The Cedars Monthly Dementia Support Group

Posted by Megan Davis

It’s called the long good-bye, and it is a journey that will change every person it touches. Dementia can be a terrifying diagnosis. Finding support can make all the difference when navigating the twists and turns of the disease.
At The Cedars, we have created a space to come together and learn strategies, feel supported and develop lasting friendships

My name is Susan, and I am a certified dementia practitioner and occupational therapist. I have worked with individuals living with dementia and their caregivers for more than twenty years. At our monthly dementia caregiver support group we come together as a team to not only listen to each other but to learn strategies and techniques. Understanding what’s causing challenging behaviors is the first step. Learning strategies and techniques is next. Everyone can ask questions and caregivers also learn from each other.

Each month we cover a new topic with resources followed by an open discussion that provides an opportunity for questions about challenges caregivers are trying to navigate. Topics have included:
“I want to Go Home” why do people living with dementia ask to go home?
“Delusions, Paranoia and Accusations” 
“Sundowning…What is it and why does it occur”

Special Guest Speakers have included Neurologist Dr. John Dolan, D.O., to discuss new therapies in treating Dementia and Dr. Susan Wehry, M.D., a nationally recognized keynote speaker and workshop facilitator on depression, dementia, and healthy aging.
We know that there is a loss of abilities throughout the disease process but there are also many abilities that remain. Learning how to tap into what remains can provide caregivers with the tools they need to support themselves and the person they are caring for. Caregiving for a loved one with dementia can be overwhelming. We strive to provide the support and education you need to care for yourself and your loved one living with dementia. We welcome you to join us on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:00 PM.

“Dementia does not rob someone of their dignity; it’s our reaction to them that does.” —Teepa Snow

Susan Raychard, MOTR/L, CDP, PAC Trainer

MOTIVATE at Home and The Cedars

Posted by Megan Davis

MOTIVATE stands for Maine’s Oral Team Based Initiative: Vital access to education. This program is free
and reaches a new audience of caregivers/care partners of older adults that reside at home. The content
of this program was modified from a similar, existing evidence-based program for the health care team in
nursing homes. The results of that program are now published in the Journal of Public Health Dentistry.

The MOTIVATE at Home program provides free education. The program teaches older adults, caregivers,
and health care professionals the importance of oral health and what their role can be for promoting
oral health for their older adult living at home, even if they don’t provide hands on care.
This program was funded by the CareQuest institute for Oral Health.

The majority of the program is web based and offers 24/7 access to online education in the form of
videos, tip sheets, audio recordings and oral health resources. The program also includes a quarterly
live, Zoom series titled Ask the Dental Expert which provides learner with face-to-face time with dental
experts.

The Cedars is proud to be partnering with Maine’s Oral Team Based Initiative and hopes to continue to
spread the message and support our residents. Good Oral Health = Overall Health
https://lunderdineen.org/program/motivate-transforms-oral-health-in-long-term-care/

Telehealth Intervention Programs for Seniors (TIPS)

Posted by Megan Davis

The Cedars senior living community in Portland, in collaboration with the Westbrook Housing Authority and University of New England School of Nursing, proudly announces the launch of Telehealth Intervention Programs for Seniors (TIPS), an innovative initiative designed to enhance social connection and improve health and wellbeing among Maine’s older adult population.
The kick-off presentation took place last Friday at the Robert L. Harnois Apartments, Westbrook Housing Authority. The program is directed by The Cedars’ Sue Dionne-Jones, VP of Nursing!
TIPS offers weekly health checks from a licensed nurse such as blood pressure, oxygen levels, pulse, etc.
“The Cedars views TIPS as a proactive measure to empower older adults to maintain independent living at home while significantly enhancing their well-being and community involvement,” said Kathryn Callnan, President and CEO of The Cedars. “By addressing both medical and social needs, we anticipate a reduction in hospitalizations, rehospitalizations, emergency room visits, and improved housing stability; ultimately leading to lower healthcare costs.”
This initiative not only seeks to improve health outcomes but also to create a more connected and engaged older adult community. We are proud to support TIPS and the local communities!

