In Good Company

The only way to do great work is to love what you do”

Steve Jobs

 

I have been very blessed to have found not only a job but a family here at Bartlett Woods.  There is no lack of positive feedback from the community about the wonderful place I work in, whether it is the residents who live here, staff, the family who comes to visit, doctors, or even transport drivers who take residents to their appointments, their words always so kind.  The work done here by our team of professionals is nothing short of amazing.

We have a fully staffed kitchen that not only puts out gourmet meals at dinner time but also caters our special events that happen throughout the year with such grace.  Their concern and love for each individual who lives and works here are just unlike anything I have ever seen in all my years of working in the healthcare field. No lack of attention is spared.

Our housekeeping team is phenomenal and I have heard nothing but compliments from the residents and community alike.  The thoroughness they provide within each inch of this building speaks for itself.  The attentiveness and tenderness they show to the residents and staff is something that still amazes me every day.

Although we are a retirement community we also assist with daily living skills when the time arises and our Resident Care team knocks it out of the park.  All it takes is to walk through the door here at Bartlett Woods and you will see what I am talking about.  The care and compassion that they show are genuine and truly speaks volumes about our level of care.

What would a retirement community be without a full schedule of activities?  With so many residents from so many walks of life, it truly takes talent to plan and execute activities so superbly, but our activities department pulls it off every month.  Assuring an idea comes to life is what they strive for and hit it on the mark every time!

We all know that a building with 58 apartments could not run efficiently without a special person who takes care of the everyday maintenance and needs of the residents.  Talk about dedication, our maintenance director has been here for around twenty years which includes the time he spent helping construct Bartlett Woods.  His mission is to assure the building is safe, maintained and the resident’s needs are taken care of in a timely manner.  His knowledge is unsurpassable and I often hear “What would this place do without Mike?”.

How many places can say they have a personal gardener?  We are pleased that we are one of them.  Each year we look forward to her once again gracing us with her presence and ability in the gardens that surround Bartlett Woods.  She is an artist with all things that grow.  With her impeccable timing of planting from April through October, we are always surrounded by beauty when we walk out the door.

Last but not least is our administration team who include our Business Office Manager/ Assistant Controller who deals with all of the financial goings on, our Admissions & Marketing Director who spend countless hours educating the community on who Bartlett Woods is and how we can help our aging population, our Director of Resident Care/RN  who somehow has all the answers and our Executive Director who takes great pride in assuring her Bartlett Woods team is educated, appreciated and feels powerful.

Being fortunate enough to work with this amazing team each and every day is something that you can only feel if you are

IN GOOD COMPANY

 

Cristine Gracie, Receptionist

The Age of Love

 

The Age of Love; a film by Steven Loring, which was shown at the Strand Theater last Saturday, ended up being a huge success.

The theater reached about 80 percent capacity with the majority of the attendees being women between the ages of 50 -80 years.

During the show, audible laughter was heard through-out along with a few emotional scenes that revealed the more tender side of love and loss.

 

Following the show, an estimated 30 people from the community, as well as Bartlett Woods, met for homemade pie and interesting conversation.

Many different points of view were expressed with a focus particularly on how to continue to move forward with this idea of how to inspire our local community members to engage in getting to know each other and possibly dating?

All brainstorming ideas were noted and it’s a project that Bartlett Woods would like to pursue in the near future with the 70+ age group.

 

Bartlett Woods has agreed to co-sponsor two more films with The Strand which will take place in May and September. Please keep an eye out for more information in our local papers.

 

See you at the movies.

Mary Eads

Executive Director

Eleven Days into January 2018

 

 

We are already eleven days into January in Maine!  We have experienced frigid temperatures along with heavy winds and a good amount of snow, but we “Mainers” know that it’s not over yet.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the folks that must endure these conditions to make life easier for the rest of us.  Thank you to all of the utility workers, mail carriers, DOT, all delivery personal (especially the pharmacies who deliver to our seniors), snow plow drivers, fire, police, and ambulance personnel.  You keep us warm and safe and for that we are grateful.

An additional thank you to our local commercial fisherman who risks everything this time of year so we can enjoy a delicious seafood dinner in the warmth of our home.

Bartlett Woods wishes everyone a safe and healthy new year!

 

Mary Eads, Executive Director

Delicious Pumpkin Recipe for the Season

Everyone loves anything made with pumpkins this time of year.  Almost everyone, that is, but I must say I think everything imaginable now comes in a pumpkin spice flavor or scent beginning late summer.  It does seem to be bit much and takes away a little of the anticipation of looking forward to a homemade pumpkin pie around Thanksgiving.

