The Humans Services Committee meeting document discusses expanded senior services in Evanston. It provides an overview of the range of support, recreational, and educational programs offered to seniors. These include services like snow shoveling, fitness classes, and health seminars. It also summarizes senior demographics, housing options, partnerships with other organizations, grants that fund programs, and transportation services available. The document aims to provide information on current senior offerings and gather input on ways to make Evanston more age-friendly.

1. Humans Services Committee
Meeting
May 5, 2014
City of Evanston
Expanded Senior
Services
Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department

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Senior Services
There are a wide range of services that improve
the quality of life of seniors in the community.
A few examples ……..
Support services
•Snow shoveling
•Information and referral
•Long-Term Care Ombudsman program
Recreation Activities
•Fitness and Athletics
•Art, Dance and Music programs
•Open gym and senior basketball teams
Educational Programs
•Computer and Language classes
•Health and wellness seminars
•Financial seminars
•Brain exercise and memory programs

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What is the definition of
a senior in Evanston?
Individuals 55 and better
(*Many supportive services for
seniors that are underwritten
by government funds
are available to
adults age 60 and older*)
Senior Services

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Senior demographics in Evanston
Demographics
Seniors in Evanston
Year 2000 2010
Total Evanston population 74,239 74,486
55 to 59 years 4,559 4,567
60 to 64 years 3,565 3,777
65 to 74 years 4,023 4,537
75 to 84 years 2,795 2,809
85 years and over 1,903 1,739
Total Evanston senior population 16,845 17,429
Percentage of Evanston 22.10% 23.4%
SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 and 2010 Census of Population

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Demographics
Evanston Senior Housing
Year
2010
# of Residents Living
in Long Term
Care Facilities
# of those
over age 55
Total Evanston population 74,486
Total Evanston seniors 17,429
Independent Living (Mather, Three Crowns, Pres. Homes,
NSRH) 773 773
Assisted Living/Shelter Care 421 421
Intermediate Care 723 342
Intermediate Care Facility/Developmentally Disabled (ICF/DD) 12 5
Skilled Care 577 566
Senior Housing (HACC and HUD facilities)
JACOB BLAKE MANOR 1615 Emerson
PERLMAN APARTMENTS 1900 Sherman Ave.
PRIMM TOWER 1001 Emerson
WALCHIRK APARTMENTS 2300 Noyes Court 383 317
TOTALS: 2,889 2,424

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These long-term care facilities are
licensed and regulated in Evanston.
Assisted Living and Nursing Facilities licensed by the state
1. Alden Estates of Evanston
2. The Highlands & McGaw - Presbyterian Homes
3. The King Home - Presbyterian Homes
4. The Mather
5. Three Crowns Park
6. Dobson Plaza Nursing Home
7. Evanston Nursing and Rehabilitation
8. The Grove
Facilities for persons with mental illness and developmental disabilities
1. Albany Care
2. Greenwood Care
3. Shore Homes East

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Commission on Aging
provide advocacy and ombudsman services in long-term care facilities;
Levy Center Advisory Board
provide recommendations to City staff and the Parks and Recreation Board
regarding the activities at the Levy Center
“Age Friendly Evanston!” Taskforce
provide recommendations to Mayor Tisdahl and the City Council on the
creation and implementation of an action plan supporting the Age Friendly
Initiative
** Levy Senior Center Foundation
separate nonprofit raising fund to supplement Levy Center operating
budget
City of Evanston Senior Services
Boards, Commissions and Committees

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Senior Services Public Partnerships
Age Options
AARP
Arthritis Foundation
CEDA Neighbors at Work
Housing Authority of the County of Cook
State of Illinois Department on Aging
State of Illinois Department of Insurance
Secretary of State
CTA/RTA/Pace
Senior Services Private Partnerships
North Shore Senior Center – Evanston Social Service office
Mather LifeWays
North Shore Retirement Hotel – “MERION”
SASI
Presbyterian Homes

9. File of L.I.F.E
• The File of L.I.F.E., a plastic pouch with a bright red sticker, contains
an information sheet for residents to indicate their medical history,
prescriptions, allergies and emergency contacts.
• This pouch is placed inside the individual’s freezer where
emergency response personnel have been trained to look when
responding to medical emergencies.
• The File of L.I.F.E. (Lifesaving
Information for Emergencies)
is a nationally-recognized program.
• This program is sponsored by the
Evanston Police & Fire Foundation
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An example of a terrific partnership:
GRANDPARENTS AS CAREGIVERS IN EVANSTON
Senior Services
There are 1,040
grandparents living in
an Evanston
household with one or
more of their own
grandchildren under
the age of 18,
of which 356
grandparents are
solely responsible for
their grandchildren.
SOURCE:
U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census 2009
The Levy Center houses the
North Shore Senior Center
Evanston
Social Services Office
Grandparents Raising
Grandchildren Program
There are 27 families that
participate in this monthly
support group.

