Live at an Award Winning Community!
430 Oak Grove has been voted Best New Apartment Development in Loring Park by the StarTribune, AND awarded the 2013 Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Award!
Apply today and join our spectacular community! We know you’ll love summer living in Loring Park.
430 Oak Grove I A StuartCo Community
Enjoy Unique Charm at 430 Oak Grove!
It is amazing! The property is beautiful and has lots of unique charm. The staff is amazing and are always willing to help out when needed. The location is great- close to restaurants, grocery stores, coffee shops, bars and the park.
Many thanks to this 430 Oak Grove resident for taking the time to submit their thoughts about their new home. And we agree, the charm at this community is indeed very unique with over 29 floorplans. There is sure to be a floorplan that fits everyone’s needs! Have you visited this stunning community yet? We hope you’ll be able to stop by soon. Contact 430 Oak Grove at 430oakgrove@stuartco.com or via the web at 430oakgrove.com.
Congratulations March Employee of the Month-Mike Bergeron!
I enthusiastically nominate Mike for Employee of the Month!
I recently spent two full days with him inspecting 143 apartments at Maryland Park. Mike knew the name of every resident with who we came in contact and also their kids’ names, and for every resident he also had something to joke around with them about or ask them about. “Hi Mike!” was said by everyone we passed. He talked to everyone and it was obvious that they all love Mike! Everyone was warm with him, and I could tell that they all appreciate him – again, it was obvious! Mike genuinely treated everyone with respect, and he asked them about specific things he knew they were going through, whether it was related to their health or their kids, etc. Some of the residents who currently reside at Maryland Park have lived there since they were kids and Mike has watched them grow up, as he has been there for 15 years! We went into several apartments where the residents had no furniture. Mike would say to them, “Hey, if you guys are looking for furniture, the lady upstairs is leaving and she doesn’t want to take her sofa — do you want to take a look?” He is so thoughtful, and until now I did not know that Mike has such a huge heart!
He shows genuine concern for the residents who are in need. Also, while we were performing our inspections if he came across any work order he could quickly handle, he did. Or, if a resident mentioned to him that something needed fixing he made a mental note of it, and when we went back to the office he made sure to have a work order written so he could address it as soon as possible. Also, there were a couple of smoke detectors that were broken and couldn’t be repaired on-the-spot, so Mike told those residents he would be back by the end of the day and then made sure that he went back! Mike is conscientious about his work and is proud of the relationships he has with his residents – they are very important to him! Maryland Park can be a difficult property, and Mike is a great representative and a strong example of someone who truly cares about the residents. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Mike!
—Brenda Lunderby, portfolio director
In addition, Mike has also been nominated for this year’s MADACS Awards.
Maryland Park Apartments I A StuartCo Community
Self Care for Family Caregivers
“I don’t even have time to finish my caregiving tasks. Where do I find time to take care of myself?”
People who are caregivers often juggle a packed schedule that may include full-time work, family obligations, household chores, and volunteer commitments in addition to caregiving. Due to busy schedules, caregivers often ignore their own health and wellness, including their nutrition, medical, exercise, and socialization needs. As a result, caregivers often experience increased stress, sleep problems, and depression. These symptoms not only impact the health of the caregiver but can impact the quality of care provided to the care receiver. However, these symptoms can be relieved when you add taking care of yourself to the “to do” list.
As a caregiver, taking time for your own needs is easier said than done. What happens if you are caring full-time for someone who can’t be left alone? 24 hour care for a loved one can be stressful and draining. However, even when providing 24 hour care, it is possible to schedule time for self-care. To begin with, caregivers can try to set a regular “mini-break” while in the home. If the care receiver takes an afternoon nap caregivers can utilize this time for a relaxing bath, reading, browsing through a gardening catalogue, or to catch up with a friend by telephone. When there is so much that needs to be done caregivers are often reluctant to take this time for themselves. Many caregivers spend these free moments doing other related caregiving tasks, such as phone calls, paperwork, grocery lists, or calendaring. Caregivers who do take a “mini break” in their day are able to provide better care for the care receiver. Taking time for yourself is not selfish and recharges your energy and spirit to allow you to continue to provide care.
Another option for caregivers is to investigate their local respite options which provide a longer break from care. Respite can be provided formally through an organization or agency or informally through neighbors, family, and friends. Community organizations, home care agencies, and adult day programs can provide paid respite for a loved one for a few hours, an entire day, or even overnight. Many of these paid providers are also able to provide meals, showers, and other cares to reduce the workload of the caregiver. A longer break allows the caregiver time for social events, exercise, support groups, and other activities to enhance their mental, spiritual, and physical well-being.
Informal respite is a less expensive way for the caregiver to get some time away. Think about your support network and make a list of neighbors, friends, coworkers, members of a congregation or synagogue, and others that might be willing to assist with some caregiving tasks to alleviate your burden. Many caregivers do not like to ask for help. Alternately, many people who want to help have no idea what kind of help is needed. One way to address these issues and coordinate requests for help is to set up an online care team.
