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SASI Stories: SASI Client, Judith

A caregiver loads sheets and towels into a washing machine.

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 and friends. SASI Care Partners […]

How to Have an Enjoyable Visit

Hands of an older woman puttering together a puzzle on a glass tabletop.

When your friend or loved one is living with memory loss it can change the way they socialize and communicate, but your time together can still be enjoyable and meaningful. This blog provides guidelines to help you have a meaningful interaction with your loved one living with memory loss. Often, people with dementia will have […]

SASI Stories: SASI Care Partner, Angie

A woman helps an elderly woman using a walker.

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 and friends. SASI Care Partners […]

SASI Stories: SASI Care Partner, Dan

A caregiver helps an older adult shave.

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 and friends. SASI Care Partners […]

CARES Memory Care Training for Families

Image of two women smiling at each other.

CMSS is thrilled to offer our community complimentary access to CARES® Dementia Training for families. This program will help you reduce stress and feel confident in caring for your loved one.

VR Gives Caregivers First-Hand Experience of Memory Loss

Chicago Methodist Senior Services logo

Our work with virtual reality organization Embodied Labs was recently featured in an article in HealthiAR. CMSS staff has fortune to work with Embodied Labs’ innovative VR technology to learn how staff and caregivers can better care for people with memory loss. Read more about how this training will impact staff, caregivers and residents here.

Celebrating Volunteers Who Give Back to Older Adults

volunteers help plant flowers just outside a Chicago Methodist Senior Services operated building

At Chicagoland Methodist Senior Services (CMSS), we’re always looking for new ways to bring joy to our residents and celebrate our volunteers, and recently, we’ve had two notable occasions to do both at Wesley Place.

How to Plan Holiday Meals for Older Adults With Dietary Restrictions

Three women try working on the same dish at the same time

This holiday season, what food are you most looking forward to? Maybe a tender ham, a sweet slice of pie with ice cream, or even a cocktail or two? If this sounds similar to the menu for your holiday meals, you aren’t alone. Unfortunately, for many older adults who are on doctor’s orders to follow […]

Help Your Older Loved Ones Enjoy the Holidays

Granddaughter Celebrating Thanksgiving With Grandparents

At this time of year, many of us gather with family and friends to to take part in holiday traditions. Although it is a joyful time, it can also be difficult one for many older adults, especially those who have recently lost loved ones and those who are no longer able to travel easily. Even […]

Caregivers: Ways to Engage Your Loved Ones in Fun Activities

Senior Asian couple reading magazine

In addition to the games and craft projects we’ve been discussing, there are many other activities that you can enjoy with your older loved ones. Whether your loved one is dealing with dementia or a physical illness, many of these activities can be adapted to fit their needs and abilities.

Chicago Caregiver Resources 101

Guide Download regarding Picking the right supportive and assisted living facility

Caring for a spouse, parent or other family member with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease is an immense commitment that often requires lifestyle changes and increases stress. It’s no surprise that many caregivers have difficulty making time to care for themselves in the midst of their responsibilities. Fortunately, there are many resources available for caregivers who […]

Caregiving Spotlight: What It’s Like Looking After an Ill Parent or Spouse

Guide Download regarding Picking the right supportive and assisted living facility

Providing care for an ill parent or spouse is something that we often don’t ever plan for. It’s easy to assume that you’ll never be the caregiver for a loved one in your life. However, recent research by University of Rhode Island’s Schmidt Labor Research Center, found that “1 in 3 workers currently face elder […]

Surviving and Thriving as a Caregiver

Guide Download regarding Picking the right supportive and assisted living facility

Caring for an older loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease is a big commitment. Between doctor appointments, keeping up with medication schedules and finding new ways to adapt to the progression of the illness, it can be difficult for caregivers to find time to take care of themselves, which can lead to emotional stress, […]

How Caregiving Changes Your Relationships

Guide Download regarding Picking the right supportive and assisted living facility

Though the technical aspects of caregiving, which includes tasks such as administering medication or escorting to medical appointments, are frequently top-of-mind for caregivers, a much less discussed issue revolves around how caregiving may change your relationships with your loved ones. While there is no one set type of caregiving relationship, two of the most common […]

How to Avoid the Pitfalls of Discharge Planning

For your older loved one, going home from the hospital after an injury or illness is likely to be a welcomed move. Recovering at home is typically much more comfortable than an extended hospital stay, but it can be challenging to facilitate a smooth transition. Often, when patients are discharged from the hospital, they’re not […]

What to Ask Doctors Before Leaving the Hospital

  After being given the green light to bring your hospital stay to an end, you’ll likely be anxious to get out as quickly as possible (and we can’t blame you!). Unfortunately, leaving the hospital doesn’t mean you’re leaving the reason for your visit behind. Because most people don’t leave the hospital fully recovered, but […]

Three Reasons to Develop an Advance Directive (Today!)

An aged hand uses a pen to write a journal entry in a lined notebook

If you’ve been considering writing an advance directive (also known as a living will) but haven’t sat down to put your wishes on paper, you should stop waiting and start writing. An advance directive is a legal document that lets you voice your decisions about end-of-life care. Your health care professionals and loved ones will […]

How Home Care Really Works: An Inside Look

A senior adult male is helped with putting his coat on by a younger man

Home care is a viable option for older adults who are beginning to find daily activities more challenging but are looking for something other than a nursing home or assisted living facility. But how does home care actually work? It can vary depending on needs and situation, but here are a few of the basics. […]

Is Home Care Right For You or Your Loved Ones? 10 Questions to Ask.

A senior adult is helped with a shirt button

If you’ve been struggling to decide whether home care is the best way to help you or your loved one live a more comfortable life, you know that there are many factors to consider. Below are 10 important questions to ask yourself to help determine if home care is right for your situation. 1.   […]

Five Ways to Help Those with Memory Problems Cope During the Holidays

plush snowmen

The excitement of the holiday season can become stressful for anyone: from shopping for gifts and cooking lavish meals, to organizing get togethers and traveling, it’s easy to become overwhelmed during the holiday season. For those with memory problems, the holidays can be difficult to keep up with. If you’ll be spending time with a […]

A Day in the Life of a Caregiver

 Have you ever wondered what a day as a caregiver looks like? Whether a live-in, paid caregiver or a family member, it’s hard to truly depict a caregiver’s day as each varies. Take a look at one of their busy days below. Morning: 7:30 am: Rise and shine! The caregiver wakes up, gets ready for […]

Our Favorite Online Resources for Family Caregivers

A senior adult female has her blood pressure checked

Many family caregivers feel overwhelmed, underprepared, alone, and stressed as they face the great responsibility of taking care of their loved one. As we celebrate National Family Caregivers Month, we wanted to share our favorite resources to help the compassionate people who step into the family caregiver role every day. Elderwerks Elderwerks serves as a […]

6 Little Known Facts About the Real Life of Caregivers

A senior adult woman and her middle aged son enjoy a cup of tea in a living room

The vast majority of caregivers for seniors in the U.S. aren’t nurses or trained professionals. They are the spouses, partners, family members, friends and neighbors of the older adults who need care. They are people like you. These caregivers humbly choose to care for their loved ones day in and day out, and they don’t […]