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The staff is assisted by over 100
volunteers who contribute over 10,000
hours of their time annually.
Volunteers for classes or programs:
Woodcarving instructor
Computer Lab
Special Events
Congregate meal program
Robert Pantoga, Attorney
Jack Lerman, Art Instructor *
Volunteers for services:
Ombudsman
SHIP (Senior Health Insurance Program)
AARP Tax Income Preparers
Levy Center Gift Shop and Levy Center Garden
Senior Services
Volunteers
* An example is the
Community Service
Program of the Noyes
Cultural Arts Center,
which provides a
weekly art class
instructor at the Levy
Senior Center.
This allows members
to take art classes
at no cost!

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SHAP (Senior Health Assistance Program)
provide information on medical and health care plans and programs
Ombudsman
provide advocacy for long-term care facility residents
The state is expanding all ombudsman services to participants who reside in
their own home. This is a reimbursement program based on projected
eligible participants in the managed care and medical assistance waiver
services: 2,241 eligible participants in Evanston
Money Follows the Person
assists Medicaid-eligible residents who live in inpatient facilities to move into
their own homes and communities with support
Ombudsman Bed Tax
assists with supporting the ombudsman services in facilities and expand the
home and community-- based services‐
Senior Services
Grants

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In its 4th
year, Senior Services receives a
grant for Congregate Meal Nutrition
Services of Title III-C funds under the
Older Americans Act.
This grant offsets the cost of each meal
and no eligible senior shall be denied
participation because of inability to
contribute.
This provides well-balanced meals
designed to meet the nutritional needs
and expectations of seniors 60 and over.
Levy Center Garden Café
Mon-Fri 11:30am – 1pm
Fleetwood Wisdom Café
Wed 11:30 – 1pm
*suggested donation $4.50 per meal
Senior Services
Nutrition for community seniors
Congregate Meal programs at Levy Center and Fleetwood Jourdain Community Center

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The Levy Center is home to the Silver
Sneakers Fitness® program
More than 65 major plans across the
United States offer the Healthways
SilverSneakers Fitness Program as a part
of their Medicare Advantage or Medicare
Supplement and group retiree plans.
SilverSneakers is delivered through a
nationwide network of participating locations
such as YMCAs, Curves®
, gyms, wellness
centers and other facilities.
The Levy Center began offering the
Healthways Silver Sneakers fitness
program a year ago.
This medicare health insurance plan offers
gym memberships and a Silver Sneakers
class.
Healthways has
•provided equipment (free weights, elastic
tubing and resistance balls)
•reimburses the City for each
SilverSneakers class their members
participate in at Levy Center
This program helps older adults take greater
control of their health by encouraging
physical activity and offering social events.

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Levy Center Bus
This free shuttle bus takes members to and from
the Levy Senior Center. It also brings seniors to
the main Evanston Public Library and to local
grocery stores weekly.
Evanston Subsidized Taxicab Program
This program is available to qualifying seniors
and mobility-impaired residents.
Public Transportation - “Seniors Ride Free”
The Levy Center is a designated RTA
registration site to apply for the Reduced Fare
Card.
Evanston Wheel Tax Discounts (formerly
Vehicle Sticker) This program provides a 50%
discount on one registered vehicle per
household to Evanston seniors over the age of
65
Senior Services
Senior Services
Transportation for community seniors
The Levy Senior Center bus
was generously donated by the
Levy Family Foundation!

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Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center
The Foster Club is a group of seniors who meet each Wednesday
at the FJCC for programs and activities.
This group also enjoys weekly lunches together, drama club,
exercise sessions and day trips throughout the year
The annual Fashion Show is the Foster Senior Club’s only fundraiser.
All proceeds support events and outings held throughout the year.

