Posts Tagged: retirement living

Construction Update February 2021

    Our construction continues through the winter months and we are on the last elevation of the brick façade. Completing flooring, painting, and finishes on the first floor, and final touches being completed by all trades on the second and third floors this month. The high ceilings, large windows, spacious apartments, and gathering spaces will be comfortable and cozy. We cannot wait to welcome our new residents to the Memory Care Assisted Living and Long-term, Skilled Nursing Care Households. For more information, contact June O’Neill, Household Representative at...

READ MORE >

How Technology Can Help Seniors Age in Place

Integrating technology into the lives of seniors is a top trend in senior living communities. Why? From social media to helpful gadgets, recent advances in technology can help them stay active, stay safe, and stay in touch with loved ones. Here are seniors and technology tips that can help an older adult in your life take advantage of today’s tech. Tech literacy for seniors has never been a more important priority as shutdowns, lockdowns, and social distancing protocols continue to keep us all us spending more time in our homes. From grandparents on Facebook to helpful gadgets for the elderly, today’s technological advances can help older adults stay connected with family and friends, strengthen fitness and cognition, access information and services, and age in place safely for longer periods of time. If there is a loved one in your life who has resisted using computers or mobile devices, using...

READ MORE >

Healthy Living is Easy at The Atrium

We’ve all heard that physical activity and exercise are good for us. In fact, being physically active on a regular basis is one of the best things older adults can do for themselves. According to the National Institute of Health, even moderate exercise can improve the health of people who are frail or who have diseases that accompany aging. Being strong and fit can allow us to continue doing the things we enjoy as we age. Making exercise a regular part of our lives helps improve our health and maintain our independence as we age. At The Atrium, independent living at The Cedars, our residents can attest to that. Our Wellness Coordinator develops customized wellness plans based on each person’s goals and abilities. After just one year of exercise, our residents have experienced significant gains. Here are some of their gains: 38% more upper body strength 63% more lower...

READ MORE >

Three Reasons to Move to a Retirement Community

Independent retirement living provides convenience and ease within a welcoming community that offers amenities and services to support your daily lifestyle and preferences. There are many aspects to independent living that can help eliminate the challenges of maintaining a home and inspire a new chapter of adventures and friendships in your life. When talking with residents at The Atrium at The Cedars, here are some of features that have brought them peace of mind since making their move. Socialization when you want it. The beauty of an independent living community is that you can choose to be as busy or as social as you like! While the offerings of activities, lectures, wellness programs and social engagements are plentiful, there is the opportunity to have restful and quiet moments in the privacy of your own home. The convenience of visiting friends and neighbors without the hassle of inclement weather and...

READ MORE >

Assisted Living at The Cedars: Our Dining Experience

Sitting down for a delicious meal is something we all look forward to, both to nourish our bodies as well as to gather with friends and families.  At The Osher Inn Assisted Living, our residents look forward to joining in our dining room that is elegant yet intimate and feels just like home in our small community of 30 apartments. For lunch or dinner, we often have family members join their loved ones to catch up on busy lives.  Breakfast time is an opportunity for our residents to plan their days and visit with friends over a lingering cup of coffee.  Our Dining Director, John Roy, prides himself on planning his menus around seasonality and variety. “Living in Maine gives us access to the best seafood, produce, and meats,” he explains. “And we don’t want even our most popular dishes to feel repetitive. In every way, we try to...

READ MORE >

Exploring Watercolor at The Osher Inn Assisted Living

When Nancy Meyer arrives at the Osher Inn at The Cedars Retirement Community, she unpacks watercolor paints, brushes and paper. Eager hands await the materials, ready to get to work adding color and personal flair to the watercolor paper. Teaching and facilitating watercolor painting with seniors has had a great effect on Meyer, a New York native who now calls Baldwin home. “It’s so rewarding,” said Meyer. And the Osher residents love it, her many loyal attendants wouldn’t miss her class. Nancy focuses on nature in her watercolor sessions, bringing pieces of the natural world inside especially for those who are unable to go out-of-doors. It may be apple blossoms, flowers or pumpkins. These special still-life subjects are sure to bring smiles, said Meyer. “I learn from them,” she said, of her students. Some smile, paint and have a great time. Others are slowed down by the details. Others...

READ MORE >

Skilled Care: Six Ways to Make the Most of Your Visits

          Melanie Desjardins, MSW, Household Coordinator on the Shapiro Neighborhood at The Cedars Personal visits can make a big difference for loved ones who live at The Cedars. Although our Life Enrichment Department offers several activities, arriving with a planned activity can make your visit more pleasant and meaningful for both you and your loved one. Here are some creative things to do while visiting: Bring photos of family and friends from days gone by and/or recent photos of their house or hometown. Help your loved one write letters or send cards to people. Together, start to create a photo album, framed photograph collection or a poster to hang in their room. Cook your favorite family meal together in our Life Enrichment kitchen. Create a life story to frame for all staff to see. Write about the great life of your loved one! Play word and...

READ MORE >

Choosing a Senior Living Community: 5 Important First Impressions

When starting the search for a senior community for either yourself or your parent or loved one, first impressions are  key to finding the best fit.  Here are some tips to keep in mind when making your initial visits. 1. Do you like the community’s location and outward appearance? Is the community convenient to restaurants, shops, symphony, theater, physicians, hospitals and pharmacies?  Does it connect you to opportunities beyond the campus that allow for enjoyment of a larger community?  Are the grounds and building well maintained, with plenty of gardens and walking trails?  2. Are you welcomed with a warm greeting from the staff?  And does the staff address residents by their names, interacting with them during the tour? Is it easy to connect with both the residents and the staff?  You want to make sure that the staff not only provides excellent services, but also gets involved with the residents and...

READ MORE >

Rehabilitation Therapy at The Cedars Senior Living Community

Rehab Team Are you anticipating a short-term, inpatient rehabilitation stay in the near future?  If so, The Cedars Rehabilitation Team would like to provide you with some insight into the experience. As patients enter the rehabilitation process, we recognize that they are not feeling as “whole” as they had been; they’re suffering a loss of health and may be uncertain about putting trust into the rehabilitation team.  This key team consists of physical, occupational and speech therapists, nursing staff, dietician, physician and care coordinators who are all there to assess your needs and arrange a treatment plan with you.  The medical staff largely focuses your medical issues – the reason you were admitted to the hospital. While the therapists concentrate on helping you get back to “doing.” Sometimes returning to your prior level of activity comes in phases where you need to learn compensatory strategies during an interim period.  For instance,...

READ MORE >

In Good Company from The Cedars Retirement Community

  As I get to know the many, wonderful members at The Atrium at The Cedars in my role as Marketing Representative, I frequently find myself surprised by what I hear.  Members often explain their reasons for choosing our retirement community: proximity to downtown Portland, sense of security from our continuum of care, or relief from the burden of home ownership.  Once they arrive, although they may have expected the warm welcome from our community, they are often amazed to find themselves developing new friendships. Real, true friendships with peers who share their stories, provide fellowship and offer support.  It seems that this facet of their lives, this idea of relishing the company of friends, was a book already read and returned to the shelf. Once our members at have an opportunity to live without the worries and difficulties that come with aging, the possibilities of living a fuller life...

READ MORE >