Mount Prospect Senior Sentinel 1

Mount Prospect Senior Buzz

January – February 2021

From the Desk of Ginny Thomas, Senior Services Social Worker

The winter months can be a challenge when it comes to our mental health. There are shorter daylight hours and the weather is colder so it more difficult to be outside.

Right now, we are all trying to stay at home as much as possible to stay healthy during this pandemic. People are already feeling socially isolated. Some of you have been at home since March following the COVID safety precautions.

Sometimes the “winter blues” are accompanied by loneliness, stressful holidays, and missing our loved ones. This year the pandemic has led to increased numbers of people feeling anxious and depressed. We cannot celebrate the holidays and our traditions as we normally would. For some people, the holidays are what normally get them through the end of the year.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is more serious than the “winter blues”. According to the Mayo Clinic, signs of the disorder may include:

Oversleeping

Appetitive changes, especially a craving for food high in carbohydrates

Weight gain

Tiredness or low energy

The American Psychology Association suggests the following tips to help cope with Seasonal Affective Disorder:

1. Experience as much daylight as possible

2. Eat healthy

3. Spend time with friends and family (*even if it has to be virtually due to COVID-19)

4. Stay active

5. Seek professional help

Please do not ever hesitate to ask for help.

Crisis Text Line - Text NAMI to 741-741

National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI) Cook County North Suburban 847-716-2252

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-8255

The Village of Mount Prospect Human Services Department social workers are available to discuss concerns you may have and assist with linkage to services if needed.

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From the Desk of the Village Nurse…..

Premise Alert/Special Needs Registry If there was an emergency in our Village, a tornado, a long electrical outage, a fire in a multi-unit building, would you be able to survive at home or evacuate yourself to safety? If you answered “yes,” good! However, many of our residents could only answer that question, “yes, if”…..the elevator was working, if my spouse was home, if I had a clear path to walk, etc. The Mount Prospect Police Department and the Mount Prospect Medical Reserve Corps developed a form several years ago to allow residents to self-report conditions or situations that emergency responders would need to know in the event of an emergency at their address. This confidential form, called the Premise Alert/Special Needs Registry, is filed with the 911 dispatchers and is available in the Village Emergency Operations Center, if there is a disaster. How do you know if you need to be on that registry? Some of the questions you might ask yourself are, do you live alone and have medical concerns that might prevent you from escaping your home, receiving information about a crisis or sustaining yourself in your home for 72 hours. For example, do you require oxygen from a concentrator that needs electricity to work? Must you take medications that require refrigeration? Are you blind or deaf? Are you wheelchair-bound in an electric/battery operated chair or bed-bound? Do you live with someone who is disabled or cognitively impaired? If you think it would be difficult for you to leave your home or care for yourself for 3 days in an emergency, please take a look at this form on line at: https://www.mountprospect.org/departments/police-department/premise-alert-program or call Human Services 847-870-5680 and we will mail you a copy. If you choose to register, the form must be submitted electronically or by mail to the Mount Prospect Police Department at 911 E. Kensington Road, Mount Prospect, IL 60056. We want everyone in our community to receive the help they need when they need it most!

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The Village's public buildings are open for business. A mask or other face covering is required to enter, pursuant to State of Illinois guidelines. Staff is working and able to help! Contact the Human Services Department 847-870-5680 for assistance.

FOOD PANTRY ASSISTANCE Help is available for individuals and families with children living in Mount Prospect in need of assistance. A financial assessment is required once every six months. Residents who qualify are eligible to access the Food Pantry once a month. Residents must first contact the Human Services Department at 847-870-5680 to schedule a financial assessment appointment.

PLEASE NOTE: We are accepting donations of newly purchased non-perishable food.

Monetary donations are always welcome and can be made online through PayPal. See the Human Services Department page on the Village website for information on how to donate.

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT LENDING CLOSET RETURN PROCEDURES Please call the Human Services Department at 847-870-5680 before dropping off lending closet items at the Village Hall.

RULES OF THE ROAD CLASS This course is intended to give drivers the information and confidence they need to pass their license renewal examination. The class will be held on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. To register, call the Human Services Department at 847-870-5680., Space is limited to 12 participants, due to social distancing, and masks will be required while attending class.

NOTE: Jesse White extended expired Driver's Licenses and ID Cards until June 1, 2021. If you are over the age of 75, your license will be valid one year from the 2020 expiration date.

___________________________________________________ MEDICARE D OPEN ENROLLMENT PROGRAM Thank you to Kenneth Young Center Older Adult Services in Elk Grove Village who shared their Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) Coordinator, Enza Haas, and their SHIP volunteers, Erma and Don, with us. Enza, Erma, and Don assisted our residents with Medicare Part D open enrollment via the phone due to COVID-19. We really appreciate their time and expertise! We hope they come back next year to help us!

HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAMS & SERVICES

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Join Wits Workout:

On your own, in pairs or on a team: Can you come up with 30 words containing the

letters S-T-A-R within them? Can you define 15 slang expressions from the 40s or 50s ?

Are you good at charades? Do you know the state capitals?

Join us the third THURSDAY of every month 10-11:30am on ZOOM

Registration is required by calling 847-870-5680, only 14 participants per class. Must be a Mount Prospect resident. Must have a smart phone, tablet or computer and an email address to participate. Activity sheets will be mailed the Monday before class. Participations will receive the program link the evening before class.

