CMSS Recaps a Successful Giving Tuesday
#GivingTuesdayNow united millions of people around the world on May 5th, 2020 through donations of items, time, money and kind acts of generosity. In the face of a pandemic, individuals from over 145 countries chose to make others’ lives better. We saw this kindness ourselves at Chicago Methodist Senior Services. CMSS wants to say thank […]
Letter to CMSS Staff From a CMSS Resident’s Daughter
Chicago Methodist Senior Services is dedicated to providing more good days for the people in our care, but we know it can be hard to get a feel for what that means not just in theory, but in practice. That’s why when we received a heartwarming letter from Susie McCallister, who is the daughter of […]
Using Music to Heal During COVID-19
Here in Illinois, we’re fast approaching a month since Gov. J.B. Pritzker ordered us to shelter-in-place. The order forced us to rethink our day-to-day lives and reevaluate our priorities from the boundaries of our home. For me, this meant exploring my longstanding passion for music and using it as a way to heal and cope […]
Inclusive Care Means Expanding LGBTQ+ Services
More than 2.4 million older adults identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or queer (LGBTQ+) in the U.S. By 2030, the older adult population could reach over 7 million. It’s more important than ever that senior care communities offer inclusive care and expanded LGBTQ+ services to serve this growing population. At CMSS, we are doubling […]
How Pen Pal Programs Create Bonds for CMSS Residents
In the digital world of tweets, likes, shares and follows, many people underestimate the power of a handwritten letter. Many in younger generations have not experienced the thrill of receiving a letter or postcard in the mail and writing back to friends or family. But at Chicago Methodist Senior Services (CMSS), we know just how […]
CMSS Welcomes a New Year and Decade of Care
By Bill Lowe, CEO and President of Chicago Methodist Senior Services Each year at Chicago Methodist Senior Services, we experience exciting changes, complex challenges, and remarkable opportunities. They compel our staff, residents, and community members to adjust and adapt to new climates. As CEO and President of CMSS, I recognize the only thing constant is […]
Urban Sensory Garden Finds its Roots at CMSS
A garden can be transformative for your mood: they’re tranquil, therapeutic, and can often feel like an outdoor home. In metropolitan areas, however, gardens can be few and far between. Some older adults may find it difficult to access gardens, too, meaning they’re unable to reap the benefits of planting, harvesting, and enjoying nature. That’s […]
Chicago Musicians Build Relationships with Older Adults
By Henri Harps Music has an undeniable impact on the well-being of older adults, and even has therapeutic benefits for people with memory loss. One of my primary goals as Music Programming Coordinator at Chicago Methodist Senior Services (CMSS) is to bring as much music into residents’ lives as possible. When partnering with music organizations […]
Q&A: CMSS’ Partnership with the Civic Fellows of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
At the annual Spring Benefit Brunch in April, Chicago Methodist Senior Service (CMSS) debuted its brand new therapeutic music and wellness program, Sounds of Healing. This innovative program will incorporate individualized therapeutic music into the overall healthcare plans of CMSS residents, helping manage stress, promote healing and enhance memory. One goal of Sounds of Healing […]
CMSS Community recognized as Top Performer by U.S. News & World Report
Wesley Place was recently recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top performing nursing home. U.S. News rated a total of 719 nursing homes in Illinois this year, and 79 facilities located in Chicago. The report ranked nursing homes using data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, claim-based outcomes, resident complaints, […]
Introducing “Fostering Careers”
At this year’s Spring Benefit Brunch, we’re excited to introduce our new Fostering Careers scholarship fund and tuition reimbursement program! This program is devoted to helping members of the CMSS team further their educations and pursue their passions. Staff members recently shared their academic and career ambitions at a photoshoot at CMSS. The Fostering Careers […]
New Arts Programming Director will bring a world of art to Chicago Methodist Senior Services
