OTT_Retirement Communities_072223

RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES

Do you have limited income and are in search of an a ordable and nice place to live?

The Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) programs provide a ordable housing to over 1600 families in our community. Stretching across LaSalle County, HALC owns and operates more than 1000 units of a ordable housing.

Section 8 vouchers are available in both Grundy & LaSalle Counties. Program participants can use their Section 8 vouchers in the private market with participating landlords. This is a great way to get the assistance you need while having the exibility to nd a location near desirable neighborhoods, school districts, places of employment, or communities of choice.

Public Housing provides families, seniors, singles, and people with disabilities the housing assistance they need to live in a safe, a ordable and well maintained home.

• We have rents as low as $50 a month, based on income, and deposits starting at $100.

• Small pets are permitted in most locations.

Applications for public housing and lottery applications for Section 8 Housing Authority programs can be obtained at our o ces in:

• Ottawa: Central HALC O ce, 526 E. Norris Dr.

• LaSalle: Centennial Courts, 2222 N. Tonti St.

• Streator: Evans Heights, 1401 N. Otter Creek Rd.

• Streator: Fornof Manor, 606 E. Morrell St.

Evergreen Place Supportive Living (Streator)

Supportive Living at Evergreen Place

If you are searching for a compassionate senior care community, look no further than Evergreen Place Supportive Living in Streator. Our community provides compassionate care and support to seniors in a beautiful setting with a variety of upscale amenities.

What is a supportive living community, and how does it differ from the more commonly understood assisted living option? The answer is quite simple – the services, amenities and care are all exactly the same. The only difference is that supportive living communities, like Evergreen Place in Streator, work with select insurance plans, Medicare, Medicaid and Veterans programs. The supportive living program in Illinois accepts a broader range of benefits and payment options so as to make senior living options an affordable and realistic option for every senior. Assisted living communities accept only private pay and long-term care

insurance.

The services at a supportive or assisted living community are for seniors who want to maintain their independence while also receiving some assistance with activities of daily living. Residents live in their own apartments within the community, but have help and support from the Wellness Team available at any time.

The Wellness Team provides personalized care services that are dependent upon the resident’s individual needs and preferences. An evaluation that includes the potential resident’s physician will determine the level of care that is appropriate. Supportive living believes in an interdisciplinary approach: all departments work together to provide seamless communication and care to residents and their families.

Residents are free to come and go as they please, in fact, many residents still drive their own cars. Building maintenance teams take care of the upkeep of each apartment, so

residents have the freedom to spend their time doing activities and hobbies they love, rather than changing light bulbs or air filters.

Today’s supportive and assisted living communities boast restaurant-style dining, giving residents options for their meals and the ability to provide recipes and input to the Culinary Team. Lifestyle Enrichment programs provide activities that are focused on resident’s interests. Ensuring that resident continue to live a rich and fulfilled life is an important part of the culture at Evergreen Place. We are also a pet-friendly community, allowing residents to bring their beloved companions with them.

Evergreen Place is committed to assisting residents in living life their way.

If you would like to learn more about supportive living or Evergreen Place, please call us today at (815) 822-6524, or visit our website at www.EvergreenSLC.com/Streator.

Standard services available at Evergreen Place and other assisted or supportive living communities will include:

• 24-hour Wellness Support

• Routine medication management

• Discreet Personal Assistance

• Three nutritious meals each day, served restaurant style

• Housekeeping services

• Laundry Services

• Senior-friendly transportation

• Social Activities and engaging programming

How to make bathrooms safer for seniors

“Danger” might not be the first word to come to mind when individuals consider their bathrooms, but perhaps it should be? After all, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that each year more than 1.5 million aging adults visit emergency rooms for fallrelated injuries, many of which occur in the bathroom.

Many falls and spills that occur in the bathroom can be prevented. Seniors or their loved ones can make some minor adjustments to bathrooms so falls are less likely to happen.

