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The senior population is on the rise, and – oftentimes – many family members and relatives wind up bearing the brunt of the additional stress and day-to-day difficulties that go along with taking care of their loved ones.
Batavia’s Elderday Center provides an alternative for families caring for their older loved ones. Since 1990, the center has been providing an adult day program for those whose health is diminishing. The program is perfect for caretakers that have full-time jobs, can’t take care of the elderly constantly or simply need to run some errands and have no one else to step in.
“It’s probably one of the best kept secrets, as far as the caregiving community goes,” Elderday Center Board member Carol Murin said. “Everyone knows what independent living is, and adult day care is probably one of the last [areas] where those services have exploded.”
The face behind it all is executive director Traci Eggleston, who took over the position in 2011 after interning at Elderday while earning a master’s degree from Aurora University. Eggleston is a recipient of the Kane County Chronicle’s Best Under 40 honor.
She knew right away that the executive director position was the perfect fit because she could combine her love of helping people and her skills in administration.
“I get to serve the greater community and be a voice for the aging in the community,” Eggleston said. “Just because somebody gets older, doesn’t mean they’re any less of a person. Their life meant something.”
Eggleston earned a B.A. in psychology from Taylor University in Indiana before working in publishing and marketing for several years. But it wasn’t enough. Eggleston “wanted to see more tangible results,” and decided to go back to school at Aurora University to earn a master’s in social work.
“She’s just accomplished so much with the organization in a short period of time,” Murin said. “It’s impressive. She really cares about seniors and their quality of life when their health is diminished.”
Eggleston said a lot of things have come full circle during her time at Elderday, in the sense that a lot of her clients are people that touched her life at some point while she was growing up in the area.
“I just really want to help people connect with different parts of their life,” Eggleston said. “My grandparents were always community-minded – both with their financial resources and time – and I think I just kind of followed their footsteps in that way.”
Although Eggleston is responsible for a lot of the behind-the-scenes work, such as managing the money and employees, she said she can’t get enough of all of the clients that come in.
“You can learn so much from people that are older than you,” Eggleston said. “It’s fascinating to sit down with a client and have a cup of coffee with former Olympic judges, business owners and others that can teach you a thing or two.”
Even though Eggleston spends her days giving back to the community, she also is taking in the wisdom of the regulars at Elderday and trying to pass it on to others.
“I couldn’t be who I am today without other women and mentors who have poured their lives into me,” Eggleston said. “I want to encourage other people out there to do it for younger generations. You never know who is going to turn around and take care of you.”
About the award
Through Tuesday, Sept. 22, the Kane County Chronicle is recognizing 12 area professionals younger than age 40 who have made significant contributions to their profession, company and community. To read the Best Under 40 profiles online, visit www.kcchronicle.com/bestunder402015.