Art inspires and moves us at every stage of life — which is why we’re so excited to welcome our new Arts Programming Director, Dr. Mark Pohlad. As Arts Programming Director, Dr. Pohlad will draw on his decades of experience as a college professor and art historian to create programs suited to the needs and […]
These Days: News From Our Community
From introducing our HeartBeats cardiac rehabilitation program to announcing new hires, our newsletter, These Days, shares everything you need to know about what’s happening at CMSS. Check it out here:
CMSS Featured on WCIU’S You & Me This Morning
CMSS was recently featured on WCIU’S You & Me This Morning. The segment showcased one of our pet visits with some awesome volunteers. Check out the clip here:
Chicago Methodist Senior Services’ 2017 Spring Benefit Brunch
Annually, friends of Chicago Methodist Senior Services gather together in the spring to support our work with older adults. This year has been a time of great change in how we present and talk about our services, but our Spring Benefit Brunch remains key to our continued mission to enhance the lives of older adults. […]
Introducing the New Chicago Methodist Senior Services
We are thrilled to introduce the brand new Chicago Methodist Senior Services! Yes, that’s right, we have officially dropped the “land” in our name to honor our urban, Andersonville location. This new name is just one part of the full rebranding process we’ve gone through to better align the way we present CMSS to the […]
What to Know About Aging Today: Chicago Methodist Senior Services in the News
At Chicago Methodist Senior Services, we believe that serving our community extends beyond the day-to-day care we provide to sharing knowledge about aging well. Recently, Bill Lowe, our CEO and president, has weighed in on topics from Alzheimer’s research to Chicago resources for LGBTQ seniors, and our programs and insight have also appeared in local […]
CMSS Voices Our Support for the LGBTQ Community
Chicago Methodist Senior Services is proud to have been able to voice our support for the LGBTQ community in a recent TribLocal article, “Thriving as an Older LGBTQ Adult in Chicago.” LGBTQ people of all ages are faced with daily challenges, but the intersection of these challenges with those of aging can compound for older adults. […]
What We Are Thankful for This Thanksgiving
This Thanksgiving, our residents shared with us the things that they are most thankful for. Our residents overwhelming agreed that they were most grateful for their family, friends, life, home and health. (We also loved that many folks said they were grateful for “everything!”) No matter what you are most thankful for, we wish you […]
IL Senator Heather Steans Visits CMSS
CMSS was honored to welcome Senator Heather Steans (Illinois 7th District) for a visit last week! Following a tour of Wesley Place’s newly-renovated short term rehabilitation unit, a casual reception was hosted in the new Bistro section of the main Dining Room. Senator Steans provided a brief update on the highlights of the recently concluded legislative […]
CMSS Participates in “Partners in Quality” Grassroots Advocacy Program
Last week, Wesley Place hosted a visit and tour for Illinois State Representative Greg Harris. In addition to viewing the progress of the multi-million dollar enhancements underway at Wesley Place, Representative Harris was presented with the Life Services Network “Partners in Quality” award. This award recognizes his personal commitment and dedication to the advancement of […]
Dr. DeBacker Receives Prestigious Award
We are extremely proud to announce that Noel DeBacker, MD, CMD, Medical Director of Wesley Place, has been named Medical Director of the Year by the American Medical Director’s Association! He was presented with the award on March 9th at their annual meeting in San Antonio, Texas. This award recognizes “individuals whose vision, passion, leadership, knowledge and […]
CMSS is Proud to Serve a Real Tuskegee Airman
If you weren’t already aware of the history surrounding the Tuskegee Airmen, chances are you might have a better idea thanks to the release of Red Tails, the motion picture that hit the big screens on January 20, 2012. “Tuskegee Airmen” refers to the African American pilots who fought in World War II. Officially, they […]
Governor Quinn Signs Senior-Focused Laws into Effect at CMSS
Wesley Place had the pleasure of hosting Governor Pat Quinn as he signed two new laws that protect seniors and vulnerable adults.
