Announcements
Take Charge of Your Health Program to be offered
Aging Care Connections will offer the Take Charge of Your Health program for people managing chronic illnesses. The program will be held on Wednesdays from August 18 through September 22 at10 am to 12:30 pm at Salerno’s Restaurant, 9301 W. 63rd Street, Hodgkins. The program is free, but registration is required. Please call 708-354-1323 to register.
The “Chronic Disease Self-Management Program” created by Stanford University is a series of six sessions taught by two trained class leaders. Research has demonstrated the effectiveness of the program in improving the health outcomes of participants over time. The topics covered in the series are: coping with fatigue; frustration, pain and isolation that may be related to ongoing health conditions; exercising to maintain and improve strength, flexibility and endurance; using medications; communicating with family, friends and health professionals; practicing good nutrition; and evaluating new treatment options.
This program is made possible through a grant from the U.S. Administration on Aging via the Illinois Department of Public Health.
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Early Stage Memory Loss Support Group
The Early Stage Memory Loss Support Group is an eight-week program designed for individuals diagnosed with early stage Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia, and their family members and friends. Group sessions will offer participants the opportunity to explore what memory loss means to them and to learn ways to: cope with changes, maximize strengths, enhance communication, and plan for the future. The groups provide education, emotional support, and social interaction in a safe and supportive environment. Participants will meet in two separate groups –those experiencing memory loss in one group, and family members/friends in another. Individuals will have the opportunity to give and receive support from those in situation similar to themselves.
DATE: Wednesday afternoons beginning in mid-September
REGISTRATION: An interview is required prior to registering. For more information, contact Ruth Folkening at 708-354-1323 x 28.
LOCATION:Aging Care Connections, 111 W. Harris Avenue, La Grange, IL 60525
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Evening Caregiver Support Group
If you are interested in attending an evening support group for caregivers, please contact Ruth Folkening, the Caregiver Specialist at Aging Care Connections, at 708-354-1323, extension 28. A new caregiver support group will be formed if enough caregivers are interested in attending an evening group. Aging Care Connections has several active support groups for caregivers, but none of these groups meet in the evenings. Aging Care Connections recognizes that not all caregivers are available to attend a support group which meets during the day. We are committed to supporting all caregivers.
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Leslie Keiling's Public Service Announcement and Annual Appeal Message
Leslie Keiling of WGN Radio voiced a public service announcement promoting Aging Care Connections which airs on Avenue 950 AM Radio. Listen to the announcement. View Leslie Keiling's Annual Appeal letter.
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Aging Well Honors Volunteers and Celebrates Integration with Aging Care Connections
Aging Care Connections’ Aging Well program, a partnership representing 20 communities in the Lyons, Riverside and South Proviso Townships area comprised of hundreds of older adults and more than 130 community based-organizations, recently held its annual meeting at the Riverside Golf Club.
Three volunteers: Velaine Carnall, co-chair of the Countryside Community Action Team; Patricia Dime, co-leader of the Hodgkins/McCook Community Action Team; and Mark Zavagnin, vice president of student services and head football coach at St. Joseph High School who has created intergenerational opportunities for students and older adults to work together to address aging issues in Westchester, were recognized with distinguished Aging in Excellence awards for their substantial commitment to the partnership and the well-being of the community’s aging population.
Ken Grunke, director of philanthropy and external relations at Aging Care Connections, highlighted the integration of Aging Well into the programs offered by Aging Care Connections and welcomed participants. Jim Durkan, executive director of Community Memorial Foundation and co-chair of the Aging Well Governing Council, spoke congratulating the attendees on the many ways they have cooperated to create communities where people can “age well.” Debra Verschelde, executive director of Aging Care Connections, concluded the evening by emphasizing how the commitment and hard work of Aging Well participants has helped and will continue to strengthen the community.
In reference to the integration of the Aging Well project with Aging Care Connections, Verschelde further stated, “By supporting Aging Care Connections and its Aging Well program, together we can ensure that a greater number of older adults and their families have access to quality long-term care and supportive services that meet their changing needs as they age, and that allow them to maintain their independence in the community.” A video showcasing the accomplishments of the Aging Well Community Action Teams since their inception was previewed. Some of the signature accomplishments were: the Lock Box program, which allows emergency personnel to have access to the homes of older adults; the creation of a resource directory for older adults in Hinsdale and Burr Ridge; and the walk for health program sponsored by La Grange/La Grange Park Community Action Team.
Formed in late 2001, volunteer-driven Community Action Teams have been working locally to create elder-friendly communities from the project’s inception. In 2004, Aging Well received a grant from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation through its national program, Community Partnerships for Older Adults. The grant enabled Aging Well to engage in an 18-month planning process to develop a community-based, grassroots strategic plan to expand and enhance long-term care and supportive services for older adults. These services include any assistance that provides older adults and their families with support to meet their changing needs as they age.
The integration of Aging Well with Aging Care Connections was undertaken to insure its viability and sustainability in the community after the funding through the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant ended in April, 2010. This integration is “a natural fit with Aging Care Connections” said Verschelde. “Our missions go hand in hand.”
