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Delicious Pumpkin Recipe for the Season

November 7th, 2017 by

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

October 13th, 2017 by

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

August 10th, 2017 by

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’

June 6th, 2017 by

 

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

May 8th, 2017 by
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

April 28th, 2017 by

 

“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

Older Mainers thriving despite low levels of personal satisfaction, study shows

February 2nd, 2017 by

As noted in the Bangor Daily News on Saturday/Sunday, December 24-25

By Meg Haskell, BDN Staff


A recent state-by-state survey ranks Maine 20th in the nation in the overall well-being of its older residents, up from 33rd in last year’s report. But Maine falls short in some areas, including seniors’ sense of purpose and personal satisfaction in life, the report said.

Developed through a partnership between the Gallup research and polling organization and Healthways, a national healthcare and wellness improvement company, the 2015 State Well-being Rankings for Older Americans is one of six studies included in the annual State of American Well-Being report. It uses self-reported telephone polling data from 2015 and the first quarter of 2016 to measure respondents’ satisfaction in six broad areas.

These areas are: purpose, defined as “liking what you do each day and being motivated to achieve your goals;” social, or “having supportive relationships and love in your life;” financial, “managing your economic life to reduce stress and increase security;” community, “liking where you live, feeling safe and having pride in your community;” and physical, “Having good health and enough energy to get things done daily.”

Mainers 55 and older ranked high — the the top quintile, nationally — in the Community category, and in the lowest quintile in the Purpose category, indicating a low level of personal satisfaction with daily life. Maine’s Physical, Financial and Social well-being scored in the second, third and fourth quintiles, respectively. Maine’s overall score of 63.8 points reflects an increase of 13 points over last year’s report.

Of the 50 states, Hawaii ranked highest in the overall well-being of its older citizens and West Virginia ranked lowest.

Len Kaye, director of the University of Maine Center on Aging, said the report raises concerns about older Mainers’ social and emotional health.

“Our low scores on the purpose and social dimensions suggest that too many older Mainers may be grappling with a real sense of social and psychological disequilibrium,” Kaye said. Especially in rural areas, older Mainers may be shut off from the stimulation of daily activities and from opportunities for meaningful social and civic exchangement, he said.

“It suggests that the risk of social isolation remains a perplexing and unresolved problem for older adults living in small towns and rural communities,” Kaye said.

The larger report on American well-being across all age groups also shows that Maine ranked poorly — 31st among the states — in having a high incidence of diabetes and obesity.

Repeated efforts to reach a spokesperson at the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention for comment on the report from a public health perspective drew no response. But Dr. Dora Anne Mills, vice president for clinical affairs at the University of New England in Biddeford and the former director of the Maine CDC, said that while the report’s methodology may be flawed by an inadequate sample size — about 400 respondents from Maine — and other factors, health rankings like this reflect important realities for all Mainers, including seniors.

“Seniors … want to live in a healthy state, since if more people in our communities are healthy, then [seniors] are more likely to be healthy,” Mills said. Also, it’s important for older Mainers to feel that their children and grandchildren live in a state with “a higher chance of living and living healthy,” she said.

Generally, Americans over 55 seem to be in better shape than their younger counterparts, according to the report authors. They are more satisfied with their standard of living and less worried about money than younger adults. Older Americans are also more likely to have health insurance and access to health care, to eat a healthier diet, to smoke less and to report lower levels of stress and anxiety.

The report can be viewed online at healthways.com/populationhealth.



Setting A New Standard for 
Active Adult Living in the Mid-Coast


BARTLETT WOODS

A Lifestyle You Can Afford!



Home Care Cost Vs. Bartlett Woods


HOME CARE COST 
(Based on US Census & Maine statewide average)

Property Tax & Insurance   $300

Utilities   $300

Meals & Food   $199

Home Repair   $175

Lawn Care/Plowing   $200

House Cleaning   $100

Auto Upkeep & Gas   $150

24 Hour Home Security   $135

Home Based Care   $3,000
(120 hours per month @ $25.00 per hour)

Monthly Cost   $4559.00



BARTLETT WOODS COST


 Property Tax & Ins. - Included in the rent

Utilities - Included in the rent

Meals & Food - Included in the rent (2 meals per day)

Home Repair - Included in the rent

Lawn Care/Plowing - Included in the rent

House Cleaning - Included in the rent

Auto Upkeep & Gas - Transportation Within the Community

24 Hour Home Security - Included in the rent


      Monthly Cost   $3223.00 (Based on 1 BR, single occupancy with amenities)

                              
For more information call Mary Eads, Executive Director 
(207) 594-1163

 

Embracing the Season

December 8th, 2016 by

The crisp mornings and chilly evenings have me inventorying my supply of rugged socks and faithful sweaters.  It’s not quite time to rummage for the boots and mittens, but that will come shockingly soon.  Right now it is enough to add warm layers, an extra blanket on the bed, and to surrender to the awe that is a New England autumn.