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Levy Center focuses on individuals 55 and better
during weekdays.
In the evening and on weekends, the facility is
open to others in the community.
Facility Hours
Monday – Friday 7am – 9pm
Saturday & Sunday 9am – 3pm
Great spaces!
• Garden
• Computer Lab
• Library
• Gift Shop
• Walking “track”
• Fitness room
• Garden Café
• Game room
Senior Services
Levy Center programs
and classes include:
computer training
fitness classes
(Tai Chi to Belly Dance)
classes in the arts
(ceramics and jewelry making to
musical groups)
card games
(bid whist to bridge)
discussion groups
(book club and current events
to African American Genealogy)
… just to name a few!

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The Levy Senior Center earned
national accreditation
from the
National Institute
of Senior Centers,
a constituent unit of the
National Council on Aging.
There are 11,000
senior centers nationwide.
Of the 400 senior centers
in this state, the Levy Center
is only the 6th
to
receive national accreditation!
The Levy Center’s
accountability and quality of
services was proven as the nine
standards of senior center
operations were met.
The Levy Center
staff and volunteers are
preparing to reapply in
2015!

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One appointment! One application! One Card! Six programs!
In one step, residents qualify for certain benefits in the community,
such as
Subsidized Taxicab Program
Wheel Tax Discounts (formerly Vehicle Sticker)
Recreation Program Fee Assistance
Yard Waste Stickers & Cart Discount
Handyman Program *
Merchant Discounts
*Regardless of income, residents age 80 or older qualify for benefits above
except Handyman which is based upon age and income.*
Senior Services
Evanston Benefit Card

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A few examples …..
• AARP driving course
• AARP income tax preparation
• Medicare counseling
• RTA registration site
• Secretary of State Mobile ID Unit
• Benefit Access Program
(formerly Circuit Breaker program)
Senior Services
Community Services
Frequently asked question….
Q What does the Benefit Access Program
cover?
A • Seniors Free Transit Ride
•The Persons with Disabilities Free Transit Ride
• Secretary of State License Plate Discount

21. Prescription Discount Card
sponsored by the National League of Cities
The Prescription Discount Card is available to Evanston residents
through a program sponsored by the National League of Cities (NLC).
This program reduces the costs of prescription drugs for residents who
are without medication coverage or have prescriptions that are not
covered by insurance or other programs.
The card is FREE to all Evanston residents, regardless of age, income
or existing health insurance. By using this card, residents may save an
average of 20% off the regular retail price of prescription drugs.
Evanston residents do not need to complete an enrollment form or pay
a fee to obtain a discount on medications.
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22. Aging Well Conference & Film Festival
The Aging Well Conference and Film Festival for older adults, their
families, professionals and other caregivers will include a wide range of
topics.
Admission to both events is free. All costs are underwritten by the
collaborating organizations and sponsors, including the City of
Evanston
City staff participate on the planning committee, assist in the promotion
and logistics of both events and provide transportation to the
Conference through the Levy Center.
Aging Well Film Festival Wednesday, May 7, 2014 7:00 p.m. at the
Evanston Public Library
Aging Well Conference Friday, May 9, 2014 8:30 a.m. at the Three
Crowns Park 22

23. “Age Friendly Evanston!"
•The City of Evanston is joining
the World Health Organization
(WHO)’s “Age Friendly Cities”
project to provide a system to
educate, encourage, promote,
and recognize improvements that
will make Evanston more user-
friendly not only for senior
residents but for residents of all
ages.
• Mayoral appointed task force
• Assessment of age
friendliness
• Development of three year
action plan through focus
groups, roundtable discussions
and working groups
Public meeting to unveil senior
service feedback results on
Friday, May 23, 2014
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at the
McGaw YMCA
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“Age Friendly Evanston!"
• Chairperson, Susan Cherco
• Transportation, Helen Gagel
• Social Participation, Jo-Ann
Cromer
• Respect & Social Inclusion,
Dorothy Strong
• Housing, Wayne Heimbach
• Outdoor Spaces & Buildings,
Susan Canter
• Communication &
Information, Martha Holmes
• Community & Health
Services, John Barfield
• Civic Participation &
Employment, Isidro Lucas

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Comments,
questions
and suggestions
Senior Services