the use of facilities and programs. There is a pool, fitness center, art studio and lifelong learning associated with a university. No matter how old a resident becomes, care is guaranteed. The building is predominantly independent living apartments at a total of 200. There are 39 assisted living suites; 17 memory care; and 36 private skilled nursing suites. The number of independent living suites may be due to the fact that even though there are more older people now, quality of life is better for longer periods of time. Brichacek says, “The decline in later years used to be more gradual. People are living longer and need long term care less than they used to. The end is more precipitous.” Twenty years ago the average age at The Admiral was 60 to 70. Now the average is 70 to 80 with declines happening well into the 80s if there are any. The Admiral is the oldest Chicago nonprofit organization dedicated to senior living. Founded in 1858, it was originally the Home for Aged and Indigent Females. After the Chicago Fire it became the Old People’s Home of the City of Chicago. In 1960 the organization purchased The Admiral Hotel south of the Edgewater Beach Hotel. For the new venture they are partnering with Kendal, another nonprofit with fourteen other communities. We’re all in this together
Despite the bombardment of grim economic forecasts, these trends seem to bode well for aging boomers wary of their future. Longer and healthier lives; aging in place; intergenerational support; technology making the linking of resources possible; and a growing movement of people who look out for each other is a plan. Resources Lincoln Park Village— lincolnparkvillage.org Northeastern Illinois Agency on Aging— ageguide.org The Admiral on the Lake— admiral.kendal.org Beacon Hill Village—beaconhillvillage.org Village to Village Network—vtvnetwork.org CHICAGO LIFE 29