Senior living center offers residents safe, residential
setting with all the comforts of home – and
beautifully decorated furnishings and inviting
common spaces to go with it
By Sarah Bestul
A
rlene Freeman, 82, relaxed in
a comfy patterned chair in a
front sitting room, book in her
lap, snowy hair perfectly in place. Her
choice of room was strategic: the sitting
room, casual yet stylishly decorated,
was just across from the dining room,
where lunch was about to be served.
I didn’t think I
would ever come
to a place like this
because I loved
my house, but it
is wonderful here.
I just adore this
place.
– Arlene Freeman
Across the foyer, a friendly receptionist
chatted with a steady stream of
residents who were going outside
for a walk on the grounds or to catch
the shuttle to the local shops, and
welcomed the visitors who were
staying for lunch with the residents.
It’s autumn in Minnesota, with anyone
coming or going wearing coats. Inside,
however, it was warm and smelled like
the freshly brewed coffee that’s always
available on the nearby refreshment
bar, as well as the cookies that are
an every-Wednesday treat. Freeman
leaned forward, and her brown eyes
sparkled as she spoke about moving to
Red Rock Senior Living.
“Oh, I’m so happy here, very happy,”
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she said of the Woodbury, Minnesota,
community. “I didn’t think I would
ever come to a place like this because
I loved my house, but it is wonderful
here. I just adore this place.”
She waved at a friend coming through
the door and explained that she came
to Red Rock, located about 15 minutes
east of St. Paul, in May. A fall prompted
her and her niece to decide that she’d
be better off in an assisted living
environment. Freeman said she feels
lucky to be settled at Red Rock.
“My niece thought the other place she
looked at for me was too large. She was
really surprised that I was happy with a
change,” she laughed. “You know, when
someone is older, they sometimes fight
change. But I thought it was just great
when I came here. I found my niche
here."
Jackie Juan, the executive director of
Red Rock, said the cozy atmosphere
has contributed to the community’s
success.