Every May, the Administration for Community Living leads the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month, a time to recognize older Americans' contributions, highlight aging trends, and reaffirm our commitment to service for older adults.
The 2025 theme, Flip the Script on Aging, focuses on transforming how society perceives, talks about, and approaches aging. It encourages individuals and communities to challenge stereotypes and dispel misconceptions. This year, join us in honoring older adults’ contributions, exploring the many opportunities for staying active and engaged as we age, and highlighting the opportunities for purpose, exploration, and connection that come with aging.
For seven decades, Casa Central has been a source of support, assistance, education, and joy for older adults in our community.
Our Home Care Services program provides reliable, compassionate home visits from our trained and culturally responsive Home Care Aides. Assistance with meals, mobility and personal care allows an improved quality of life. This program allows older adults to remain safe and independent as they age.
Our Adult Wellness Center (AWC), a day service for individuals over 60, offers transportation, culturally conscious meals made from scratch, and a wide variety of fun and therapeutic activities that help maintain, improve and/or restore emotional, cognitive and physical well-being.
Remarkable changes can happen through programs like these. One of our participants, Elena, was widowed at age 88 after a long marriage. When she lost her husband, she moved in with her son so she wouldn’t have to be alone all the time. Her grief and the radical change to her living arrangement made her fall into a deep depression.
Elena’s son was concerned and contacted her doctor and the Illinois Department of Aging, who suggested Casa Central’s Adult Wellness Center as a possible source of help for his mother. After an assessment, Elena was approved to receive services from the AWC three days a week. It took time for her to get accustomed to the routine, but she became more and more comfortable with the environment, the staff and her fellow participants. The AWC began to feel like another family for Elena.
After five months, Elena was asked about the services. “They treat me with respect, I have friends, and most of all, I like it because they've taught me how to knit. Now, I'm making clothes for my granddaughter," she said. "The happiest day for me was when I wrote a poem and dedicated it to my absent husband at our Valentine’s Day party. I don't feel as sad anymore."
For more information regarding the Adult Wellness Center and enrollment, please call 773-645-2487. To learn more about Casa Central’s Home Care Services and enrollment, please call 773-645-2443.
(Participant's name was changed to maintain her anonymity.)