Programs prevalent to help seniors 'live today'
By Patrick Hensley, executive director, Senior Services Center of Will County
The month of May was celebrated as Older American’s month. It was a time to honor older adults for their wisdom, talent and experience.
The theme for this year's Older American’s month, as set by the National Council on Aging, was, “Living today for a better tomorrow." The theme focused on prevention and programs that help maintain the older adult’s health and independence.
There are many programs and services that help to keep older adults active, healthy and independent and in their own homes for as long as possible. One of these programs is the state of Illinois’s Community Care program.
The Community Care Program can provide a homemaker to come into a senior's home to do chores, such as laundry and house cleaning, that the senior is no longer able to do, but with which they can remain in their own home.
When the older adult is assessed for the community care program, case managers also look at other benefits and services that may be available to the senior.
Another service that is available is the nutrition program. There are two parts to the nutrition program – there are community dining sites and the home-delivered meals (Meals on Wheels) programs.
Seniors come to the community dining centers for a hot noon meal five days a week. Often, there are activities and opportunities for socialization at these sites.
The home-delivered meals program provides a hot noon meal to homebound seniors five days a week. These meals help to maintain the seniors health and keep them independent. These meals are delivered by volunteers throughout the county.
Many times the contact with the volunteer is the only contact that senior will have with another person. The volunteer also lets the nutrition providers know if they see a change in the senior's health etc., so it is a reassurance program as well.
For seniors who are in the nursing homes and their families, the Long Term Care Ombudsman program provides information to them on facilities and resident’s rights, as well as being there as an advocate for the senior.
There are many social recreational activities that help to keep the seniors active and involved, as well as preventative health screenings. These programs may take place at a senior club at a church or a local senior center.
There are also many volunteer opportunities for older adults to become involved in. They can deliver meals, help at local senior centers or local schools. By their involvement, they are “living today for a better tomorrow” in our local communities.
Let the older adults of the community know that you appreciate their efforts.
For more information on services available in Grundy County, call the United Way of Grundy County at (815) 942-4430.
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This article was submitted by Patricia Hensley, executive director of the Senior Services Center of Will County. For more information on the Center, call (815) 723-9713 or visit the Center’s Web site at willcountyseniors.org.
