Senior Citizens

A network of agencies is making services available to the more than 7,500 senior citizens who reside in Grundy County. A new transportation service has been launched for eligible seniors.

The Whiteside County Senior Center treated the public to sandwiches and Santa at their Sterling location Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024.

“Sandwiches with Santa” is a free event from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, at the WCSC, 1207 W. Ninth St., Sterling. Executive Director Emily Hammer said this is the center’s first year hosting the event.

A ribbon cutting will take place at 4 p.m. at CIEL Senior Living at Plainfield, located 12446 S. Van Dyke Road in Plainfield, followed by an open house until 7 p.m.

The dinner will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Parish Center Hall, 600 Ave. B in Sterling.

Panel members include Emily Hammer, executive director of the Whiteside County Senior Center in Sterling; Karla Burn, marketing director at Resthave Care & Rehabilitation in Morrison; and Chris Burks, social worker at Resthave.

Designed to provide an easy transition for senior citizens as their care needs change, a development of duplex homes for people 55 and older is the next step in a multi-phase project.

This year marks the Dixon retirement facility’s golden jubilee – 50 years of giving seniors a place to call home, where the staff prides itself on providing the kind of quality of life that comes from celebrating life.

Developers are looking to create a 24-unit age-restricted apartment building for ages 55 and up in the business area of Crystal Lake off Congress Parkway.

The 2024 Senior Showcase held Tuesday at Northland Mall in Sterling brought in 44 vendors who offered their expertise in health care, retirement planning, long-term care, staying active and many other subjects of interest to the growing senior citizen set and their caregivers.

As of Oct. 1, the Grundy County Health Department-Senior Division will no longer be providing some services.

Urban Kitchen Restaurant in Crest Hill, 2424 Plainfield Road, Suite 100, is now part of AgeGuide’s Senior Dine Restaurant Program.

Are you a business owner or do you work for a business or agency who caters to or benefits from the ever-growing senior marketplace? Then you will want to be part of the 2024 Sauk Valley Senior Showcase.

Troy Township will host an AARP Smart Driver Safety Course for seniors on Monday, Sept. 9 and Tuesday, Sept. 10 in Shorewood.

Trooy Township Supervisor Joseph Baltz announced that Troy Township is hosting an AARP Smart Driver Safety Course for Troy Township residents.

McHenry County officials have warned about real estate tax and jury duty scams going around.

Elected officials, aging network providers, local partners and concerned citizens are invited to a community discussion about current issues facing Illinois older adults, caregivers and families.

The Lee County Council on Aging and Lifescapes will be serving lunch from Monday through Friday starting June 10 at the senior center, 100 W. Second St. in Dixon.

Robert Larson was a young man with a horn, just 18 and graduated high school when on Nov. 22, 1942, he joined the U.S. Navy to play in the band on ships.

Meals on Wheels will celebrate its Dine Around Town partnership with two grand-opening buffets.

Many of the building’s residents are now staying in hotels provided by the facility’s management and are receiving two meals a day thanks to a partnership with the Joliet Salvation Army.

Kendall County TRIAD will host a plethora of events in this year geared toward seniors, both fun and informational.

Senior Services CEO Brianne Hetman says she knows of nothing like it in the Midwest

Computer lab planned at Mt. Morris Senior Center.

Activities start Monday morning at new Ovation Center.

The public is invited to visit the 127,000-square-foot center during the grand opening, which will include classes, activities and a luncheon dance.

The Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame recognizes four seniors every year for outstanding service to their community.

State Sens. Craig Wilcox and Don DeWitte delivered over 9,000 homemade Valentines to seniors living in nursing homes and assisted living centers.

The deadline to apply for the property tax relief program is Friday, March 1. Visit the website of the Will County Treasurer’s Office.

Lillian Bennett of Spring Grove, who was born during World War I, celebrated 108 years of life with a drive-by parade of well-wishers. She said she never smoke or drank.

Home Instead hosting job fair 10 am. to 2 p.m. Tuesday. The home health care company aims to hire at least 30 caregivers.

McHenry Senior Services will host a seminar on the county's Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Program.

The Catholic Charities’ Senior Companion Program pair volunteers in Will County and Grundy County with homebound seniors living in Will and Grundy counties to provide friendly visits.

New efforts are underway in McHenry County to stop fraud schemes against senior citizens. A Crystal Lake woman found out the hard way and lost almost $16,000.

A development team is proposing to build a 45-unit affordable senior housing community at the corner of Cary-Algonquin Road and Harper Avenue in Cary.

Anyone interested in donating new and gently-used winterwear can drop off the items at the Troy community center, 25448 W. Seil Road in Shorewood.

The senior menu will be offered at Urban Kitchen daily for dine in at the restaurant from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday and Monday.

Betty Orlando, who will turn 100 on Dec. 1, said she doesn’t do any actual bowling anymore. But that doesn't stop her from having an active, independent life.

State Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel is hosting seminars to provide local seniors with information and resources available to them to protect against fraud.

Hearthstone Communities in Woodstock was sued for more than $200,000; a representative from the nonprofit said the facility struggled with finances during COVID-19.

Mary Martha Thompson was born just a month before the end of World War I and grew up on a Will County farm.

The event is a local event for those “50 and Better.”

Older adults who participate in the Grundy County “Great Plates” program have other options following the closing of the Morris Chop Shop.

A certificate of need application submitted by the prospective buyers of the DeKalb County Rehab and Nursing Center was deferred by the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board, likely delaying the sale for months.

Elder Care Services of DeKalb County will host a screening of the movie “Little Giants” as part of its movie night fundraiser.

With the grant, the district can update the facility’s kitchen to an ADA-accessible teaching kitchen that will provide recreational and instructional opportunities, while also serving senior luncheons.

Mark Jaeger started offering weekly harmonica playing classes at the McHenry Township Senior Center on June 21. In addition to learning to play the instrument, harmonica playing can help as therapy for those with COPD.

Local state law makers hosted a senior health fair Wednesday at DeKalb High School. The event featured vendors from various businesses, organizations and agencies.

The latest step needed to finalize a sale of the DeKalb County Rehabilitation and Nursing Center will take place on Tuesday in DeKalb, as the DeKalb County government awaits state OK for the plan, already approved by the DeKalb County Board.

Turning one person’s trash into another’s treasure, the residents of Oak Trace senior living community in Downers Grove have adopted the practice of recycling plastic grocery bags, crafting them into sleeping mats for people who are homeless.