• Install grab bars in the shower and bath and elsewhere, as necessary. Grab bars make it easier for aging men and women to get into and out of the shower or the tub by giving them something to hold onto. This can be especially helpful for seniors who must step up and over their tubs to bathe. Though they’re primarily used in showers and tubs, grab bars also can be installed alongside toilets for seniors who could use a little help

sitting down and getting up from their toilets. AARP notes that sheltering arm grab bars provide the best support around toilets. Such grab bars come around both sides of the toilet and look similar to armrests.

• Install LED lighting. Poor lighting in a bathroom can make it hard for seniors to see, which can make them more vulnerable to slips and falls. That’s especially so for seniors who find themselves making frequent bathroom visits overnight. Even bathrooms with seemingly adequate lighting may be dangerous if they feature dated light fixtures that rely on incandescent bulbs to light the room. Incandescent bulbs burn out with greater frequency than LED alternatives, which can last for years. The longer bulbs last, the less often seniors need to change them, which also reduces their risk for injury. In addition to replacing traditional fixtures with LED alternatives, individuals can plug in LED night

Enjoy Life to the Fullest

Let us make sure you have a nancial plan in place that helps you enjoy your life to the fullest. We o er top-notch service and advice you need to build a plan that ts your unique goals and objectives. Trust. Integrity. Mutual Respect.

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lights that make it easy to see when making nighttime visits to the bathroom.

• Utilize non-slip bath mats. Non-slip bath mats often utilize rubber-backed liners to ensure the mats stay put even when floors get wet or damp from condensation after a hot bath or shower. Non-slip mats can be placed where individuals will enter and exit the shower and even by the toilet and sink so individuals always feel steady on their feet.

• Clean bathrooms regularly. Bathroom surfaces can grow

slippery from soap scum, condensation and previous spills. Prompt and routine cleaning can reduce the likelihood that seniors will fall in their bathrooms. Seniors who have difficulty keeping up with household cleaning can hire a cleaning service or ask a younger relative to help them keep their bathrooms clean and safe.

Seniors can fall anywhere in a home, but may be more likely to do so in a bathroom. Various measures can help make bathrooms safer for aging individuals.

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What seniors can do to safeguard their mental health

No one is immune to issues that can adversely affect their mental health, including men and women nearing retirement age and those who are already retired. Though the term “golden years” suggests life in retirement is one sunny day after another, many individuals 60 and older are dealing with mental health issues.

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 15 percent of the world’s adults aged 60 and over suffer from a mental disorder. What makes that statistic even more troubling is that the WHO acknowledges it likely doesn’t paint the most accurate picture of seniors and mental health, as depression is often

undiagnosed among older men and women and untreated because it co-occurs with other issues affecting seniors.

In the past, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has acknowledged that late-life anxiety was not readily understood. However, much progress has been made in recent years thanks to a heightened awareness of the problem of seniors and mental health. That means seniors now have ample resources they can look to as they seek to learn what they can do to safeguard their mental health.

RECOGNIZING WARNING SIGNS

The National Institute of Mental Health notes that recognizing the signs of mental health issues is the first step to getting treatment. Mental health issues vary, and individuals with anxiety will likely experience different symptoms than those with depression. But the NIMH notes that the following are some of the warning signs of mental health issues.

•Noticeable changes in mood, energy level, or appetite

•Feeling flat or having trouble feeling positive emotions

•Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much

•Difficulty concentrating, feeling restless, or on edge

•Increased worry or feeling stressed Anger, irritability, or aggressiveness

•Ongoing headaches, digestive issues, or pain

•Misuse of alcohol or drugs

•Sadness or hopelessness

•Suicidal thoughts

• Engaging in high-risk activities

• Obsessive thinking or compulsive behavior

• Thoughts or behaviors that interfere with work, family, or social life

• Engaging in thinking or behavior that is concerning to others

• Seeing, hearing, and feeling things that other people do not see, hear, or feel

SEEKING HELP

As noted, a growing awareness of mental health issues and how they affect seniors has translated to more available resources for aging men and women who need

help. Within the United States, seniors can visit the NIMH Help for Mental Illnesses webpage (https://www. nimh.nih.gov/health/findhelp) to access contact information for various groups that help people in times of mental health crises. In Canada, individuals can visit the Canadian Mental Health Association at https://cmha.ca/find-help/ find-cmha-in-your-area/ for contact information for various groups across the country.

