Senior Services and Programs

There are many services, programs, events and activities that are offered locally by numerous organizations. In order to keep you informed, the following is an updated listing of services in and around our community. If you have any questions or would like additional details, please do not hesitate to call Senior Services Associates, Inc. at 630.553.5777. A list of state and federal senior assistance programs and information is available here.

Alzheimer's Support Group

This support group meets on the third Wednesday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. at the Beecher Community Center, 908 Game Farm Road. Learn how you or a loved one can cope with the everyday struggles of Alzheimer's. The group is free and open to the public. The group provides much needed support through discussions and services to aid those individuals facing the disease, their families, and caregivers. Call 630.553.5777 for information.

Beecher Community Center Daily Activities

Play some cards, bridge or build a friendship. All are welcome. We'll see you there! Every day the Beecher Community Center, 908 Game Farm Rd., has a daily activity for you to enjoy. Listed below is a schedule of those activities:

• Duplicate Bridge--Mondays at noon
• Social Bridge--Tuesday mornings
• Mexican Train Dominoes--Monday mornings
• Pinochle--Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons
• Bingo--Tuesdays and Fridays at Noon and Wednesdays at 10 a.m..
• Cribbage--Wednesdays 9 a.m.
• Cards--Card games of all kinds Tuesday through Friday mornings

• NEW! Afternoon Movie Series. Join Senior Services Associates, Inc. on the fourth Wednesday afternoon of every other month for a free movie and popcorn. Movies are shown at 1 p.m. in the Perkins room at the Beecher Community Center. Movies currently scheduled are listed below:

                                      Aug. 25 - 'The Blind Side', the story of Michael Oher

                                      Oct. 27 - 'The Ghost and Mr. Chicken'

                                      Dec. 15 - 'White Christmas'

• Monthly Birthday Bingo is held on the first Friday of every month. If your birthday is in that month and you plan on playing Bingo then make sure you have signed up on the Monthly Birthday list the previous month to receive your birthday present. The cake and presents are provided by local area senior organizations or facilities, all you have to do is come for the fun.

Caregiver Support Group

Caring for a loved one can be fulfilling, yet exhausting and stressful. The goal of this group is to provide support, intervention and education to address the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual needs of caregivers through Kendall County. The group meets the second and fourth Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Kendall County Health Department, 811 W. John Street. For information call 630.553.9100.

Case Management Services
Case managers assess the need for services and develop an overall plan of care for seniors 60 years of age and older. Assistance is also available for obtaining home-delivered nutritional meals; in-home services (e.g., housekeeping, maintenance, personal care); energy assistance; outreach to the homebound to assist with applying for benefits; information and referral; financial assistance; transportation to grocery stores, doctor appointments and free legal services. Call Senior Services Associates, Inc. at 630.553.5777 for additional information.

Cells for Seniors Program

This countywide program initiated by the Yorkville Police Department collects used cell phones. The phones are converted into 911 emergency phones and distributed to seniors free of charge. Used phones can be dropped off at the Yorkville Police Department, 802 Game Farm Road, Yorkville between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. For more information, or to receive a phone, call 630.553.5777.

Community Nutrition Network (home-delivered meals)

Community Nutrition Network is currently one of the largest nutritious meal providers for seniors in the nation, hosting 22 program locations. CNNSSA serve's over 600,000 meals to 7,400 seniors in suburban Cook, Grundy, and Kendall counties each year. Through the Home-Delivery Program, CNN seeks to improve the quality of life and provide nutritionally balanced meals to seniors who may not be able to: leave their home; afford or buy groceries; or cook for themselves. Additional information is available by contacting 630.553.2316 or at www.cnnssa.org.

Congregate Meals Program

Senior Services Congregate Meals Programs is supported by the United City of Yorkville and offers group dining for seniors at 11 a.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at the Beecher Community Center, 908 Game Farm Road. Meals are delicious, healthy, and fresh and offer seniors the opportunity to socialize three times a week. Meal donations accepted. Information is available by calling 630.553.5777.

Elder Abuse
Reporting elder abuse gives the victims the opportunity to receive the help they need to stop abuse. It can also reduce their risk in the future. Your report can make a difference. Caller identity is confidential and is not disclosed without written permission or by order of the court. If you are aware of an elderly individual experiencing abuse and neglect, please call Senior Services at 630.553.5777, after hours, on weekends and on holidays. Help us stop elder abuse.

File of Life

Keep your medical history up-to-date and available for emergency first responders by filling out a File of Life.

By filling out your medical history and keeping on file in your home, the benefits to first responders include: Faster help in case of an emergency, instantly know medical history of patient, and corrective treatment can begin immediately. To receive your copy of the File of Life, call Senior Services Associates, Inc. at 630.553.5777.

Kendall Area Transit (KAT)

This public transportation service is available to all Kendall County residents and provides courteous and safe service. KAT provides curb-to-curb and door-to-door services for registered county residents within sponsoring communities with designated transfers to surrounding communities. The one-way fare for the KAT demand response service is $3 curb-to-curb or $5 door-to-door. For destinations outside of the county, an

additional $2 fee is applied. Seniors 60+ receive a $1 discount. To register call 1.877.446.4528. For additional information click here.

