Seniors

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Updated: February 27, 2012 8:16AM

Oak Park Arms

Oak Park Arms Retirement Community, 408 S. Oak Park Ave., offers events for adults of all ages. All programs are free and open to the public. For more information visit www.oakparkarms.com or call Jill Wagner at (708) 386-4040. The Oak Park Arms is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay — a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

“Ask the Nurse”: 9 a.m. every Tuesday in November. Workshop is run by registered nurse Patricia Dezynski who will be checking blood pressure, weight, oxygen saturation levels and blood sugar. Attendees are encouraged to ask the nurse question about health, medications and other concerns they may have about their well-being.

Sit and Be Fit: 9:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Sitting calisthenics class for seniors.

Walk and Roll: 5 p.m. Mondays and 10:15 a.m. Tuesdays. Meet at the Oak Park Arms main entrance on Oak Park Avenue for a half-mile to one-mile social walk through Oak Park.

Chair Yoga: 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays. Focuses on breathing and stretching techniques.

Tai Chi Level One: 1 p.m. Thursdays. Helps increase one’s flexibility and mental clarity.

Power Tai Chi: 1 p.m. Thursdays.

Happy Body Workshop: 9:30 a.m. Thursdays. An applied breathing for extension exercise class.

Oak Park
Township

Oak Park Township Senior Services, 418 S. Oak Park Ave. E-mail seniors@oakparktownship.org; call Dana Ferdinand, (708) 383-8060; or visit Web site, www.oakparktownship.org. Events in fifth floor lunch room unless otherwise noted.

Lunch Program: Served 11:30 a.m. Monday-Friday, for a suggested contribution of $1.50/meal. All residents 60 and older are welcome and encouraged to attend. Transportation available, call (708) 383-4806. Upcoming menu: Today, chicken Parmesan; Jan. 27, white fish; Jan. 30, meatloaf; Jan. 31, white fish; Feb. 1, beef tips; Feb. 2, sweet and sour chicken.

Get Coupons for Dine Out: Program between 9-11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Offers seniors the opportunity to enjoy affordable, nutritious lunches or dinners at specified local restaurants. Suggested donation $3.50.

Caregiver Support Group: 10 a.m.-noon Jan. 27 in the sixth floor offices. Open to all individuals who have issues which they would like to share with others. This ongoing support group is free. Participants are afforded the opportunity to share their experiences and provide encouragement through group interaction. Call Dana Ferdinand at (708) 383-8060.

AARP Tax-Aide Program: Free basic tax preparation assistance is available for persons with low and middle income with special attention to those age 60 and older. Appointments can now be made to see a tax counselor at 9:30, 10:30 or 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday from Feb. 1 through April 12. Individuals will need to bring last year’s federal and state tax returns, all 2011 tax documents and identification for themselves and dependents. To schedule an appointment, call (708) 383-8060.

SHIP: (Senior Health Insurance Program). Offers free insurance counseling that assists Medicare recipients with their claims, supplemental insurance and drug plan, as well as, applying for other state and federal benefits. A SHIP volunteer is available by appointment only to offer assistance. Counseling is conducted at Oak Park Township Senior Services on the sixth floor offices. Those seeking guidance are asked to phone (708) 386-8060 to arrange a day and time to be seen.

Do You or Someone: you know care for an elderly person? The Caregiver Support Program is offered to those who may be caring for a loved one. Included are respite options, video resources, caregiver group program and referral services. Call Dana Ferdinand at (708) 383-8060.

Affordable Wills: Simple wills written at low cost for seniors age 60 and older.

Are You OK?: Free daily call by the Oak Park Police Department to check on the well-being of Oak Park and River Forest seniors.

Carrier Watch: Mail carriers alert police authorities if no mail pick up has been made after two days.

Circuit Breaker: Applications, information and assistance on annual property tax/rent rebate and pharmacy benefit for handicapped persons and seniors age 65 and older.

Energy Assistance: Annual grants and energy assistance for low-income households.

Red Tape Cutters: A benefits advocacy program helping older persons understand and access benefits and services.

Money Management Program: Offered to residents of Oak Park and River Forest. Sponsored by both the Illinois Department on Aging and the AARP, is designed to assist limited-income individuals in managing their finances with the help of a trained volunteer. Services include bill sorting, budgeting and check writing for payment.

Park District
of Oak Park

The Park District of Oak Park offers a variety of programs and trips for Seniors and Active Adults. To find out more or to register visit www.oakparkparks.com or call Meredith Schwartz at (708) 725-2150.

Senior Dancing Hour: Call for time. Feb. 20 at Longfellow Center, 610 S. Ridgeland Ave., at Jackson Boulevard. Dance the afternoon away every third Monday of the month. DJ James Rohrbacher will play all of your old favorites. Bring a partner, come with a friend or come solo and meet some new people.

Book Worms Book Club: 10:30-noon, Feb. 23 at Cheney Mansion. A lively discussion each month. February’s book selection is Still Alice by Lisa Genova. Copies of the book are reserved for the Book Worms Book Club at the main Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St., under “Park District of Oak Park Book Worms.” Fee: $1 for Active Adult members; $2 for nonmembers.

Current Events: Discussion Group meets 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month; Brain Builders meets on the second Thursday of each month; and Drop-In Games meets every Tuesday (Scrabble, Bridge, Mah Jongg and Chess). Classes begin in January, February and March and include “Winter Warmer Crafts,” “Memory Keepers” and “Keepsake Crafts.” Programs meet at Longfellow Center, 610 S. Ridgeland Ave., (at Jackson Boulevard) in Oak Park.

The Lifelong
Learning Center

The Senior Citizens’ Center of OPRF, The Lifelong Learning Center, 414 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park. Membership open to individuals 50+. Membership $50 per year. More than 14 weekly activities offered including language classes, arts programming and more. Call (708) 848-5251 or contact sccoprf@sbcglobal.net.

Beading Class: 1 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month.

Stained Glass Class: 1-3 p.m. Wednesdays, six weeks.

Beginning Crochet: 10 a.m. Mondays.

Weaving: 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

“Scribblers”: 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays. Join a group of individuals to share your writing. Get support and inspiration.

Bridge: Noon Wednesdays.

Lapidary Workshop: 1 p.m. Wednesdays.

Woodshop: 1 p.m. Wednesdays.

Ceramics: 1 p.m. Thursdays.

German Language: 12:30 p.m. Fridays.

Fine Arts: 1 p.m. Fridays. Watercolor or acrylics.

Italian Language: 9:30 a.m. Saturdays.

River Forest
Community Center

River Forest Community Center, 8020 Madison St. Register for trips (708) 771-6159, Ext. 200. Annual membership dues $20.

Card Club: Bridge, 12:30-3:30 p.m. Feb. 2 and Feb. 16. Refreshments served. All levels welcome, but, must have basic knowledge of game. Call (708) 771-6159, Ext. 277 if you plan to attend so there will be enough refreshments.

West Cook
YMCA

West Cook YMCA, 255 S. Marion St., in Oak Park. Call Barb Usmial (708) 434-0202; e-mail busmial@opymca.org; fax (708) 383-0159.

Free Senior Fridays: Age 62 and older invited to visit free on Fridays. Swim, walk/jog, use fitness center, play racquetball, much more.