BEHAVIORS THAT CAN BE BENEFICIAL

The National Institute on Aging notes that most cases of depression cannot be prevented. However, the NIA also notes that healthy lifestyle changes can have long-term benefits of seniors’ mental health. Such changes include:

•Being physically active

•Eating a healthy diet that can reduce risk for diseases that can bring on disability and depression

•Getting adequate sleep, which for seniors is between seven to nine hours per night

•Remaining socially active, including regular contact with friends and family

•Participating in activities you enjoy

•Sharing mental issues or concerns with friends, family members and your physician Research indicates that seniors are vulnerable to mental health issues. More information about how to combat and overcome such issues is available at nimh.nih.gov. TF232668

Libe y Village

What sets Liberty Village apart from the rest? When searching for a new place to live, we often ask ourselves, is this apartment right for me? Do I like the location? Does it have all of the features I need? Can I afford it?

We understand that when it comes to a move, it can be a bit overwhelming. That is why the staff at Liberty Village in Streator goes the extra mile to help ease your worry by working with you and your family to answer all of your questions, discuss options, and make the move in a smooth transition.

The Estates at Liberty Village are apartments designed for the independent adult with their future in mind. The campus is designed to support an active lifestyle while living independently. As a tenant, you would enjoy the space that comes with the options of 1 or 2 bedroom apartments which includes full kitchens, large senior friendly bathrooms, and spacious walk in closets. Parking is convenient with optional garage rental.

The Liberty Lifestyle allows you to enjoy the freedom from maintaining the responsibilities of homeownership. With all maintenance and housekeeping included, you can sit back and enjoy the clean and beautiful surroundings without a day lost doing it yourself. Cooking can be placed on the back burner, with 2 delicious restaurant style meals served daily. You can enjoy more time with friends and family or taking those long awaited vacations. Living the Liberty Lifestyle means staying involved and engaged in the life you love and the things you enjoy.

We take pride in offering a safe and welcoming home environment to our Tenants and family. Being located on the Northwest side of Streator, we are just minutes away from local shopping, restaurants, physician offices, and adult activity centers, yet we’re far enough out of the city center that we’re surrounded by lush wooded areas and the slower pace of the suburbs.

We set the standard for quality, independent retirement living at an affordable rate. Please be our guest for lunch and a tour so you can experience firsthand what Liberty Village has to offer.

For more information, call 815-672-1900 or go to your webpage at www.libertyvillageofstreator.com

Combine amazing service, great friends and security and you’ve got the perfect recipe for all the comforts of home.

Make an appointment to come visit us soon.

LIBERTY ESTATES

Elegant retirement apartments offering our tenants freedom, comfort, convenience and affordability

HAWTHORNE INN

Assisted living services for those who enjoy an independent lifestyle but may need assistance and reminders in daily activities

3 fun and e ective outdoor exercises for seniors

The benefits of spending time in the great outdoors are significant. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, spending time outdoors may improve mental health and help to reduce stress, and the vitamin D the body absorbs while outside can have a positive effect on blood cells and the immune system.

Seniors can benefit from the great outdoors as much as anyone. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, which strengthens bones. That’s especially beneficial for seniors, as the National Council on Aging notes that bone density often decreases after age 50, which can increase the risk of fractures. That’s especially so in women over the age of 50, as a 2021 report from Amgen, Inc., indicated women can lose up to 20 percent of their bone density within five to seven years of menopause.

Spending time in the great outdoors also provides a social benefit, encouraging individuals from all walks of life, including seniors, to get out of their homes and spend time with other people. With so much to gain from spending time outside, seniors can

consider these three outdoor exercises as they seek to maintain or improve their overall health.

1. Walking: Walking is free and effective. In fact, WebMD notes that a brisk 30-minute walk can improve blood flow, contribute to a stronger heart, strengthen bones, and even help people sleep better at night. In addition, a 2022 study published in the journal JAMA Neurology found that people between the ages of 40 and 79 who walked about 9,800 steps per day were 51 percent less likely to develop dementia than people who didn’t walk much at all.

