Chicago Methodist Senior Services (CMSS) is beyond grateful for the unwavering support of Argentium Care, a nonprofit organization that CMSS acquired in the fall of 2019, which was comprised of an Evanston-based home services program and a volunteer-friendly visitor and friendly caller program. Our commitment to quality home services for older adults made it a clear choice to bring Argentium Care under CMSS’ continuum of care.
The CMSS board members and staff recently decided to change the name of Argentium Care’s home services program back to SASI to help ensure its future growth and success. Hence, our home services program is now known as SASI and our volunteer-friendly visitor and friendly caller program continues to be known as Senior Connections, both divisions of CMSS. Returning to the SASI name allows our home services program to continue to use its existing tag line, Serving Adults. Supporting Independence. (SASI), while at the same time paying homage to it being one of the only nonprofit providers of home services in the Chicago and North Shore area. CMSS is excited to support adults aging in place through these programs.
SASI, a licensed home services provider by the State of Illinois, offers non-medical support services by trained caregivers. These caregivers provide older adults with companionship, safety, overnight care, meal preparation and more. Through Senior Connections, seniors are matched with trained volunteer visitors or callers at no cost to them. This intergenerational program matches volunteers and seniors through their shared interests. Both caregivers and volunteers alleviate some of the pressure family members experience caring for loved ones by performing tasks that might otherwise be considered overwhelming, daunting or risky by an older adult.
Tricia Mullin, the Executive Director of SASI and Senior Connections, hopes to build upon these programs’ successes. Mullin, who has a master’s degree in gerontology, and is a licensed social worker, has dedicated her career to aging, having spent 25 years in the field. She began CMSS’ original home care program in 1997 and the program ran successfully for over ten years before merging with the former SASI in 2015. Mullin is thrilled to be back with CMSS and back to her original roots in home services, where she is so proud of how engaged the staff is.
“The commitment and passion of the Team, in its entirety, speaks to why our staff tenure is so impressive,” Mullin said. “Everyone has the vision to work hard and offer services that are reliable and responsive. while meeting the needs of older adults where they call ‘home’.”
If you would like to learn more about SASI, you can find additional information on our website.