An online care team allows the caregiver or designated person to enter specific help that is desired onto a calendar. The caregiving tasks, including respite breaks for the caregiver, are added and people in the online care team can sign up to help. Activities can be one time, daily, or weekly and can cover a broad range of activities. Caregivers can add “Visit with mom from 4-8 pm” and use this time to take a break from caregiving. Other frequent activities might include transportation to doctor appointments, bringing dinner, grocery shopping, or organizing paperwork. Online care teams reduce the need for repeated calls from the caregiver to find help or for schedule changes. Medical or other updates can also be posted on the site by the caregiver or other online care team members. This saves time for the caregiver and keeps everyone in the online care team informed. Two frequently used online communities where you can set up your care team are www.carenextion.org and www.lotsahelpinghands.org .
Caregivers who make self-care a priority are happier, experience less stress, and are able to continue longer in providing care for their loved one. It is a win-win situation for the caregiver and care receiver.
Mary Cordell, LSW, Family Consultant, Eldercare Partners
2013 Stuart H. Nolan Scholarship Recipient
Sejla is the daughter of Greenfield maintenance lead technician Adnan (Ed) Sacic and his wife Alma. She is a 2012 graduate of Robbinsdale Armstrong High School and is currently completing her freshman year at the University of Minnesota, where she hopes to be accepted into the College of Pharmacy.
Sejla spent her high school years involved in a variety of extra-curricular and volunteer activities, including acting a Best Buddy to a disabled person, being a member of the Link Crew that helps freshman students on their first day of high school, and serving on the Student Activity Board that plans special events. At the U of M Sejla is involved with the Pre-Pharmacy Club, the Medical Reserve Corps, and the Student Advisory Board. She has also volunteered for Team McDaniel and the Ronald McDonald House.
Sejla’s family immigrated to the United States from Bosnia when she was four years old. They arrived with just a small amount of money and a big goal of achieving a better life. Ed & Alma worked very hard to achieve that goal for their family, and Sejla wishes to repay them by making the most of her educational and career opportunities.
Sejla was selected as this year’s Stuart H. Nolan Scholarship recipient from a field of five excellent applicants. This outstanding young woman has received a check for $2,000 to help offset her educational expenses, including tuition, books, meals, transportation, and other fees.
We congratulate Sejla and all who submitted an application; we wish you all success as you pursue your dreams!
Learn About Greenercising
We can choose to live green in many aspects of our lives, today we’ll learn a bit more about a term called greenercising.
Here are a list of ways to make working out a little more green:
- Enjoy the outdoors. Why not lace up a pair of running shoes and hit the pavement or trails for a nice walk, hike or run? There is nothing more green than spending time outside and breathing in the wonderful fresh air and enjoying the scenery. You can even do some interval training like lunges, squats, push-ups or hit your local park and play around on the monkey bars and park benches for a nice “this is what it feels like to be a kid again” workout! You would be surprised how good of a workout you can get with a park bench and some sand filled juice jugs!
- Make the gym a green experience. We know it may not be realistic to workout at home, so why not try to green your workout at the gym. If you feel like jumping on the treadmill set it at a high incline as to use less energy. Turn the TV off if no one is watching! If you also belong to a gym, try walking or biking to the gym instead of driving.
- Wear green. Everyone feels better and ready to tackle working out with a new outfit, but this doesn’t mean it has to hurt the environment. Trying buy clothing made from organic and/or recycled materials, but if the price tag is too hefty, second-hand could always be an option. You might find some great finds at a thrift store. There are many companies such as Patagonia that offer running shoes made with recycled materials and truly try to make a difference with their sustainable practices.
- Eco-friendly gear. You obviously need a bicycle to bike, and a yoga mat for yoga. There are many green options available; you just might have to look a little harder. PVC-free yoga mats are a great option and buying second-hand will lessen your impact on the environment. There are many websites that sell used exercise equipment such as bikes, and weights.
- Bring your own bottle. Millions of plastic water bottles are disposed of in landfills every year. There is no need to buy a new bottle every time you workout. Just have yours ready to be refilled at the gym or at home.
Information shared from this great resource.
The View at Long Lake has Reached Full Occupancy!
The View at Long Lake has reached full occupancy!
The leasing team at The View has officially reached full occupancy on this 124 unit building. Pre-leasing began in the Spring of 2012, and the Certificate of Occupancy was granted for July 1, 2012 move-ins. The property has been incredibly well received in the Northwest metro with an ideal location on Long Lake in New Brighton. Our residents are settling into their new homes and have been quick to embrace the luxury lifestyle provided with on-site fitness classes, cooking demonstrations, and scheduled events to get acquainted with neighbors.
But don’t take our word for it, see below for recent feedback from a resident of The View!
I moved in and was welcomed to The View last winter with snow-covered landscaping and glowing holiday lights. I have really liked it. But YESTERDAY I truly fell in the LOVE with the unique and truly amazing location of this property! The first beautiful day of the spring season, shiny new bikes, and two energetic kids ready to RIDE. We exit the underground parking, we take 1 step out the door, and there we are on the smooth SAFE bike path that seems to go on forever through beautiful Long Lake Regional Park: past a fishing dock, a playground, a beach, a drinking fountain, a picnic pavilion 2 more playgrounds…. endless bliss- I have never seen my kids so happy, and I have never felt so lucky to have a traffic free, nature filled safe world to help my family explore Minnesota! Nice Job View!
The View at Long Lake I A StuartCo Community