Portland Conservatory of Music at The Cedars!

Posted by Megan Davis

In the fall of 2022, the Portland Conservatory of Music and The Atrium at The Cedars started what has grown into a beautiful musical relationship.

 

Faculty, student groups, and soloists from PCM perform on the 2nd Tuesday evening of each month to the gracious and engaging members of The Atrium. The music ranges from instrumental soloists to collaborations such as flute and violin, music from the Middle East on traditional instruments, classical and Spanish guitar, cello duets, string trios and quartets, and fiddle and accordion.

Here is what some of the PCM faculty members have to say about their experience performing: 
“It was such a fun and fulfilling experience! The space is beautiful, I look forward to my next opportunity to perform there!”
“The audience was very receptive to our performance. They enjoyed the explanation of each piece and composer which added to the overall experience” 
“There is no substitute for the experience of live music both for the performers and the listeners. It is a privilege to honor and share, it with such a gracious and attentive audience.”
“The residents at The Atrium truly appreciate everything we play for them and for the musician it is so rewarding to bring music to their homes. This is why we become musicians, for experiences like these.”

The members of The Atrium at The Cedars rave:
“The talent that comes from The Portland Conservatory of Music is always outstanding!”
“We are so lucky to have them (PCM) come each month!”
“The Portland Conservatory of Music exposes us to unique music. We look forward to who shows up each month!” 
“Learning and hearing new instruments, such as the Lute, was educational and interesting.”

Both PCM and The Atrium at The Cedars are thrilled to continue to bring concerts to The Atrium at The Cedars on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. If you would like to attend one of our monthly concerts at The Atrium at The Cedars, please email Megan Davis, Lifestyles Manager and Marketing Assistant mdavis@thecedarsportland.org as seats are limited.
The Portland Conservatory of Music welcomes all to their many concerts held throughout the month in their newly renovated performance hall! Please visit their website to view upcoming events!  

A special thank you to Amy Hunter, Program Coordinator for PCM along with Michael Lund Ziegler, Executive Director for being so willing and dedicated to bringing the members of The Atrium at The Cedars amazing concerts, and of course the ever so talented faculty and students of PCM!

Portland Conservatory of Music: Where Everyone is a Musician! 

LeadingAge Standing Ovation Award Winner, Jenna Perkins, CNA-M

Posted by Megan Davis

We are SO excited that our very own Jenna Perkins, CNA-M, has been honored with the LeadingAge Maine & New Hampshire Standing Ovation Award! Jenna was given the Benjamin G. Elder Memorial Award for Excellence in Service at the LeadingAge Conference yesterday with her parents and Cedars’ leadership there to support!

Jenna truly exemplifies what it means to be a team player and her compassion is palpable. “She is a team player and so willing to help. Jenna’s end goal is always excellent patient care.” states Nursing Administrative Coordinator, Debra Russell. Jenna puts the residents first and truly defines the practice of person-centered care. Jenna joined The Cedars as a CNA in long-term care in 2017 and has continued her education enrolling in an Associates nursing program this past fall.

We could not be prouder of Jenna and know she will continue to grow and thrive in her field, touching the lives of so many along the way with her positive and kindhearted dedication.

The Cedars truly is better because of you! 🏆

 

The Cedars recognized as an Age-Friendly Health System – Committed to Care Excellence

Posted by Megan Davis

Did you know that The Cedars is recognized by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement – IHI as an Age-Friendly Health System – Committed to Care Excellence. The Cedars is recognized by IHI as a leader in this rapidly growing movement committed to care of older adults that is:
• Guided by an essential set of age-friendly, evidence-based practices across the 4Ms (What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility);
• Causes no harms; and
• Is consistent with What Matters to the older adult and their family.
This is an exciting movement and there is much to be proud of as, together, we improve the health and health care of older adults.

