Organizers of a week of events designed for seniors and kicking off April 26 say the line-up offers both the fun and the serious.
“What I hope they get out of it is, it’s not so bad to get old,” said Pat Koko, volunteer and treasurer for Celebrating Seniors, which serves seniors in Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park.
Celebrating Seniors Week 2018, running from April 26-May 3, features more than 40 events that are educational, informational or fun, Koko said.
“Those are the three highlights that we’ve always tried to do, and I think it’s worked really well,” she added. The first Celebrating Seniors Week was organized in 2011.
Jill Wagner, chairwoman of Celebrating Seniors, said this year’s Older Americans Month theme is “Engage at Every Age.” The local week of events — which Wagner said raises awareness of the concerns and issues older adults face, and what they value — is happening a bit earlier than in years past, in an effort to avoid conflicts that typically occur later in May.
The most important event in the line-up, Koko said, is the advanced directives challenge, inviting seniors — or any age group, she noted — to fill out legal forms identifying their end-of-life decisions, on April 26 at Ascension Church in Oak Park.
“You have to start that conversation somewhere,” she said. “Every age needs to have this done.”
Koko also expects seniors will be interested in a new event discussing the benefits of medical cannabis, on May 2 at the Oak Park Public Library.
“A lot more people are talking about how it can be helpful for managing pain,” Koko said.
The schedule also features talks on end-of-life care, downsizing, genealogy research and how seniors can avoid being victims of scams; movie screenings and book talks; sessions on yoga, movement and fall prevention; and events involving improv and the importance of humor.
“Any time that we, as a community, get together and bring aging to the forefront and make it less scary and more approachable is wonderful,” Wagner said.
Other highlights include the Celebrating Seniors BlazeATrail 5K Run/Walk that kicks off the morning of April 28 at Keystone Park in River Forest, and the Pet Pals in the Park event that follows it. Closing out the week is a dinner for this year’s 60 Over 60 at the Nineteenth Century Club in Oak Park, recognizing local seniors who’ve made a difference in the community.
“It’s just a terrific opportunity to, every year, have a time where you commemorate seniors, and set them aside as special,” said Carla Sloan, River Forest Township supervisor.
Sloan noted that the week is organized by a handful of volunteers, and that core group has dwindled. Those interested in volunteering in the future are encouraged to contact Celebrating Seniors officials.
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“In order to keep this great thing going, we need volunteers to make it happen,” Sloan said.
For more information and a full schedule of events, visit www.celebratingseniors.net.
Caitlin Mullen is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.