2. Cycling: Riding a bike is both fun and a great form of outdoor exercise. Though many studies regarding the health effects of cycling have looked at the value of riding a bike to work, a scenario that does not apply to retirees, the results of such studies still offer insight into just how valuable it can be to ride a bike. For example, a 2020 study published in the journal The Lancet found that people who cycled to work were 24 percent less likely to die of heart disease and 11 percent less likely to develop cancer. Seniors,

whether they are still working or retired, can incorporate cycling into their daily routines and enjoy all the fun and health benefits that riding a bike provides.

3. Hiking: Hiking is a bit more strenuous than walking, particularly when individuals choose to traverse steep and/or rocky terrain. WebMD notes that hiking after age 60 can help people reduce their risk of falls and fractures; lower their risk for a host of ailments, including coronary heart disease, colon cancer and diabetes; reduce blood pressure, even in adults who have already been diagnosed with hypertension; and maintain healthy bones and joints. Hiking is not a one-size-fits-all activity, so seniors, especially those who would characterize themselves as novice hikers, are urged to speak with their physicians prior to hiking trails that are not flat.

Seniors can consider these three fun activities and others as they answer the call of the great outdoors. Walking, cycling and hiking offer a great reason to get out of the house and reap the health-related benefits of spending time outside.

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Dating later in life

People are living longer, a reality that can be traced to a number of factors, including advancements in medicine and greater dissemination of information regarding preventive health care. According to data from the United Nations Population Division, the average life expectancy in the United States is 81.65 for women and 76.61 for men. Canada has even higher life expectancies, at 84.74 for women and 81.15 for men.

As people live longer, some may outlive their significant others and ultimately find themselves once again interested in sharing experiences with a special someone. Seniors ready to re-enter the dating pool may find that things are quite different from what they experienced as naïve teenagers or young adults. Dat-

ing used to be about hanging out with friends and meeting people at shared events, such as school dances or work parties or even while enjoying a night out with friends. Nowadays, dating often begins in cyberspace. This can be confusing and anxiety-inducing for adults who didn’t grow up with technology guiding their every move.

According to a report in The Atlantic, more than one-third of baby boomers are not currently married, and this generation has had higher rates of separation and divorce and lower rates of marriage than the generations that preceded them. Many boomers have years ahead of them to devote to new relationships. Here’s what they may want to know before navigating twenty-first

century dating waters.

• You’re not in this alone. While online dating may be portrayed as a young person’s game, plenty of older adults are now finding connec tions online. In fact, many different dating apps are geared toward the senior set, including SeniorMatch, eHarmony, Singles50, OKCupid, and Silver Singles, among others.

• You have more time for fun. As a senior, you may have more time to devote to recreation and leisure. This can be a great opportunity to get out and meet someone who shares your passions and interests.

• Online dating has its advantages. While online dating apps and websites may have certain things working against them, particularly if their algorithms for pairing people are

not

be helpful. Online dating can expand social circles beyond local neighborhoods or even states, provinces or countries. You’re casting your net over a much larger body of water. Furthermore, dating app profiles typically spell out exactly what another person is seeking, which can save seniors from having to revisit awkward dating moments from years past.

Seniors may have to navigate new waters in modern dating. But with a good mindset and a little persistence, it is possible for seniors to find a special someone in cyberspace.

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SMALL TOWN

CHARM

Pleasant View is a friendly place with a welcoming spirit. We bet you already know someone enjoying our easygoing lifestyle and exceptional care — just a few of the reasons so many choose Pleasant View — Ottawa’s only Continuing Care Retirement Community.

Discover spacious villa homes and apartments with services and amenities designed to help you stay active and engaged — intellectually, physically, and socially. Because Pleasant View is where family, friends and neighbors come together.

Schedule an appointment today!

Call 815-324-4610 or visit GoPleasantView.org

We offer support and care for your every need:

Residential Living

Assisted Living Memory Care

Short-Term Rehab

Skilled Nursing Outpatient Therapy