Bates College Music Program

Posted by Megan Davis

Bates College students have started a music program for residents of The Cedars over the three-month spring semester. The students will develop and implement enriching and engaging musical programs each week that inspire our residents to explore their musical artistic capabilities and form social connectedness within their communities. Students will share their passion for music while providing residents the opportunity to actively participate, make choices, and express their musical artistic capabilities through educational classes, presentations, creative composition, and interactive performances. The first goal of this program is to provide student musicians the opportunity to bring their musical artistry to older adults, practice their music in a unique real-world setting and cultivate reciprocal and mutually beneficial partnerships with older adults. The second goal is to provide older adults an intergenerational experience by providing opportunities for older adults to share their artistic capabilities, wisdom, creative insight and life experiences. Each program will be tailored to each communities’ abilities.

 

Bates College | Lewiston, Maine

Music & Memory at The Cedars

Posted by Megan Davis

Music & Memory started with the understanding that music is deeply rooted in our conscious and unconscious brains. It becomes even more important if the functioning of the brain is deteriorating, as occurs in dementia and other types of cognitive and physical loss. Music can awaken the brain and with it, the memories that are associated with familiar songs.

The Music & Memory program helps people who suffer from a wide range of cognitive and physical challenges to find renewed meaning and connection in their lives through the gift of personalized music. The approach is simple and effective: Music playlists – containing the beloved songs from a person’s formative years – tap deep memories long attached to the brain and can bring listeners back to life, enabling them to feel like themselves again, to converse, socialize, and stay present.

Music & Memory has been a part of The Cedars since 2014, when our Activity Professionals were certified to lead the program and use it to help support our residents to help them feel connected not only to their past but keep them connected with the present. This past month, with our newest building, Sam L. Cohen fully opened; the program is being integrated to our new Activity team for use in their respective communities. Nick Viti, MOTR/L, CDP, PAC Certified Trainer was certified by Music & Memory and has seen first-hand the benefits of using the program. Once we know what our residents enjoy musically, with the aid of a questionnaire or simply being close to the resident, headphones (or a small speaker if headphones may be an irritant) are given to the resident as to not tether them to a single space. 

We happily continue our partnership with the Music & Memory Program to enrich the lives of our residents at The Cedars through music.

Visit their website: Music & Memory (musicandmemory.org)

 

Chaplain Services at The Cedars

Posted by Megan Davis

Under the auspices of Spiritual Care Services of Maine, Sally Thomas has been providing chaplain services at The Cedars since June of 2023. She visits each of four Cedars neighborhoods once a month, offering both one on one pastoral care and group conversation. In each neighborhood she works with the Lifestyles Managers to help her understand what might be interesting or useful and then makes plans for conversation for each setting. Like many chaplains she knows, much of her training was gotten in a medical setting–in her case, during the many years she worked as an RN in oncology.

Her monthly visits to the Atrium follow a pattern: first she checks with participants giving each a chance to share what’s on their mind; then she presents a story, usually with material props of some kind, to provide a basis for spiritual conversation. (At a recent meeting, in telling an ancient Hebrew parable about a traveler in the desert who stops by an abandoned well, she brought sand, carefully wrapped and spread on a cloth, along with a miniature well and bucket.) Her goal is always to provide a welcoming environment that supports sharing about those existential human matters that are both ordinary and significant.  And she is always open to guidance from participants about their needs and interests.

 

Tucker’s Taphouse Partnership with The Cedars

Posted by Megan Davis

The Cedars is excited to announce a new partnership with Tucker’s Taphouse, a small micro-producer of maple syrup with 115 taps located around the southern part of the state, but boiling in Norway, Maine. Together we will explore the art of maple syrup producing while tapping the trees on The Cedars campus! Tucker’s Taphouse will be presenting at The Atrium and Hoffman Center on March 8th to hold an interactive lecture on all things MAPLE for The Cedars residents. From tap to collection to boiling and finally finished syrup.
Our residents will have special opportunities all month to see the demonstration of tapping of the trees on the grounds of The Cedars and even help participate in the tapping process! 
 Tucker’s Taphouse: Crafted in Maine, Sustainably Harvested, 100% All-Natural Maple Syrup.