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Early to Mid-Stage Dementia Exercise Program
For Those Experiencing Memory Loss and Their Caregivers
Who: Caregivers and Older Adults
When: Every Friday, 10:00am-10:45am
Where: Aging Care Connections
(formerly Southwest Suburban Center on Aging)
111 West Harris Ave., LaGrange
Cost: $56 per couple per six week session. Please call 708-354-1323 to register.
See RIght Fitness Class Flyer for more details.
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Weinberg Foundation Funds Aging Care Connections Consortium Project
The Trustees of The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Inc. have authorized a two-year $250,000 Program Grant award to Aging Care Connections, La Grange, on behalf of the Illinois Transitional Care Consortium (ITCC) to support the development of a social work-based transitional care service model that ensures the safe transition of older adults and their caregivers across the health care system and promotes successful reintegration into the community.
Consumers who are supported by this model as they transition from the hospital to the community will experience reduced caregiver stress, reduced emergency room visits and re-hospitalizations, and increased older adult and caregiver satisfaction. On-site assessment and access to community-based services through dedicated Aging Resource Centers on-site at hospitals will also reduce the time between discharge and start of community services and will divert consumers from unnecessarily going into nursing homes.
ITCC is comprised of three community-based service providers, Aging Care Connections, Shawnee Alliance for Seniors, and Solutions for Care; an older adult program department located
within a medical center, Older Adult Programs at Rush University Medical Center; a health policy and research group, Health and Medicine Policy Research Group; and Susan J. Altfeld, Ph.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago.
The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation allocates the largest portion of its grants budget to the support of older adults. No other American foundation of similar size has emphasized care for poor older adults to this extent. The Foundation’s major goal continues to be provision of help to older adults to live dignified, meaningful, and engaged lives in the community and to maintain their independence for as long as possible. The Foundation makes grants to support low and moderate income older adults in the United States, Israel, and the former Soviet Union.
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IN MEMORIAM —
Fred “Fritz” Ploegman, 1923-2010
Recently, Aging Care Connections lost a strong leader, a committed advocate of elder rights and a good friend. At 86 years of age, Fred Ploegman, better known in the community as “Fritz”, passed away on Monday, July 5 at his home in Indian Head Park. With 39 years of service on the Aging Care Connections’ Board of Directors, Fred was the only remaining original Board member left serving. He chaired the Transportation Committee and sat on the Personnel and Facilities Committees. According to Debbie Verschelde, Executive Director, Fred was very instrumental in securing the agency’s bus, currently operated to help transport seniors daily to medical appointments, to pick up medications and groceries, and to access other critical services. Always looking for an opportunity to help, Fred consistently championed the interests of staff, believing that strengthening the core of an agency results in the delivery of the most effective services. He was a panel member for “Embracing the Change”, serving as an example of how older adults can age well. Fritz also made a tremendous contribution to the success of Sports Ball, the agency’s premier fundraising event, by being instrumental in inviting celebrity athletes he met throughout his career to appear at the gala as honored guests. In 2008, Fred was honored with the prestigious Community Service Award at the Annual Luncheon.
Fritz’s passion for ensuring that older adults remain independent in their communities contributed to our mission living on, strong and true. Fred “Fritz” Ploegman will be truly missed by all of us.
Following is an excerpt from the Chicago Tribune obituary on Thursday, July 8, 2010:
“Even in high school, Fred "Fritz" Ploegman was a closer. The only junior starter on the team, Mr. Ploegman sank a free throw with seven seconds left in the game to lift Morton High School's basketball team to the 1941 state title, 32-31, over Urbana High School.
Mr. Ploegman, who was elected to the Illinois Basketball Hall of Fame in 1986, went on to oversee parks and recreation departments in Berwyn and La Grange for a combined 37 years. Mr. Ploegman, 86, died Monday, July 5, in his Indian Head Park home after a struggle with myeloma.
After high school, Mr. Ploegman served with the Army infantry during World War II. He fought in Italy, the invasion of southern France and crossed the Rhine River under heavy fire, in the process earning two Purple Hearts. His war injuries required two surgeries — one at a field hospital and a second aboard a hospital ship — and resulted in a nearly yearlong stay at a U.S. Army hospital.
Mr. Ploegman was head of parks and recreation for Berwyn and later La Grange during periods of growth for both communities. During his 15 years in Berwyn, Mr. Ploegman led the drive for a city swimming pool. His La Grange tenure, from 1967 to 1989, saw the creation of new parks and major improvements to existing facilities. In 1990, a field at Sedgwick Park in the west suburb was renamed Fritz Ploegman Field.”
To read the full obituary, please visit: http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-07-07/features/ct-met-0708-ploegman-obit-20100707_1_parks-purple-hearts-army-hospital.
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Take Charge of Your Health Program
Early Stage Memory Loss Support Group
Evening Caregiver Support Group
Leslie Keiling's Public Service Announcement and Annual Appeal Letter
Aging Well Honors Volunteers and Celebrates Integration with Aging Care Connections
Early to Mid-Stage Dementia Exercise Program
Weinberg Foundation Funds Aging Care Connections Consortium Project
IN MEMORIAM — Fred “Fritz” Ploegman
NEWSLETTERS
January-March 2010
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