Being a native Floridian, I have often felt the magnificence of brazen hardwoods and October sunsets, was more than my heart could bear.  Not only too beautiful, but a poignant farewell to summer and a bracing acceptance of the months ahead.  That said, I would never trade this astonishing display of nature’s pallet for continual warmth and southern comforts.

Even with the cozy, cloistered environs of Bartlett Woods we will feel the season shift.  Maneuverability out-of-door will soon become more challenging.  The briefer the hours of sunlight will have more difficulty penetrating our homes and our bones. In our psyches and our postures will be protecting ourselves, curling inward like a leaf.

It is a good time to remind ourselves to stand tall and to remain open.  It is a good time to create our winter reading list, acquire music that moves us, and to stay connected to friends and family.  It is also imperative that we keep our bodies loose and limber, our chest and lungs open and expansive. It is in this inbetween time, this change of seasons, that our immune systems are most vulnerable to disease.

The beloved Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hahn, once said that if we could take five deep breathes a day we could change the world.  I have seldom been able to get past the second breath before my chattering squirrel mind has wondered off to the next task, the next thing.  It is only with serious effort that I am able to complete a circuit of five conscious breaths.

If you are able to accomplish this easily, then I invite you to go one step further.  With each inhalation imagine pure rich oxygen traveling to your brain, eyes, heart, toes… A lovely breathing exercise I use to imagine ocean waves swirling in around my ankles, than surging out again.  Slow breath in, pause, slow breath out, pause.

I would further suggest you try to bring moisture into the dry winter air of your surroundings.  House plants, a wet towel left to dry over the shower curtain rod, a humidifier with distilled water, will all serve to moisten the air and to keep your lungs moist and pliable. Breathe in the steam and aroma of a nice cup of tea with your neighbor while sharing stories about the seasons of your lives.

Wishing you robust health,  Karen Jackson RN

Giving Thanks

November 30th, 2016 by

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with their loved ones.  It’s always been my favorite day to spend with family and friends.  For the first time in many years, all of our children live on the east coast, therefore my husband and myself were able to drive to Maryland to spend time with them and their families.  It was wonderful!

Our grandchildren were so much fun to hang out with! It was very heartwarming to not only learn of their interests but what they are thinking about at this time in their lives. When asked where they would like to go to grab some dinner one night, “SUSHI!” they all exclaimed at once.  What a different time we live in now, but I must admit I was very glad to hear the news and sushi it was.

During our drive back to Maine in all kinds of weather, I had time to reflect on all the things in this world that I am so, so thankful for and how important it is to not take any of our blessings for granted.  It is so easy to take a few minutes out of our busy day to say or think of all we have to be thankful for in our lives.  Simple, really and it feels so good and right, it’s sure to put a smile on your face.

So, before we run on to the next holiday with all of its hustle and bustle, please take a moment each day and say your thanksgivings quietly to yourself.  It will bring you great joy!

Cheers!

Mary Eads, Executive Director

Live Art

November 9th, 2016 by

How lucky we are to have “live art” all around us……

img_0858

 

Since the completion of our expansion and renovations in 2012, Bartlett Woods has partnered with local professional artists who are willing to display their visual art throughout our hallways, parlor, dining room and sun room. This collaboration would never have been possible without the guidance from one special person and friend; Pam Cabanas, a noted Friendship artist. Pam, acting as a curator for Bartlett Woods, has brought us reputable and acclaimed artists such as Sam Cady, Katharine Cartwright, Jane Herbert, Jean Kigel, Nat Lewis, Sally Louthridge, Kathleen Mack, Alan Magee, Dennis Pinette, Susan Van Campen, David Vickery, and photographer Jeremy Barnard who have all graced our facility with their wonderful creative works. This shared experience has enriched the lives of residents, families, visitors, and staff alike.

The relationship that I have witnessed between the people who live here and the artists has been one of genuine, mutual appreciation and respect. The art changes every January and it is very exciting around here. We celebrate the hanging of the new art on the last Saturday in February annually.

Currently on exhibit, we have a solo show by Maine painter Ronald Frontin. More than twenty major works by this extraordinary artist have graced our walls for close to a year. Frontin’s work carries on the tradition of American Realism stemming from the early nineteenth century.

If you have not yet come to view Frontin’s work, you still have time! Please stop by anytime between 9-5.

Mary Eads, Executive Director


Save the date:

Bartlett Woods Artist Reception

Saturday February 25, 2017   2PM-5PM

Open to the public and refreshments will be served.