Senior Housing NOTES
The plant doctor is in
She enters the room greeting her “patients” with kind words, music, and, in all likelihood, a drink or two of water. With a lifelong passion for all things green and growing (or trying to grow), Arlene Iverson is directing her proclivity for plants by helping her neighbors at Lexington Square Senior Living Community in Elmhurst. A retired nurse, Iverson always made time for her garden between working and raising a family. Now at Lexington Square, she serves as the resident plant doctor, helping her fellow residents care for their ailing plants and flowers or tending to plants while their owners go on vacation. Her “office” is a brightly lit room filled with gardening supplies and containers people can use. She also lends plants to residents when they have guests come over to visit.
Laced up for worthy cause
Over the summer, residents and staff of the Alden Network, with locations throughout the Chicago area, teamed up to participate in the virtual Gibbons 5K run and 3K walk. While the location changed from its usual Chicago lakefront path to the Alden grounds, the goal remained the same: to support the Leukemia Research Foundation in the fight against blood diseases. The Alden Avengers team members were led by Alden Network president Randi Schullo.
Benefits of senior living
To help older adults determine if senior living is right for them, Lake Forest Place is holding a special event at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 14, at the retirement community, 1100 Pembridge Drive in Lake Forest. The program will explore the benefits of moving into a retirement community, including freedom from home maintenance, time to explore new opportunities and connections with other residents. To register for this free program, visit presbyterianhomes. org/event/why-lake-forest-place-why-now-2.
Virtual gala supports needs
CJE SeniorLife, which manages Tamarisk North Shore in Deerfield, will hold a virtual gala, Streaming Into the Future, on Sunday, Oct. 3. This free event will feature artist Tovah Feldshuh, a six-time Emmy and Tony award honoree. Throughout the pandemic, CJE SeniorLife has supported seniors with emergency financial assistance, telehealth counseling and other life-saving services. Funds raised will help the agency continue to support seniors. To register or donate, visit cje.net/celebratecje2021.
Newsletter debuts
Recently Mercy Circle in Chicago launched the first issue of its quarterly newsletter, Mercy Moments. The goal of the newsletter is to help keep residents and supporters up-to-date on the retirement community’s latest news. The newsletter included articles about Mercy Circle being named a Top Workplace 2020 by the Chicago Tribune and a feature introducing Mary Bannon, the new Major Gifts officer. The inaugural issue also highlighted ways residents thrived during the COVID-19 pandemic, winners of the retirement community’s 3rd annual Service Awards Ceremony, background on the retirement community’s history and upcoming events.
Finding magic in art
The Unicorn Gals — aka the resident artists at Caledonia Senior Living & Memory Care in North Riverside — spent their summer vacation creating a unicorn sculpture named Cal. Over 15 artists brought Cal to life using materials including 21 tomato cages, 100 wire ties and 35 feet of wire fencing fabric. His horn is made out of part of an empty soda bottle, paint brush and wire. Residents and supporters followed along watching Cal’s progress on Caledonia’s Facebook page. Once it’s completed this month, Cal will be on permanent display in the community’s new sculpture garden. The Unicorn Gals’ next project will be making a Loch Ness Monster sculpture.