Aging Well Serving seniors
in La Grange and La Grange Park, Illinois
Aging in Place, a Handbook To download, click here Contact us agingwell2526 @gmail.com Team Leader Ralph Gutekunst 708.354.4296 Sponsoring Agency Aging Care Connections 111 W. Harris La Grange IL 60525 Aging Well Neighborhoods Alyson Scanlon Linda Hussey 708.354.1323 If you would like to be notified of updates to Aging in Place, please send us your email address. It will be used only to notify you of updates. |
Aging Well La Grange & La Grange Park is one of several Aging Well organizations serving the towns and villages of greater Lyons Township. Started with a grant from the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation in 2003, Aging Well LG/LGP has initiated and conducted a number of programs and activities to bring
awareness to, and directly benefit, the citizens of these two villages and the communities surrounding them. The key element in the Aging Well agenda is to help those who wish to stay in their homes as long as possible. This is known as "aging in place". Aging Well La Grange & La Grange Park is one of several Aging Well organizations serving the towns and villages of greater Lyons Township. Started with a grant from the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation in 2003, Aging Well LG/LGP has initiated and conducted a number of programs and activities to bring awareness to, and directly benefit, the citizens of these two villages and the communities surrounding them. The key element in the Aging Well agenda is to help those who wish to stay in their homes as long as possible. This is known as "aging in place".“Aging in Place” is what most seniors want to do. Many surveys have shown that a large majority of seniors would prefer to stay in their homes, especially if the alternative is moving to a senior-oriented residential facility. However, the desire to remain in one’s home and the reality of being able to do so are compatible only if people are willing to accept that staying in their own homes as they age requires some forethought. Fortunately, there are many agencies and companies, federal, state, local, non-profit and for-profit who want to help seniors fulfill their dream. But, the information and help that they want to provide can only be realized by those seniors willing to do their homework Aging Well La Grange/La Grange Park has prepared a handbook to help those who are considering aging in place versus moving to another, perhaps less demanding, home. We hope that the handbook will be an ongoing source of ideas and information that will be consulted, not just once, but with some frequency to see what resources exist in the community and whether they can supply the help needed to keep seniors aging in place over the yeas. The handbook has been kept on line rather than distributed as a printed document as it lis updated constantly. To read the Handbook, click on this "Download file" link. It will download to your desktop as a pdf document. |
Our programs
One Call
Magnetized card distributed by Aging Well to popularize the idea that "One Call" to Aging Care Connections can get one the information they need toward dealing with a social, health or financial problem.
Aging Well is under the aegis of Aging Care Connections, an agency that operates using federal, state and private funds. They provide extensive services and referrals to seniors and the disabled and their caregivers to aid clients in being as independent as possible within their communities. Aging Well has an ongoing program to promote awareness and knowledge of ACC so that individuals may be aware of their services and to deflect information requests away from less knowledgable individuals and specialized agencies. (708) 354.1323 to reach a counselor or advisor.
http://www.agingcareconnections.org/programsservices.html
http://www.agingcareconnections.org/programsservices.html
File of Life
File of Life pouch with magnetic strip and a sample form with important medical data to inform EMT personnel in the case of emergency.
The File of LIfe is a project of Aging Well for Seniors and others who want to have their medical records quickly available in case of an emergency. When Emergency Medical Personnel respond to a 911 call, before they can leave the scene for the hospital, they must gather certain vital information. Having this information in a recognizable form in a known place can save valuable , even critical time in transporting a patient. Aging Well is distributing these File of Life forms for a small donation to cover their cost. The form is designed as a convenient place to record vital information such as name, age, Social Security number, a short medical history and all current prescriptions. Space is also provided for the names and phone numbers of contacts such as one's primary physician, spouse, caregiver or children.
Along with the form, a short, wallet-sized form is included. Both forms come with a plastic sleeve for protection. The plastic sleeve for the long form has a magnetic strip on the reverse, allowing it to be affixed to the side of one's refrigerator. All Emergency Medical Personnel in La Grange and La Grange Park are trained to look there for the form.
Currently, Aging Well is developing a similar package for two other vital documents: Power of Attorney for Health Care and Do Not Resuscitate Orders.
Along with the form, a short, wallet-sized form is included. Both forms come with a plastic sleeve for protection. The plastic sleeve for the long form has a magnetic strip on the reverse, allowing it to be affixed to the side of one's refrigerator. All Emergency Medical Personnel in La Grange and La Grange Park are trained to look there for the form.
Currently, Aging Well is developing a similar package for two other vital documents: Power of Attorney for Health Care and Do Not Resuscitate Orders.
Community Hazard Alert
BNSF 103 car unit train carrying 1.5 million gallons of highly volatile crude oil going past Gordon Park in La Grange. Thirty such trains used to pass through La Grange weekly.
Aging Well was dedicated to raising consciousness regarding the rail shipment of millions of gallons of highly volatile crude oil passing through the two villages each week on the Burlington Northern Sante Fe and the Harbor Belt Railway. Aging Well developed a web page detailing the problem and suggested steps that could be made to reduce potential fatalities and damage in the event of a rail accident.
