Caring for seniors has always been in my heart, and that’s why I joined Catholic Charities 15 years ago.
Growing up in Roseland, I was surrounded by strong, older women in a multi-generational household. I was fortunate to be in the same home as my great-grandparents, and our neighborhood was full of seniors — that population spoke to me.
Later, when I became a care coordinator and saw the services we could offer to keep seniors in their own homes and communities, I knew I had found my calling.
I started as a program director for Catholic Charities in the south suburbs and now, as vice president of senior services, I manage five care coordination units in Matteson, two Chicago sites at Belmont and Knox avenues and St. Casimir in Marquette Park. We also have a site at the Arlington Heights Senior Center and at the Schreiber Center in Round Lake.
We serve 30,000 low-income seniors with our 86 care coordinators, who visit seniors’ homes, hospitals and other senior housing communities across the Chicago area, including nine suburban townships and Lake County.
I’m energized and motivated by the wonderful seniors we serve every single day. These are the people who took care of our communities. These are the people whose shoulders we’re standing on, because they are the ones who developed the very communities we serve.
I also draw inspiration from my team. The way they work with seniors and are passionate about what we do keeps me going.
Our care coordinators work with seniors living on their own to determine how we can help. My team talks to them about cooking, cleaning, bathing, mobility issues, medication schedules and other tasks of daily living. With this information, we create a care plan that details the support we can provide to help the seniors stay in their home and thrive in the community.
That care plan may include a family caregiver or other helper who comes to the home to do the cooking, cleaning, laundry and assist with grooming. Or the plan may include transporting the senior to a facility for adult day services for socialization, while their caregiver is at work or school.
We can also assist with medication dispensary machines, emergency home response systems, home-delivered or congregate meals and other helpful supports.
We want to be able to help seniors age in place with dignity. Who doesn’t want to be aging in the comfort of their own home? Everyone deserves this level of care.
If you are a senior and want to see if you’re eligible for services, please contact the Charities Resource Hub at 312-655-7700.