RidgePointe kicked off the 2012 Great Decisions Lecture Series with Guest Speaker Tom Hanson.

          Tom Hanson is a Foreign Policy Consultant and a former U.S. Foreign Service Officer whose postings included  East Germany, France, Norway, the Soviet Union, Sweden, and the former Soviet republic of Georgia. He also participated in the opening of new U.S. Embassies in Mongolia and Estonia. He worked on the foreign relations committees of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives and served as Director for NATO and European Affairs at the Atlantic Council of the United States in Washington, D.C. Currently Mr. Hanson is Program Secretary of the St. Paul-Minneapolis Committee on Foreign Relations, a member of MIC’s Great Decisions advisory committee, a frequent Great Decisions speaker, and a regularly featured commentator on Minnesota Public Radio.

          The subject of the talk was "Exit from Afghanistan & Iraq".   First how we came to be involved in the region; following the attacks of 9 - 11 there was a discussion as to what should be the response.   There were two schools of thought on the issue; one of counter terrorism and one of counter insurgence.   Afghanistan being the first point of response  it was to be one of counter insurgence.    When he decision was made to go into Iraq the same response was used.   The thought in both cases was that a government based on democracy could be established and that an army could be built to handle their defenses.   We are out of Iraq and things are not going well; much do to tribal conflicts.   After 10 years we still remain in Afghanistan; our exit is somewhat in question.  Two incidents have fueled the local call for our departure; first the burning of Korans and then the murder of civilians be a US soldier.   Again the same questions; will their armed forces handle afaris or tribal conflict take over.

          This leaves us with a question.   Will Iran become the become the new Middle East Problem?  

Here is another great reason to live at RidgePointe!

RidgePointe Exercise Classes

RidgePointe offers a variety of classes to improve activities for daily living. Safe, fun & effective exercises increase cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, balance and range of motion.  Whether you are new to exercise or familiar with it, all of these classes may be modified to meet your needs.

All the classes are taught by a certified Aerobics Professional who specializes in working with adults 62+.

Classes are held Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings and are FREE and Open to outside guests to join us!

8:45 – 9:30    Yoga/ stretch  - Available to men, women & outside guests

The Yoga/Stretch class begins with restorative breathing exercises.

After warming up muscles and joints, we move to a series of yoga postures which may be performed in a seated or standing position.  This class also offers poses to increase strength in our core muscles which improve balance.  The combination of movements enhance the flow of energy to mind and body.  We complete this class with a relaxation segment.  This segment may include positive affirmations, listening to music, or self massage. This class is a good way to have greater body awareness, acceptance and appreciation.  

9:30- 10:30   Men’s Exercise class

The Men’s class includes a variety of exercises designed to improve

muscular strength, range of motion, balance and increase cardiovascular

endurance.  Hand held weights, and resistance bands are offered for muscle conditioning.  A chair is used for seated and/or standing support.   Basic movements for upper and lower body are designed to give you a safe and fun workout.

The second half of this class is a fun & challenging bean bag game.

Balance, core strength, mental focus and sometimes “luck” are the components one  needs to be successful in this game.  Two teams compete in a fun atmosphere.

10:45- 11:30  Ladies Exercise class

Move to the music through a variety of exercises designed to increase

strength, coordination, agility and balance.  These skills are important

as they are required during activities for daily living.  Hand held weights &

elastic bands are available for strength conditioning . A chair is used for

seated and/or standing support. We safely move through a combination of upper

and lower body exercises. We finish with stretches to increase or maintain our

range of motion. We complete the workout with a relaxation segment

This is a fun, go at your own pace workout.

Living as A Community

Living as a Community

By Jeff Evenson, Managing Director

Living in a setting such as RidgePointe has many advantages.  To me, the social aspect of being in a community is one of the biggest benefits we provide.  Anytime humans interact, there is a chance for disagreement and discord.  I am proud of the way our community gets along and supports one another.

RidgePointe does not have many signs telling people what they can and cannot do.  That is by design.  We trust that the people who live here have integrity and a sense of responsibility for their actions which makes a list of do’s and don’ts unwarranted.  We are a civil community.  By considering how our actions affect others creates an atmosphere of understanding and cooperation.  That is why we appreciate our neighbors and why RidgePointe is the best place to live! 

RidgePointe with Feb. birthdays gathered in the East Lobby to kick off the birthday celebration with Happy Hour at 3:00.   Entertainment begin at 3:45 featuring the Makomis Quintet; this is a woodwind group playing classical music.    The birthday dinner was served in the Rose Room at 4:50.
 

Downsizing With Gentle Transitions

"For Better or Worse, a Later Life Move from the Family Home”

Written by Diane Bjorkman of Gentle Transitions Senior Move Management

After twenty-eight years of life’s work in senior housing, I continue to find that an older adult’s decision to move can carry with it the entire gamut of emotions but at some point involves a feeling of being overwhelmed.  My husband and I own a senior move management company, coordinating all aspects of moves for hundreds of seniors annually. Daily, we hear firsthand how our clients have come to the decision to make a move and the reasons are vast, including wanting less home maintenance responsibilities, a desire to be closer to their children, the need for a stronger support system, and wanting to secure a safety net for potential future health concerns, to mention a few. No matter how one comes to this decision, the factors that go into each individual’s scenario are always unique.

Active, vital seniors who have made a decision to move to independent senior housing, have made a choice to be proactive and move to a setting that will meet their changing needs.  Although the individuals that fall into this category are in control of their decision, there may still a number of aspects that make their transition difficult; sifting through a home of 50+ years, leaving “the old neighborhood” the comfort of familiar turf and family memories.

The families dealing with the decision to move related to diminishing memory capabilities carry a different set of circumstances in which sons and daughters often have the moving process of their parent land in their lap by default.  When family members find themselves in this situation, there may be a lot of emotion attached to the process.  Even when it’s in their best interest, there may be guilt involved in making decisions for one’s parent when mom or dad are resisting the decision being imposed upon them.

Moving can be exciting, joyful, and a relief from the burdens of home maintenance as well as stressful and emotional, and with the joy there may be feelings of loss that accompany the change.  During the course of my career, I’ve seen senior housing options expand multifold.  Years ago, the nursing home was the only choice.  Now there are townhomes, single level accessible homes, condominiums, senior co-ops, continuum of care communities, independent and assisted living and free standing memory care homes that create a semblance of family living.  In addition, there are ever expanding choices for staying in one’s home for much longer than in years past, with reverse mortgages, home health care, in-home companion and medical and non-medical home care.

Even though a career in the field of senior housing has become my life’s path, I can not say what my own choice will be if and when my time comes to make this decision but it’s wonderful to know there are state of the art services and housing options to meet the needs and demands of next year’s “older adult”.