Fortunately, in the two years since the threat arose, the BNSF has increased their safety programs, local fire departments have received extensive training and the volume of Bakken crude being transported through the Village has been greatly reduced. While rail shipment of highly volatile crude oil is still dangerous, the threat to the communities of La Grange and La Grange Park has been greatly reduced.
Fortunately, in the two years since the threat arose, the BNSF has increased their safety programs, local fire departments have received extensive training and the volume of Bakken crude being transported through the Village has been greatly reduced. While rail shipment of highly volatile crude oil is still dangerous, the threat to the communities of La Grange and La Grange Park has been greatly reduced.
Home Safety Lockbox
A Lock Box is a secure box that attaches to the outside of a home and holds a key to the entrance to a home. The key to the lockbox, available only to the Fire Department, is used by them to gain access to a residence in case of an emergency. The program is ideal for seniors or other residents with special needs or requirements, especially those who cannot open the door because of infirmity or injury. Obviously, if there is a fire in the house, the Department can gain access, even if the residents are incapacitated or away.
It is extremely agitating when a door has to be broken into to reach an injured person who then has to contend not just with their injury, but also having their door boarded up and securing their home in their absence. The lockbox is cheap and easy in comparison.
To find out how to purchase and install a Lock Box, contact the La Grange Park Fire Department at 708-354-0225 ext. 351.
It is extremely agitating when a door has to be broken into to reach an injured person who then has to contend not just with their injury, but also having their door boarded up and securing their home in their absence. The lockbox is cheap and easy in comparison.
To find out how to purchase and install a Lock Box, contact the La Grange Park Fire Department at 708-354-0225 ext. 351.
- Senior Discount Program
Placard exhibited by La Grange and La Grange Park merchants taking part in the Senior Discount Day every Wednesday.
.Aging Well is working with the merchants and storekeepers in La Grange and La Grange Park requesting they provide Seniors with discounts. Over 30 merchants have responded They are pleased to offer discounts in various amounts to senior shoppers The photo shows an image of the sign merchants have placed by their doors to let you know they are participating. Aging Well encourages all, not just seniors, to trade with these merchants and asks that you comment favorably on their generosity when you are in heir stores.
Our Activities
Walk for Health
Walk for Heath, on of the first activities started by Aging Well in 2003, is designed to help seniors and other interested peo[e develop a healthy life style. On the third Wednesday of every month the Walk for Health attendees meet at the Park District of La Grange field house at 536 East Avenue in La Grange. In each month's program, announcements are made of coming events and activities in the area that are of interest to seniors. These are followedby a guest speaker who discusses new events and information about nutrition, exercise or health. Attendees are encouraged to walk in the large gym's heated/air conditioned padded walking track. Speed and distance are entirely optional. After the walk portion is completed, attendees enjoy light beverages, snacks and friendly conversation.
There is no fee and registration is not required. Ample parking is provided adjacent to the field house.
There is no fee and registration is not required. Ample parking is provided adjacent to the field house.
- Aging Well Month
StartingMay is the month dedicated to honoring Seniors across America. To aid in these celebrations, Aging Well sponsors activities during Celebrating Aging Well month each year. Starting inn 2017, Aging Well LGLGP, along with other groups and agencies presented programs throughout the month and celebrated the achievements of the many volunteers who supported senior-oriented activities throughout the year.
In May,2017, Aging Care Connections hosted a luncheon to honor the several dozen volunteers who were nominated for special recognition. Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, the now internationally known 95+ year old nun and n chaplain of the Loyola University Men's basketball team was the keynote speaker. The luncheon, held at the La Grange Country Club, honored 73 community GEMs–those who have Gone the Extra Mile.
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Aging Well LG/LGP featured large at the luncheon. Ralph Gutekunst, Team Leader, was accompanied by team members Janet Garreau, Executive Director of Interfaith Community Partners, an organization that provides seniors transportation, and Jim Matthews, the ten year force behind Walk for Health. (Click on thumbnails to see photo & caption.)
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In 2018, May has been celebrated as "Aging Well Month". Programs focusing on seniors were presented during the entire month at many venues throughout Lyons Township. Aging Well LG/LGP presented three panel discussions dealing with Aging in Place. Held on successive Fridays, May 4, 11 & 18 they were hosted by Presence Bethlehem Woods, Plymouth Place and Meadowbrook La Grange. Over 100 attendees discussed the physical, emotional and financial aspects of aging in place.
Aging Well LG/LGP has nominated Dick Best, a resident of Plymouth Place, as a GEM. (a senior who has Gone the Extra Mile).Dick has run the AARP income tax assistance program at Aging Care Connections for over ten years. He and his fellow volunteers have benefitted hundreds of citizens seeking help in completing their personal income tax forms. Dick and his fellow GEMs were feted at the annual GEMs luncheon at La Grange Country Club on May First.
For more information about Aging Care Connections and their services, call 708.354.1323. Interested in joining Aging Well LG/LGP? Call Ralph Gutekunst at 708.354.4296. Aging Well meets most months on the fourth Tuesday of the month in the Skyline Lounge on the 8th floor of Plymouth Place at 315 N. La Grange Rd. at 9 am. Call to confirm each month's meeting or ask to receive our email notices.
