December 16, 2014 - Skyline Newspaper

By Skyline Newspaper December 16, 2014 10 years 354 words

Local Events and Activities Give Chicago Retirees Plenty of Reasons to Get Out of the House

The weather may be getting colder, but that isn’t keeping many of Chicago’s senior citizens from partaking in all the activities and events the city has to offer in the days …


The weather may be getting colder, but that isn’t keeping many of Chicago’s senior citizens from partaking in all the activities and events the city has to offer in the days leading up to the holidays. In Clarendon Hills, residents at the Birches Assisted Living center recently embraced the giving spirit of the holidays by holding the second annual “Hearts and Heroes” campaign that benefits members of the military. According to a December 15 Chicago Tribune article, Birches residents created a giving tree, decorating the tree with ornaments that suggest gifts and donations to give to deployed military personnel. All the donations will go toward Valentine’s Day care packages, and usually include luxuries that deployed members of the military don’t have access to. Activities like the “Hearts and Heroes” campaign help retirement community residents branch out and interact with one another. That’s why studies have actually shown that retirement living communities that give residents their own private living space with shared social areas are good for seniors in more ways than one. According to the ProMatura Group’s 2009 Independent Living Report, seniors who live in an independent living retirement community have an easier time making new friends and trying out new things. As a result, these seniors have a better overall experience with their living situation, the study found. There’s certainly no shortage of things to do in the Chicago area for seniors looking to try something new. In just the last week or so, seniors were able to check out The Second City That Never Sleeps 2014, a comedy event featuring musical performances from Chicago natives like Jeff Tweedy, JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound, and more. Or they could have headed out to the HoliDose, a holiday-themed market with food and plenty of shopping opportunities, or a performance from the Dee Alexander Quartet. With a thriving atmosphere of arts and culture, there’s always something to do for seniors looking to expand their horizons and enjoy a night out on the town. Chicago might just be one of the best places for retirees to live in the country.

The weather may be getting colder, but that isn’t keeping many of Chicago’s senior citizens from partaking in all the activities and events the city has to offer in the days leading up to the holidays.

In Clarendon Hills, residents at the Birches Assisted Living center recently embraced the giving spirit of the holidays by holding the second annual “Hearts and Heroes” campaign that benefits members of the military.

According to a December 15 Chicago Tribune article, Birches residents created a giving tree, decorating the tree with ornaments that suggest gifts and donations to give to deployed military personnel. All the donations will go toward Valentine’s Day care packages, and usually include luxuries that deployed members of the military don’t have access to.

Activities like the “Hearts and Heroes” campaign help retirement community residents branch out and interact with one another. That’s why studies have actually shown that retirement living communities that give residents their own private living space with shared social areas are good for seniors in more ways than one.

According to the ProMatura Group’s 2009 Independent Living Report, seniors who live in an independent living retirement community have an easier time making new friends and trying out new things. As a result, these seniors have a better overall experience with their living situation, the study found.

There’s certainly no shortage of things to do in the Chicago area for seniors looking to try something new.

In just the last week or so, seniors were able to check out The Second City That Never Sleeps 2014, a comedy event featuring musical performances from Chicago natives like Jeff Tweedy, JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound, and more.

Or they could have headed out to the HoliDose, a holiday-themed market with food and plenty of shopping opportunities, or a performance from the Dee Alexander Quartet.

With a thriving atmosphere of arts and culture, there’s always something to do for seniors looking to expand their horizons and enjoy a night out on the town. Chicago might just be one of the best places for retirees to live in the country.