News & Blog

If you have a friend or loved one who is living with memory loss, the way you spend time together may change. Interactions with your loved one may require you to gain new skills and knowledge, but your time together can still be enjoyable and meaningful. Often people living with...

CMSS is proud to introduce Board Member Leslie Knight. Leslie retired at the end of 2017 after an impressive career, including 43 years working at LeadingAge, a national association of non-profit providers of aging services. At LeadingAge Leslie was the Vice President of Member and State Relations, where she served...

Established in 2021, the Spirit Award is presented each year to an exceptional individual or organization whose efforts have had an inspiring impact on the field of aging or the lives of older adults. Spirit Awardees demonstrate CMSS’ core values of dignity, respect, compassion, and equity. This award seeks to...

CMSS’ SASI Home Care program provides non-medical home assistance to adults across Chicagoland. We assist older adults so they can remain in their homes and communities. We focus on ensuring the comfort of the people we serve and work to reduce the burden of care that often falls on family...

Meet Evan Witkowski, the CMSS Board Treasurer since 2022. Evan works as an Institutional Relationship Manager at Wespath Benefits and Investments, an investment firm providing services to the United Methodist Church. In this role, Evan develops and manages relationships with institutional clients, oversees the creation of products and services to...

The Center for Disability & Elder Law (CDEL) provides free legal services to low-income seniors and people with disabilities throughout Cook County. CDEL focuses its efforts on matters related to financial stability, including consumer debt and disputes; housing on behalf of landlords and tenants; estate planning, including end-of-life planning; and...

Advances in modern technology have been accompanied by a significant rise in scams and fraud schemes. While individuals of all ages can be victims of fraud, many scam artists target older adults specifically. This happens because older adults are sometimes less familiar with the technology they are using and usually...

CMSS’ SASI Home Care program provides non-medical home assistance to adults across Chicagoland. We assist older adults so they can remain in their homes and communities. We focus on ensuring the comfort of the people we serve and work to reduce the burden of care that often falls on family...

This spring at Hartwell Place has been full of fun activities and outings. In February, Hartwell Place residents and team members took a trip to the Art Institute of Chicago. One of the best parts about being in Chicago is taking advantage of the museums and cultural institutions across our...

Meet Eden Tekle, one of the newest members of CMSS’ Board of Directors. Eden is the Managing Member/Head of People at Comprehensive Construction Solutions, a Minority/Women-Owned Business that provides facilities management, precision pipe fabrication, HVAC, and more. In this role, Eden develops and executes operational strategies, working closely with VPs, providing...

May 16th is National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day. On this day, we recognize and celebrate the older adults whose activism and bravery have led to greater rights and acceptance for younger generations of LGBT+ individuals. While we celebrate the pioneers of the LGBT+ movement, this day is also a...

Established in 1963, Older Americans Month is celebrated each May. Led by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), a federal agency, Older Americans Month recognizes older Americans’ contributions, highlights aging trends, and reaffirms commitments to serving older adults in our communities. This year’s theme, “Powered by Connection,” focuses on the...

Volunteers make our work possible at CMSS. We are grateful to all the people who dedicate their time to helping older adults live happier, healthier lives.

Everyone has a role to play in creating a supportive society that helps older adults thrive. This list of suggested actions and resources is meant to connect older adults, their families, and their caregivers with opportunities and information to take action.

In the Chicagoland area, the winter can be beautiful but also cold, snowy, and a little unsafe if we are unprepared. Older adults are especially vulnerable to the risks that severe winter weather poses. These Tips for Winter Wellness can help you keep yourself and your loved ones safe.

Hartwell Place has been recognized for its excellent employee engagement by Holleran – a community engagement research and consulting organization.

CMSS was excited to talk with Director Basta about recent IDoA accomplishments and current needs and trends in aging services.

Learn more about CMSS’ Senior Connections program that matches volunteers with older adults to create mutually beneficial friendships that reduce loneliness and social isolation.

Chicago Methodist Senior Services (CMSS) is a non-sectarian and inclusive non-profit organization that provides residences and care to older adults and their families. Some people are surprised to hear us call ourselves “non-sectarian,” while the word “Methodist” clearly appears in our name. The explanation for what may seem like a...

For older adults living with dementia, music therapy can enhance quality of life. Nancy Swanson of Northshore Music Therapy, Inc. is a Board-Certified Music Therapist who works with CMSS residents. She spoke with us about her work and approaches.