When was the last time your brain felt fatigued from thinking so much? Final exams Jeopardy championships Doing you own income tax

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SPOTLIGHT ON…

MARK BECHTOLD…ELDERLY SERVICE OFFICER

-What is your role with the Mount Prospect Police Department? I am currently a patrolman on day shift, working in beat 3168, which includes Randhurst Mall, Prospect High School, and the new Police Station. I am an Elderly Service Officer, a Juvenile Officer, Training Officer, Peer Support Officer, and part of the Crisis Intervention Team. -How long have you worked with the Mount Prospect Police Department? I have been a police officer for 23 years. -Why do you like working in Mount Prospect? I was born and raised in Mount Prospect, and I love everything about the town. The schools, diversity of the residents, businesses, and love from the community, make this the one department I wanted to work for. -What made you interested in pursuing a career as a police officer? Ever since I was young, I've been moved to defend those who can't defend themselves. Also, I have always been offended by injustice and view this profession as a natural fit to maintain justice, as well as defend those who need to be defended. -What interested you in the Elderly Service Officer program? I have always loved talking to the elderly! I love the stories told, the fact that they have seen true hardship and overcome it. I love learning from their practical wisdom. And I am inspired by their friendship. Unfortunately, the willingness to befriend often leads to the elderly being victimized. I view this role as an opportunity to help prevent this. -Have you had any other specialized training (i.e. CIT), or received any awards, etc. (*Any awards related to working a case with seniors or for your work with seniors in the community or any award.) Just my credentials listed above. -Tell us an interesting fact about yourself. All my schooling has been in Mount Prospect (Busse School, Lions Park, Lincoln Middle School, Prospect High School, & Christian Life College). I have a degree in Pastoral Studies. I'm married for 23 years with 5 kids. -If you could tell the seniors living in Mount Prospect anything, would what it be? Be vigilant. Watch for suspicious people, vehicles, and circumstances. If something doesn't feel right, let the police know about it. If a phone call, visitor, or mailing seems too good to be true, it most likely is.

MOUNT PROSPECT POLICE DEPARTMENT

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All library programs are virtual, presented using Zoom. Participants must register and provide a working email address to receive the login information. To register for any of the programs listed, call 847-253-5675 or visit www.mppl.org.

Paper Management: Take Control of Your Paper! Tuesday, January 26, 7:00 – 8:00 pm Do you question what papers to keep and for how long? Can you find the paperwork you need at the time when you need it? M. Colleen Klimczak, Certified Professional Organizer and owner of Peace of Mind Professional Organizing, LLC, will offer tips and suggestions on what to keep, what to shred, what to save and how to save it.

Financial Forecast for 2021 Tuesday, February 2, 7:00 – 8:00 pm What does 2021 hold for the stock market, stormy weather or sunny skies? John Daly, CFP of Daly Investment Management will discuss how the markets fared in 2020 and the expectations for 2021. This educational presentation takes a look back at last year’s predictions by pundits along with an outlook for the coming year given the current economic environment.

Making the Most of Social Security Wednesday, February 10, 7:00 – 8:00 pm Mike Heatwole, Certified Financial Planner™ and Founder of The Dala Group, will provide social security benefits filing strategies available to single individuals, married couples, divorced individuals, and widows. These strategies can often provide higher monthly lifetime benefits compared to the standard filing options typically selected. He will also cover topics such as social security earned income limits and the taxation of social security benefits.

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Mount Prospect Senior Living 1111 South Linneman Road • Mount Prospect, IL 60056 847-250-6029 •

www.MountProspectSeniorLiving.com

In-person meetings will take place at 1002 South Elmhurst Road, Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056, until the community is open.

Enriching the lives of those we serve, one resident at a time Life at Mount Prospect Senior Living starts with a vibrant, welcoming and warm environment that is coupled with exceptional, personalized and supportive care. FEATURES AND BENEFITS

Multiple Floor Plan Options – there is a right fit for you 24-Hour Assistance – we are here when you need us Restaurant-Style Dining – dining elevated to its finest Housekeeping – worry-free lifestyle Pet-Friendly – because everyone needs their best friend Utilities (excluding phone) – no more surprising bills Positive and Professional Associates – passionately dedicated to your needs

Kenzie Senior Residences at Randhurst Opening in Spring of 2021

The Kenzie Senior Residences is designed for independent seniors age 55 and better. The building specifically addresses the physical and social needs of the active elderly. It offers a blend of carefree living along with the convenient location proximity to many points of interest and optional services. A thriving social life is supported by a variety of community spaces such as: Game Room – often used for card playing, pool and gatherings Community Room – often used for exercise programs Arts & Crafts Room Theater for watching films TV Lounges to watch your favorite TV programs A cozy library to sit and read Fully equipped computer room Beautiful outside garden patio space to gather and enjoy the seasons Elegant dining area to share a meal with friends and family members For information, call Michelle Sanchez, Marketing, 401 East Kensington Road, Mount Prospect, IL 60056 224-282-8186 or email her at michelle@perlmark.com. Website: https://www.kenziesenior.com/

COMMUNITY EVENTS & INFORMATION

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