Our wonderful kitchen makes everything from scratch and offers scrumptious meals to the people living here.  As the days get shorter, we enjoy the rich flavor of a warm soup with fresh bread from the oven.

Klarita Bicaj is one of many of Bartlett Woods hidden treasures.  In October 2013, Klarita won best overall dessert in a culinary challenge for healthcare facilities sponsored by Sysco Foods, Northern New England.  One of her specialties is a pumpkin cake roll which she bakes each year and we wait for with great excitement.  This confection that won “Best Overall Dessert”, that I would like to share with you, is a crowd pleaser and can be made the day before your event.

 Enjoy!  Happy Thanksgiving!!!

                                                                                                         

 

                                                                                                           Pumpkin Cake Roll                                                                                                       

3 Eggs

 1 Cup Sugar

 2/3 Cup Pumpkin

 3/4 Cup of Flour

 1 tsp Baking Powder

 2 tsp Cinnamon

 1/2 tsp Ginger

 1/2 tsp Nutmeg

 1/2 tsp Salt

 

Filling

1 Cup Powdered Sugar

3 oz. Cream Cheese

4 tabs Butter

1/2 tsp Vanilla

Beat until smooth

 

                   

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Beat eggs, sugar, and pumpkin with a mixer on high speed for 5 minutes. Stir in flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt. Spread evenly into a greased 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan; line with wax paper. Top with a layer of chopped nuts. Sprinkle a thin, cotton kitchen towel with powdered sugar.
Bake for 15 minutes. Immediately loosen and turn cake onto sugared towel. Carefully peel off the paper. Roll up cake and towel together, starting with narrow end. Cool on wire rack.  Carefully unroll cake. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake. Reroll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.

 

Mary Eads, Executive Director

 

A new day at The Art Center

Resident Constance Kiermaier launches her first Community Art Class

A new art class has been launched in our first-floor Art Center under the leadership of resident artist Constance Kiermaier.  Adult students from the Midcoast community will study drawing, painting, collage, color theory, and more.  The class remains small so that each student has an opportunity to learn and grow.  The first-floor Art Center includes classroom, library, a kitchen for water and easy cleanup, bathroom and a hallway gallery to show student work.

Our Art Center is the brainchild of artist/teacher Constance Kiermaier. Launched in 2017, the project originally provided art instruction to residents of Bartlett Woods exclusively.  Their finished works were hung in the hallway gallery for all to see.

Art making has been an important aspect of our year-round Activities Program.  We regularly support and celebrate all the arts – visual and performing – through in-house concerts, talks, exhibitions, and classes.  Now, we mark the beginning of an additional class for non-Bartlett Woods residents.  Exciting!

Additionally, Ms. Kiermaier is showing her own multimedia work in the first-floor spaces at Bartlett Woods until the end of December 2017.  Look for our next art exhibition opening in February 2018.

As we creatively reinvent the standard of retirement living, we hope you’ll stop by soon and see the beautiful fruits of our labor.

 

Written by guest blogger

Lori Schafer, Admissions & Marketing Director

                               

The List Every Senior Living Caregiver Should Have

By Susan Saldibar

https://www.seniorhousingforum.net/blog/2017/1/12/list-every-senior-living-care-giver-should-have

 

You have a mom in an assisted living or memory care community. She has arthritis with chronically aching joints. She has good days and bad days. You read an article or two about nutrition and foods that help reduce inflammation and foods that aggravate inflammation. You assume that the community your mom lives in: a) has all that information and b) is consistently infusing your mom’s healthy diet with the right foods.

Now, flip over to the community side. How would you respond to a family member who read such an article? Do you have your own lists readily on hand to assure the family that you are doing everything possible to keep mom moving and on her feet for as long as possible?

Foods can help and foods can hurt. Do your caregivers know the difference?

The truth, according to Shane Malecha, Clinical Specialist with Aegis Therapies, a Senior Housing Forum partner, is that, while everyone wants to do the right thing, there are still plenty of sedentary seniors who won’t stand for fear of falling and won’t move for fear of disturbing their aching, inflamed joints. That lack of activity, as we know, can lead to more serious health issues which, in turn, can lead to hospital readmissions and even a lawsuit if negligence is suspected.

“Most caregivers and nutritionists are aware that certain foods and vitamin supplements can help aging muscles and joints,” says Shane. “What happens is that, between visiting relatives and special dinners and events, it’s easy for even those on special diets to get off track.”

Here’s the point that Shane wants senior living communities to understand. Foods really can help. And they really can hurt. Aegis works with communities to help ensure they are using foods as part of their nutritional plan for residents struggling with arthritis and other discomforts associated with joint inflammation.

