Senior Moments from H.O.M.E.

Every May we are given the opportunity to celebrate older Americans and focus on their contributions in our lives and communities. Led by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), the annual observance which began in 1963 offers a special opportunity to learn about, support, and recognize our nation’s older citizens. The theme for 2020 is “Make Your Mark”, selected to encourage and celebrate countless contributions that older adults make to our communities. Their time, experience, and talents benefit family, peers, and neighbors every day. This year’s theme highlights the difference everyone can make – in the lives of older adults, in support of caregivers, and to strengthen communities even in these unprecedented times.

Topics: senior living, intergenerational housing, celebrate, Older Americans Month, intergenerational relationships, senior housing, affordable housing

What’s the first word that pops into your mind when you hear “choice”? For me, it’s “freedom.” Living in “choice” implies variety: being able to pick from a whole smorgasbord of foods, clothes, TV shows, toothpaste, ways to get to work, musical instruments to try out in fifth grade. “Choice” is one of those words that everybody likes.

Topics: affordable housing, fair housing

Dawn Olderr Montalvo has been caring for other people’s children most of her life.  You helped find her a place to stay when she needed someone to take care of her for a change. 

Topics: community, Giving Tuesday, philanthropy, senior housing, affordable housing, ILgive

Question: When is Housing not about housing?

Answer: When it’s about community.

 

Topics: senior housing, affordable housing

During these past few months, I have realized how easily a house, a physical building or a place of work, can become a home, a place with emotional attachment, where I feel like I belong.

Topics: community, internships, impact, intergenerational relationships, affordable housing

April is Fair Housing Month. H.O.M.E. is proud to uphold fair housing laws in its housing and to ensure our resident population is diverse in every way.

Topics: senior living, senior housing, affordable housing

Dear Next Mayor of Chicago,

Topics: community, intergenerational housing, aging in community, ageism, senior housing, affordable housing

"When I lost my apartment and I needed help...you guys were my angels on earth."

Like most older adults who move, Denise needed to find a new apartment by necessity. When she needed help with the process, she was able to turn to H.O.M.E. because donors like you support our Moving Program.

Topics: poverty, Giving Tuesday, Moving Program, aging in community, ageism, affordable housing

Today's guest blogger is Tom Sahagian. Tom has more than 30 years of multifamily energy efficiency experience, including stints in the Weatherization Assistance Program, New York City government and various engineering firms.  Now retired, he writes and lectures widely.  This is his first blog post for Senior Moments, but we hope it will not be his last. 

Topics: safety, affordable housing

Central to H.O.M.E.'s mission is to help low-income seniors maintain their independence. We do that by providing housing and housing support services. Often, we are faced with the question: "If you are 'helping' someone, doesn't that mean that they aren't 'independent?'"

It's a fair question. And the answer is actually another question: "Well, how do you define independence?"

Topics: community, senior independence, aging in community, senior isolation, senior housing, affordable housing