Senior Moments from H.O.M.E.

The month of June has long been hailed as “Pride Month”, and the year 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of Pride celebration. It is typically a time for the LGBTQ+ community to gather and celebrate their history and rights. But why June? To understand the origin of Pride, one must start at the beginning: The Stonewall Riots, also known as The Stonewall Uprising.

Topics: community, aging in community, intergenerational relationships, LGBT Older Adults, diverse elders

In the days before Governor Pritzker issued the shelter in place order in Illinois, I was overcome with feelings of insecurity. Stories of government mandated lock-downs and climbing infection rates had already begun to dominate traditional news outlets. On social media, friends shared pictures of packed parking lots and notes of relief for having scored a 32-pack of toilet paper the week prior. In the building I live in, a neighbor struck up a well-meaning, but unsettling conversation, “At least we’re young. We should be fine.”

Topics: community, senior living, intergenerational housing, senior independence, food security, senior hunger, Older Americans Month, senior health, aging in community, intergenerational relationships, senior isolation

There is a saying about motherhood; The days are long and the years are short. In our current situation, quarantining in a house with twin four year olds, a dog that sheds and barks like it’s her job and a spouse who also works full time – the days are especially long. Almost five years ago, after years of trying and a very good doctor, I gave birth to twin girls, Adelaide and Isabella. My husband and I do not have a lot of family that lives in the state, so from the time we came home with our bundles of joy we were on our own island of overtired parents, a very confused dog, and two babies. 

Topics: community, intergenerational housing, senior independence, aging in community, intergenerational relationships, Good Life Senior Residences, combating ageism, senior isolation

With a recent documentary as well as the upcoming film starring Tom Hanks, the iconic children's program Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood is having a renaissance moment. At H.O.M.E., we've been inspired by the show, too. 

Topics: volunteer, community, intergenerational housing, senior independence, philanthropy, aging in community, intergenerational relationships, LGBT Older Adults, diverse elders

On January 18th the fifth season of Grace and Frankie was released on Netflix. If you haven’t binged watched it already,  Grace and Frankie tells the story of two former rivals who became roommates and later friends when their husbands leave them to marry each other after a long affair. The hilariously witty show does a wonderful job highlighting the experiences and struggles many older adults face and can teach us so much about aging and the importance of relationships.

Topics: community, aging in community, intergenerational relationships, LGBT Older Adults, ageism

“Like cattle. They were just hauling them out,” said a certified nursing assistant about to lose her job of 29 years at a rural South Dakota nursing home in Mobridge, closing because it ran out of money.

Topics: community, intergenerational housing, aging in community, intergenerational relationships, combating ageism, senior housing

When I met Jack Lyle five years ago, he was still lifting weights and sailing regularly at age 93.

Jack was active, and fiercely independent. It seems that he had been that way his entire life, and remained that way to the end.

Jack had been a Tuskegee Airman, and we learned about his death in his obituary in early January. This Black History month, we remember him.

Topics: senior independence, Upkeep and Repair, aging in community, diverse elders

 

Topics: community, intergenerational housing, aging in community, intergenerational relationships, combating ageism, senior 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