Here are the lists Aegis recommends you have on hand and use consistently:

6 Best Foods for Arthritis:

  1. Fuel up on Fish: Because certain types of fish are packed with inflammation-fighting omega-3 fatty acides, experts recommend at least 3 to 4 ounces of fish, twice a week. Omega-3-rich fish include salmon, tuna, mackerel and herring.
    Great for: rheumatoid arthritis
  2. Step Up to Soy: For those residents who are not fish-eaters. Heart-healthy soybeans (tofu or edamame) are also low in fat, high in protein and fiber and an all-around good-for-you food.
    Great for: rheumatoid arthritis
  3. Opt for Oils:  Extra virgin olive oil is loaded with heart-healthy fats, as well as oleocanthal, which has properties similar to non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs. But it’s not the only oil with health benefits. Avocado and safflower oils have shown cholesterol-lowering properties, while walnut oil has 10 times the omega-3s that olive oil has.
    Great for: rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis
  4. Bet on Broccoli: Rich in vitamins K and C, broccoli also contains a compound called sulforaphane, which researchers have found could help prevent or slow the progression of osteoarthritis (OA). Broccoli is also rich in calcium, which is known for its bone-building benefits.
    Great for: osteoarthritis
  5. Go Green (Tea):  Green tea is packed with polyphenols, antioxidants believed to reduce inflammation and slow cartilage destruction. Studies also show that another antioxidant in green tea called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) blocks the production of molecules that cause joint damage in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
    Great for: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis
  6. Nosh on Nuts: Nuts are rich in protein, calcium, magnesium, zinc, vitamin E and immune-boosting alpha linolenic acid (ALA), as well as filling protein and fiber. They are heart-healthy and beneficial for weight loss. Try offering your residents walnuts, pine nuts, pistachios and almonds.
    Great for: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis

6 Worst Foods that Can Cause Inflammation:

  1. Sugar:  It may be hard for residents to resist desserts, pastries, chocolate bars, sodas, even fruit juices. However, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition warns that processed sugars trigger the release of inflammatory messengers called cytokines. Sugar goes by many names, so look out for any word ending in “ose,” e.g. fructose or sucrose on ingredient labels.
  2. Saturated Fats:  Several studies have shown that saturated fats trigger adipose (fat tissue) inflammation, which is not only an indicator for heart disease but it also worsens arthritis inflammation. Pizza and cheese are the biggest sources of saturated fats in the average American diet, according to the National Cancer Institute. Other culprits include meat products (especially red meat), full-fat dairy products, pasta dishes and grain-based desserts.
  3. Refined Carbohydrates:  White flour products (breads, rolls, crackers) white rice, white potatoes (instant mashed potatoes, or french fries) and many cereals are refined carbohydrates. According to Scientific American, processed carbohydrates may trump fats as the main driver of escalating rates of obesity and other chronic conditions. These high-glycemic index foods fuel the production of advanced glycation end (AGE) products that stimulate inflammation.
  4. MSG:  Mono-sodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavor-enhancing food additive most commonly found in prepared Asian food and soy sauce, but it can also be added to fast foods, prepared soups and soup mixes, salad dressings and deli meats. This chemical can trigger two important pathways of chronic inflammation, and affect liver health.
  5. Aspartame:  Aspartame is a non-nutritive, intense artificial sweetener found in more than 4,000 products worldwide. It is a neurotoxin, which means it affects the brain. If a resident is sensitive to this chemical, his or her immune system will react to the “foreign substance” by attacking the chemical, which in return, will trigger an inflammatory response.
  6. Alcohol:  Alcohol is a burden to the liver. Excessive use weakens liver function and disrupts other multi-organ interactions and can cause inflammation. It is best eliminated or used in moderation.

Before you say “nothing new here”, ask yourself this: Are you consistently infusing the diets of your arthritic residents with foods that are known to help reduce inflammation? How often are you letting them “cheat” with foods that may aggravate their condition?

Consistently reinforcing residents’ diets with foods from the “best” list and just as consistently avoiding those from the “worst” list just might make for a healthier resident. And it just might keep that 87-year old resident moving just enough to avoid another bed sore and postpone their dependency on pain medications.

Rack up enough of these “just mights” just might add up to a healthier, more mobile resident community.

Kiermaier shows ‘Art at Bartlett Woods’

 

ROCKLAND — Bartlett Woods Retirement Community is proud to present a one-afternoon-only “Art at Bartlett Woods” artist exhibition and walk-through Saturday, June 10, from 2 to 5 p.m.

Artwork created by resident and artisan Constance Kiermaier will be showcased. Kiermaier is a collagist, box maker, printmaker, painter and teacher whose works of art have been shown from New England to New York City.

