are interested, and exercise programs are designed...
Chef Bal Arneson, The Spice Goddess, James Beard award finalist, and celebrity chef came to visit The Atrium at The Cedars recently to share her story, health tips and some incredible dishes. Bal was born and raised in a small village in India and came to North America through an arranged marriage. Today, she is living in Canada with her two children and enjoys traveling to promote her cookbooks and television shows on the Cooking Chanel and the Food Network. “I love visiting seniors who are enjoying this wonderful time of their lives, living life to the fullest. I want to live in a lovely community like The Atrium!” And when the members comment that she is too young, she explains that she is not, and as a matter of fact doesn’t really know her age because birthdays aren’t celebrated in India. At The...
The Cedars has developed brand-new, innovative and intensive orthopedic therapies to put today’s younger, healthy patients on the fast track to full independence. In as few as five days, the elite team at The Sam L. Cohen Rehabilitation Center can manage pain, accelerate recovery and improve the mobility of active patients after joint replacement surgery. Able to choose private rooms, pampered with spa-like amenities and engaged in daily, one-on-one therapies in our state-of-the-art gym, patients recover much faster and return, fully independent, to the life they love. “Everyone wants to get out of the hospital after surgery,” explains Angela Hunt, Chief Operating Officer at The Cedars. “But returning home before you’re ready can actually set your recovery back. How will you navigate stairs, showers or cars? Manage your medications and your dressings? In just five days, we can give you the skills, strength and confidence to live at home...