Senior Services
Overview
ECC
Senior Services Program is funded through a grant from the Illinois
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Edgewater is home to
a large population of older adults, many of whom are independently
functioning but also some who require assistance in various ways to
maintain their homes, health and independence.
Through referrals to the appropriate agencies, we provide a linkage between community services and 
seniors who may require services but be unable to find
them. The program especially targets isolated seniors who come to our
attention via concerned neighbors, block clubs, building
owners/managers and condominium associations.
We maintain a
directory of relevant agencies and services for older adults which we
use for referrals. We also distribute a directory for older adults in
Edgewater via such channels as block club meetings and community events.
The
ECC Senior Services Program works closely with local elected public
officials and with agencies providing services to older adults, such as
the Chicago Department of Senior Services, Mather Edgewater, Heart to
Heart and the White Crane Wellness Center.
If you are an older adult in need of service referrals or if you know of an at-risk senior who you believe to be in need of services, please contact:
Ginger Williams, RN
ECC Director of Senior Services
773-381-1340
ginger@edgewatercommunitycouncil.org
Older Adult Mental Health Services
Community Counseling Centers of Chicago (C4) now provides home-based mental health services for older adults, including:
- Therapy
- Community Support
- Case Management
- Consultation
- Linkage to other C4 services
- Advocacy
Common issues addressed are loss, isolation, depression, stress, anxiety and social support.
Adults age 55+ with symptoms of mental health issues and in need of home-based services are eligible.
C4 accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and the fee is on a sliding scale basis.
To make a referral or for more information, please contact:
- Claudia Kottwitz, LCSW, 773-506-0594, or
- Erin Lipin, MSW, 773-765-0707
Call Center (24 hour crisis line): 773-769-0205
C4 Main Number: 773-506-2525
Have You Received Your FREE Home Safety Consultation?
Each year many older Americans are injured in their homes. Many of these injuries result from hazards that are easy to overlook, but also easy to fix.
CJE SeniorLife's community nurses will help spot in-home hazards and suggest simple steps to correct them. A FREE health assessment is also included.
INJURIES CAN BE PREVENTED!
Receive a free home safety bucket while supplies last, including fire extinguisher, bath mat, flashlight, nightlight, nonskid rug backing, baking soda, and home safety checklist.
To schedule your FREE consultation, call 773-508-1089.
STAY ACTIVE!
Berger Park, 6025 N. Sheridan Rd., has FREE classes for seniors aged 60+, including yoga, bridge club, and line dancing.
Call 773-761-0376 for details.
Senior Housing
There are several subsidized senior buildings in our area. If you qualify, you are usually charged 30% of your monthly income. Waiting lists for the various buildings vary.
If you would like a list of the nearby senior buildings or an application, please contact Ginger Williams, RN, ECC, 6044 N. Broadway, 773-381-1340, ginger@edgewatercommunitycouncil or ECC Housing Director, Derick Anderson, 773-381-1345.
SENIOR SPLASH IN THE ARTS: Get in on the fun!
Have you ever imagined yourself to be a budding Rembrandt? Then learn to draw and paint from professional artist and illustrator Tom Hicke. Begin at your own level with one to one instruction enhanced by special live demonstrations.
Join us for the Senior Studio Art Class for our 2010 Season. Classes are held on Saturdays at 10:30am to 12:30pm at the Edgewater Satellite Senior Center in the Broadway Armory, 5917 N. Broadway.
Visit the class to meet the instructor and register now or call Ginger Williams, 773-381-1340
Check this out.....
Edgewater Senior Satellite Center
at the Broadway Armory, 5917 N. Broadway (at Thorndale), Chicago
featuring:
"Golden Diners Lunch"
Calling All Seniors....
Edgewater Senior Satellite Center will be serving hot delicious, nutritious lunches Mondays-Fridays, 10:30 AM -12 noon
$1.50 suggested donation for seniors age 60+
$2.80 fee for "Baby Boomers," age 55-59
If you would like to obtain a quarterly lunch menu, please contact Ginger Williams, RN, 773-381-1340, or ginger@edgewatercommunitycouncil.org.
Art: Painting/Drawing
Saturdays 10:30am -12:30pm Free!
Arthritis Exercise Class
Exercise Class: Wednesday & Fridays, 1 - 1:45 PM, Free!
Fitness Class: Mondays, 10 - 11 PM, Free!
Yoga Class: Mondays, 11 - 12 noon, Free!
Line Dancing Class: Mondays, 12 noon - 1 PM, Free!
Wellness Program
Provided by White Crane Wellness Center
Health Talks and Screenings
Free!
Registered Nurse's Hours
Every Wednesday 10 am - 12 pm:
One-on-one consultations, group discussions, referrals, screenings, and health/wellness presentations
Dietitian Presentation
Third Friday of each month, 11 am-1 pm
One-on-one consultations, group discussions, referrals, screenings, and health/wellness presentations.
Pharmacist Presentation
Third Monday of Every Month, 12:00pm - 2pm
One-on-one consultations, group discussions, referrals, and health/wellness presentations
Heart-to-Heart
Serving home-bound older adults of the Edgewater community, Heart-to-Heart volunteers provide friendly visits, reassuring phone calls, light shopping assistance, escorts to appointments, and transportation. If you need assistance or would like to become a volunteer, call (773) 973-5464.
The Heart-to-Heart program at St. Gertrude's Church also maintains a lending closet for medical equipment that seniors frequently need. The closet includes walkers, canes, raised toilets, and wheelchairs -- all of which are loaned to those in need, free of charge. Please call (773) 973-5464 to confirm that they currently have the equipment you need. Also, if you have unused medical equipment that you no longer want, please call Heart-to-Heart so that others in need can put it to good use.
FREE Senior Home Repair Program
The City of Chicago's Small Accessible Repairs for Seniors (formerly H-RAIL) program provides free home repairs such as safety, security and accessibility improvements that assist seniors to remain in their homes. Repair types are limited to minor repairs that include, but are not limited to: grab bars, lever faucets, carbon monoxide/smoke detectors, and wheelchair ramps.
Edgewater Community Council is a Delegate Agency under contract to the City of Chicago to assist seniors through the application project and to make on-site assessments to determine service needs.
The program is for those who are, at least, 60 years of age and who earn no more than 80% of the median income, adjusted for family size. (For example, for a family size of 1, the maximum income allowed would be $41,700 per year). Assets are not counted. Qualified recipients may live in a single-family home, condominium or an apartment building with no more than four units. Renters must have the permission of the landlord.
For more information or to apply, please contact Merita Mila, ECC Senior Outreach / Home Repair Coordinator, at 773-381-1346, or merita@edgewatercommunitycouncil.org.