Following the tour, there will be a question and answer session with Kiermaier. Light refreshments and beverages will be served. Bartlett Woods is at 20 Bartlett Drive, off Talbot Avenue. This event is free and open to the public.

As published in Courier Publications’ A&E Editor Dagney C. Ernest on June 01, 2017 

 We are very happy to invite the public to our summer long show featuring Constance Kiermaier.

Mary Eads, Executive Director

 

The 20 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2017 From remote hideaways to coastal harbors, discover the towns that topped our list this year

smithsonian.com


Rockland Harbor Breakwater Lighthouse (shakzu / iStock)


Your favorite small town probably doesn’t look quite like how Norman Rockwell drew it. Small towns may be united by their modest population sizes, but they’re remarkable for their diversity of character. And so for the sixth-annual round of Smithsonian.com’s America’s Best Small Towns, we set out on a quest to find 20 great slice-of-life (and if you’re Rockland, Maine, also award-winning slice-of-pie) small towns full of unique flavor

To help us on our task, we once again consulted geographical information company Esri (which sorts towns with a population under 20,000) to identify tiny towns chock full of local culture, history and natural beauty. We then narrowed down our list to pinpoint the destinations that are especially worth making the trip to this year—whether they’re celebrating a special birthday, commemorating a famous resident or happen to be smack on the path of the “Great American Eclipse.” ​

Our top 20 picks range from the well-traveled to the offbeat, but each town shares a special something that makes it ripe for discovery in 2017. Happy travels!

Rockland was first called Catawamtek by the Abenaki people. The word means a “great landing place” and it’s a sentiment that still rings true today for the many who seek out the charming fishing community. During your stay, check out the local businesses on the town’s beloved Maine Street. There you can learn about Maine’s “sea parrots” at the Audubon’s “Project Puffin” and catch a show at the historic Strand Theatre. Afterward, tour the lighthouse and soak in the natural beauty of midcoast Maine.

Rockland’s lighting has long made the picturesque seaside town a place for artists. This year, one artist in particular is getting the Rockland shine: Andrew Wyeth. In honor of the painters 100th birthday, Rockland’s Farnswoth Art Museum is hosting an exhibition that will include rare and privately held works, showing off the range and scope of the artist who never stopped being influenced by Maine.

Be sure to browse the rest of Farnsworth’s massive collection when you’re there—contained within its walls you’ll find an authoritative look at the development of art in the state. The museum pairs well with the forward-looking Center for Maine Contemporary Art and the First Friday Art Walk on Main Street, where the next Alex Katz just might be showing.

If you’re in Rockland for the summer, come for the famed Maine Lobster Festival. The five-day bash, which turns 70 this summer, started out as a local festival and has evolved into a huge tradition of great eats and giving back to great local causes.

If you can’t make it out for the crustacean celebration, never fear. The festival recommends getting your fix year round at The Lobster Shack or the The Landings. Lynn Archer’s Brass Compass Cafe, a Rockland staple, which is home to the mighty “King of Clubs” lobster club, is also worth saving room for. If you’re not squeamish, you can check out how your dinner makes it onto your plate by setting sail on a Rockland lobster boat tour.

Don’t leave Rockland without trying a bite of pie. The town didn’t earn the nickname “Pie Town USA” by the Food Network for nothing. The honor is thanks in large part to the “Pie Moms,” the mothers of the owners at the beautiful Berry Manor Inn who serve up a mean slice of mixed berry. You can try their pie along with plenty of others, savory and sweet, at Rockland’s annual pie-a-thon in January. For true believers, the Berry Manor, as well as the LimeRock and Granite historic inns offer packaged pie lodging specials to complete a pie-fect experience.

Read more: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/20-best-small-towns-visit-2017-180962925/#IxpZZEK78JCRQrcv.99

 

 

Art Walk

 

“Late Day by the Pier” by Björn Runquist
“Propane Run” by Alison Hill

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are very excited to announce that an Art Walk has been scheduled for Saturday, May 6th from 3:00pm to 5:00pm at Bartlett Woods to give the community further opportunity to view the beautiful art created by Björn Runquist and Alison Hill that continues to be displayed proudly on our walls.  There will be a walking tour with the artists, followed by a question & answer session and light refreshments prepared by Bartlett Woods own Chef Aaron.

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to our current artists Björn Runquist and Alison Hill for their graciousness in lending us all of these exquisite pieces of art along with the acting Bartlett Woods Curator Pam Cabanas, a noted Friendship artist, with whom none of this would have been possible.

We hope to see you May 6th!

Remember, feel free to visit Bartlett Woods, as the art is always available for viewing daily from 9-5.

Crissy Gracie, Receptionist