Improving the Lives of People with Memory Loss: Art and Music Therapy
CMSS uses art therapy and music therapy to improve the lives of older adults with memory loss. Bringing Art to Life launched this month.
Summer Reading Suggestions Featuring Silver-Haired Heroes
Those seeking adventure come in all shapes, sizes, and ages. According to a study done by LeadingAge, “the proportion of travel adventurers over age 85 has increased more than 70 percent since 2004.” As you plan your escapades to enjoy these long summer days, consider embarking on a journey that doesn’t require any physical travel: […]
LGBTQ Older Adults on the Silver Screen
According to recent estimates, at least 1.5 million adults 65 and older are members of the LGBTQ community. But, even as great strides have been made for LGBTQ rights and representation in recent decades, art and media about the LGBTQ community and movement have often focused on young people. At Chicagoland Methodist Senior Services (CMSS), […]
The Challenges of Aging as an LGBTQ Individual
LGBTQ older adults today have lived through enormous amounts of change, from a time when their preferences were considered psychological disorders to a time when their right to marry is protected throughout the United States. But, as documented in the film Gen Silent, older LGBTQ adults have legitimate concerns about being open about their identities […]
Four Ways to Assess Your Assisted Living Options Before You Need Them – and Why You Should Do So
Moving to an assisted living community is a big decision, and one that can ultimately improve your quality of life by providing the support you need. However, many people put off making a move and, as a result, choose a place to move in a rush when they find themselves in the midst of a […]
What Are My Options for Care as I Grow Older and Which One’s Right for Me Now?
The majority of us will need long-term care at some point or will need to help arrange it for a family member, but it can be difficult to determine which of the various types of care is the right one and the best place to receive that care. The good news is, you can take pressure […]
Simple Ways to Preserve Your Loved One’s Stories
Stories are a way to pass on values, experiences and lessons to help others learn and grow. Across all cultures and societies, stories have always been shared. You can likely think back to a story that has shaped your life, whether it came from a book you read, a movie you watched or an experience […]
Financial Planning for Retirement
Retirement is an exciting time. After years of shaping your day-to-day life around a job, retirement can provide the welcome opportunity to explore other passions and contribute to society in meaningful ways you may not have had time for previously. Hopefully, you’ve been making financial decisions with an eye to retirement for many years, but […]
National Healthcare Decisions Day: Why Making End-of-Life Decisions Now Will Help You Later
April 16 is National Healthcare Decisions Day, a day dedicated to advanced planning for difficult healthcare situations. End-of-life conversations are difficult to have, but it is better to have them now, while you are able to think them through and consider your options, than to put your family in a position where they do not know your wishes in an emergency.
How Pets Improve the Lives of Seniors
Chicagoland Methodist Senior Services is proud to partner with several local shelters to provide older adults with doses of animal happiness. The volunteer service, Chicago Cares, and cat shelter, Tree House Humane Society, help with this mission by bringing cats and dogs into our communities. They are a huge hit with residents.
Music & Memory: Improving Quality of Life for People with Dementia
The power of music is why CMSS has partnered with Music & MemorySM, a music therapy program for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia that is gaining traction across the country and internationally
Three Mentally Stimulating Art Projects You Can Do with Your Older Loved Ones Today
Art can be an engaging and liberating experience for people of all ages, but it can have a significant mental health impact on older adults.
Celebrating Volunteers Who Give Back to Older Adults
At Chicagoland Methodist Senior Services (CMSS), we’re always looking for new ways to bring joy to our residents and celebrate our volunteers, and recently, we’ve had two notable occasions to do both at Wesley Place.
Student Volunteers Share Their Stories
Chicagoland Methodist Senior Services (CMSS) is proud to have student volunteers who are themselves preparing for careers caring for older adults.
Three Scientifically Proven Ways Music Improves The Lives of Older Adults
There is no denying the power of music. Across cultural and societal lines, music has been proven to bring people together. A recent study from the Tokyo University of Arts went so far as to claim this was why music was first developed: to create communities and societies. As we age, music plays an important role in our quality of life.
Simple Practices for Strengthening Your Spiritual Health As You Age
Older age is a time of change, and that makes it a time of great opportunity. Many retirees take the advantage of a newly-open schedule to take up a charitable cause, explore a new hobby or travel. Why not also consider older age an opportunity to get in improve your spiritual health?
3 Ways Aging Leads to a Better Life
Mary Ann Spina, a Pastoral Associate at Holy Cross Church in Deerfield, Il, recently hosted an event at Chicagoland Methodist Senior Services focused on turning around the perception that because our bodies age, seniors can’t enjoy life as much – or even more than – they ever have before.
3 Ways to Help Your Loved One Open Up About Spirituality and Aging
Most of us spend our lives wondering what will come next. From mundane tasks like which bill we have to pay, to more significant decisions like how many kids we’ll have, our minds are always a few steps ahead. For our older loved ones, though, wondering what comes next can lead to some difficult questions that lack concrete answers.
The Importance of Spiritual Health As We Grow Older
Do you view aging as a spiritual journey as well as a physical one? Spirituality can help older individuals approach aging in a meaningful, positive way.
6 Ways Seniors Can Prepare Their Homes for Winter
Older adults have a higher risk of weather-related health issues and injuries, particularly in the cold winter months. Icy sidewalks and snowy yards and roads make falling a risk for some older adults, and hypothermia and frostbite are real risks when it’s bitter cold outside. Unfortunately, the solution isn’t merely to spend more time indoors […]
Fun and Therapeutic Arts and Crafts Projects for Older Adults
Arts and crafts can be more than just a fun recreational activity for seniors: as The Assisted Living Federation of America and the American Art Therapy Association explain, art therapy allows older adults to work through their psychological issues more readily than traditional talk therapy.
Access Movies and Concerts Without Leaving Home
Beyond Hulu and Netflix, there are many other services that allow you to stream digital entertainment – including movies, television shows and even concerts – from home. These services are less expensive than visiting a movie theater or concert hall, convenient and (most importantly) fun!
Chicago Caregiver Resources 101
Caring for a spouse, parent or other family member with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease is an immense commitment that often requires lifestyle changes and increases stress. It’s no surprise that many caregivers have difficulty making time to care for themselves in the midst of their responsibilities. Fortunately, there are many resources available for caregivers who […]
Caregiving Spotlight: What It’s Like Looking After an Ill Parent or Spouse
Providing care for an ill parent or spouse is something that we often don’t ever plan for. It’s easy to assume that you’ll never be the caregiver for a loved one in your life. However, recent research by University of Rhode Island’s Schmidt Labor Research Center, found that “1 in 3 workers currently face elder […]
Surviving and Thriving as a Caregiver
Caring for an older loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease is a big commitment. Between doctor appointments, keeping up with medication schedules and finding new ways to adapt to the progression of the illness, it can be difficult for caregivers to find time to take care of themselves, which can lead to emotional stress, […]
