Care | Services | Activities | Wellness Center
Spiritual Life | Pets

Diversity defines life at The Cedars retirement community. And supporting that diversity is an innovative philosophy of care and an entire network of services and facilities dedicated to meeting the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of our residents.

But perhaps most important, residents say, are the bonds forged among friends and staff.

Care

At the heart of The Cedars is a philosophy that guides everything we do. We call it "person-centered care."

It is placing the residents' convenience, habits and lifestyle above our convenience and schedules ... all without sacrificing our exceptionally high quality of care. Perhaps that's why our retirement community has won the PEAK Award – for offering a wide variety of choices and options to our residents. Read more about this innovative approach to resident care. (.doc, pdf)

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Services

• Pastoral care
  ... support and counseling by our chaplain who also leads services and Bible study (see more below)
  
  
• Activity / Volunteer services
  ... planning recreational and social activities for residents in all areas of The Cedars (see Activities below)
  
  
• Home health services
  ... provided by outside agencies to Cedars residents
  
  
• Transportation
  ... a handicapped-accessible van providing transportation to appointments and resident field trips ... primarily for assisted living and health care residents
  
  
• Dietetic services
  ... by our registered dietitian who plans meals for residents, including those with special diet requirements
  
  
• Short-stay
  ... a flexible program allowing Cedars residents and non-residents to recuperate and/or undergo rehabilitation in The Cedars HealthCare Center for a limited period of time before returning home ... and providing daycare or a short-term stay for those cared for by others
  
  
• Massage therapy
  ... administered by rehabilitation aides certified in therapeutic massage
  
  
• Hospice services
  ... total support services for the dying as contracted for through hospice programs in nearby communities
  
  
• Volunteers
  ... providing a variety of services, such as transportation,
  letter-writing, yard work, companionship and more

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Activities

What isn't offered at The Cedars? Our diverse activities are available for anyone who's interested. All are optional.

Check out these fun activities:

• Outings ... even out of town
  
  
• Daily group exercise to music
  "We may kick around a big ball, and usually end up doing the hokey-pokey," said the activities director of the
  HealthCare Center
  
  
• Book clubs
  
  
• Sing-alongs
  
  
• Manicures – twice a week!
  
  
• Chapel and Bible study
  
  
• Bingo – at least twice a week – and always with snacks!
  
  
• Birthday party every first Wednesday of the month
  
  
• Men's and ladies' coffee groups
  
  
• Movies
  
  
• Crafts
  
  

• Bake-offs
  
  
• Carnivals and special events planned by resident groups
  ... HealthCare Center residents planned a humdinger of a carnival with food, games and other activities
  
  
• Theme parties, such as a Hawaiian luau or Mexican fiesta
  
  
• Impromptu social gatherings among residents
  
  
• Residents' sharing
  ... residents swap stories about their lives, share a poem or read aloud about someone in history they admire
  
  
• Presentations by the McPherson Museum
  
  
• Visits from community groups
  ... diverse, from musicians to daycare children who come to share a story
  
  
• Reading or book tapes
  ... for residents who can't see well enough to read ... we'll offer to read to them, or give them books on tape
  
  
• One-on-one time between a resident and a staff member
  
  
• "Memory Lane"
  ... to facilitate conversation with their visitors, volunteers and staff, residents are encouraged to place a scrapbook about themselves in their rooms. This can contain information about the resident's background, family, interests, etc. It serves as a great conversation-starter and enables residents and others to become better acquainted and perhaps forge closer relationships.

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Wellness Center

When completed, the Wellness Center will offer to all residents special facilities and programs designed to address all aspects of "wellness" — physical, social, intellectual, emotional and spiritual.

By working on health goals before disease strikes, a wellness center is a cost-effective, compassionate approach to helping residents live life as fully as possible.

Studies have shown that increased physical activity in advanced age reduces osteoporosis and other complications of musculoskeletal disease.

Attention to the other components of wellness can contribute immeasurably to an individual's quality of life and feelings of fulfillment.

Contributions from the community, staff, residents, foundations and companies raised $2.4 million to build the center. Click here for a list of donors (pdf) to the Wellness Center.

Program planning and final facility design are next on the horizon! Watch this space for further developments!

Now check out the floor plan.

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Spiritual Life

The Cedars welcomes and encourages those of all faiths and beliefs, whether or not they are part of an organized religious group.

For those who care to participate in spiritual activities at The Cedars, we offer a variety of activities as well as general support and counsel for all residents and staff.

Residents are not required to participate in such activities, although for many they provide an added dimension to life at The Cedars.

Events related to spiritual life include:

• Chapel services every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9:30 a.m. in the HealthCare Center Chapel. These 30-minute services include music and a speaker, usually members of the local Ministerial Alliance or pastors from churches where our residents worship. Lay speakers sometimes share life experiences.
  
  
• Bible study Tuesday mornings for The Courts (assisted living) residents. This 30-minute session includes study and discussion.
  
  
• Bible study twice a week in the HealthCare Center. A chaplain meets Thursday afternoon with a small group for Bible study. A volunteer brings a variety of lessons to a Friday morning session with a larger group.
  
  
• A memorial service once every six months for residents who have passed away in previous months. Family members, residents and staff are invited to join this service.

We also provide pastoral care for all those hospitalized. Although numerous spiritual activities are offered at The Cedars, residents are encouraged to remain connected to their own congregations as much as possible.

Some local churches provide communion and small-group experiences in The Cedars Chapel or other facilities on campus.

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Pets

Pets contribute enormously to our quality of life. They are faithful, devoted companions, and can ease our stress.

Pets are allowed throughout The Cedars campus. Dogs and cats may live with their owners in The Village (independent living) and The Courts (assisted living and Family Care Center).

Cats may live with their owners in the HealthCare Center. Staff and family members bring dogs for regular visits with the residents.

Pets often can reach through to our dementia residents when no one else is able to do. As one staff member said, "Sometimes you just see the light bulb go on in their heads when they're petting a cat."

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1021 Cedars Drive
McPherson, Kansas 67460

Phone: 620-241-0919
Fax: 620-241-0254
E-mail: cedars@thecedars.org

© 2008 The Cedars