Kendall County Information & Assistance
Senior Services Associates, Inc. (SSA) of Kendall County has information specialists available to assist area seniors with questions regarding the Illinois Cares RX program as well as the Circuit Breaker program and Medicare Part D. Assistance is available through SSA if you need help applying for any one of these programs. Appointments are available through SSA at 630.553.5777.

Kendall County Senior Providers

A cooperative, inter-generational and inter-agency approach to serving seniors. The mission of the Kendall County Senior Providers is to educate, interact, and support inter-generational opportunities within the Senior Community. The agency is inter-generational, inclusive and goal-oriented. In additon, the mission of the Kendall County Sernior Providers is to network, serve, meet needs, foster community and love our neighbors. For more information contact Kathleen Ramsey, at specialk3@sbcglobal.net. Click here to visit the Kendall County Senior Providers website.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

The LIHEAP program is designed to aid low-income households pay for winter and summer energy services. Household incomes at or below the 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines are eligible for assistance under the LIHEAP program. There are three programs available:

• The Reconnect Assistance Program is a one-time service provided to individuals whose utilities have been disconnected due to non-payment.
• Through the Emergency Furnace Program homeowners are able to receive furnace repairs or replacements.
• The Summer Cooling Program is available based on state funding. Households eligible for this assistance include: those with children under the age of two, the elderly ages 60 and older, or those with medical conditions that require cooling.

For assistance call Kendall-Grundy Community Action at 630.553.9100 to schedule an appointment.

Medication Disposal Program

Visit the Illinois EPA website to learn how to safely dispose of your unwanted medications.

Nursing Home Ombudsman Services
A long-term care Ombudsman is an advocate who seeks to resolve complaints on behalf of people who receive
long-term care services. This program is designed to assist residents of long-term care facilities and their families by developing family councils, advocating for resident rights under state and federal laws, investigate complaints and abuse allegations, provide consultation on how to choose a nursing home, as well as privacy rights. This Illinois Department on Aging Program strives to protect and promote the rights and quality of life for those who reside in long term care facilities.

Prairie State Legal Services, Inc.

Prairie State Legal Services, Inc., a not-for-profit agency, offers legal advice and assistance at NO Charge for senior citizens, age 60 and over, residing in Kendall County. Services are made possible through funding from the Northeast Illinois Area Agency on Aging, United Way and a special grant from Kendall County. Legal services provided include assistance with Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and more. For more information please call Veronica Martinez at 630.232.9415 or 1.800.942.4612. You may also visit their Web site at www.pslegal.org.

Project Mother Nature

This Kendall County Triad program assists seniors in need of lawn care and other outside chores. To qualify for this program, individuals must be 65 years of age or older and in need of short-term yard care maintenance such as lawn mowing or leaf raking. For more information or to apply, call 630.553.5777.

REC Center Senior Programs

The United City of Yorkville's REC Center, 202 E. Countryside Parkway offers classes specifically for seniors to stay fit, keep active and to promote a healthy lifestyle. Classes currently being offered include Silver Sneakers, Senior Fit, and Aqua Aerobics. Go to www.yorkvillereccenter.com to view all classes or call 630.553.2582 for more information.

Rover Rescue-Pet Services for Kendall County Seniors

Rover Rescue is a locally based not-for-profit group that rescues dogs from shelters in Illinois and Indiana and places them in foster or permanent homes. Through this group the Kendall County Health department has developed a pilot program for seniors by offering free pet supplies for dogs, cats, fish and birds. The supplies may include food, toys, beds, cages, collars, and leashes depending on the supplier's availability of products. This pilot program will first be offered to Meals-on-Wheels participants; with the intent of expanding services to additional Kendall County senior citizens. A wait list is currently being compiled for seniors that would desire pet food and/or supplies for their pets. For more information contact 630.553.8371.

Senior Ad Hoc Committee

This United City of Yorkville Committee works to solve senior issues within the community. The Senior Ad Hoc Committee meets on the fourth Monday morning of every month, 8:30 a.m. at the Beecher Community Center. The meeting is open to the public. All are welcome. Click here to download a Senior Ad Hoc Committee agenda.

Senior Companion Program
Through this Kendall County Program, seniors in need of companionship are matched with carefully screened volunteers to provide needed support through many life transitions. To learn more or to locate a companion, call 630.553.5777.

Senior Services Associates, Inc (SSA)
Senior Services Associates, Inc. offers numerous state and federal programs for individuals 60+. In addition Senior Services offers a variety of health education programs, activities between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and many special programs throughout the year to aid seniors from filling out medical forms to drivers safety. The Yorkville Senior Services Associates, is located in the Beecher Community Building, 908 Game Farm Road, Yorkville. For more information about all programs offered through Senior Services Associates, Inc., call 630.553.5777.

Senior Wellness Check

This computer-generated daily telephone wellness check is open to all seniors of Kendall County. Daily telephone calls are made to ensure the safety and well being of seniors in our area. If you would like to participate in the program or have a loved one who could benefit from this service, please call 630.553.5777.

For more information on this program click here.