Senior Living Information Blog

New Transportation Alternative for 60+ on the North Side

I just learned about a new service for seniors who need transportation.  And transportation is one of the major keys to independence.  Some people cannot drive and become isolated.  Some continue to drive even when they probably should not.  This could be a viable solution for some seniors.

Fact: More than half of non-drivers 65 or older stay home on any given day partially because they lack transportation options.

The program is community based and community supported.  There is an annual membership fee of $50 for an individual, and then you order a prepaid account card based on the estimated usage.  They are estimating about $10 a ride.

Rides are available 24X 7 in private cars so it is like riding with a friend, not riding in a taxi.  You do not pay cash, and you do not tip.  Drivers are trained professionals.  Anyone over the age of 60 is eligible.  And if you are low-income they do have a few "Road Scholarships" available. Families and friends can also buy gift certificates that can be used for the rides.

Another alternative is that the senior can trade their car in for rides.  (As well as receive a possible tax deduction.)

It is just starting here in Chicago so they currently only serve the north side. 

For more information, visit their website at ITNChicago

On a complete side note, I decided to post a photo of the pothole(s) on Lake Shore Drive that cost me $400 after I ran over it.  In this city at this time of the year, leaving the driving to someone else just to save on car maintenance would be worth it!  Be careful when exiting south onto North Avenue...

Mr. Bouey Returns To Share His Experience of a Lifetime at the Inauguration

As a follow up to a post from last month - I wanted to share what Mr. Bouey had to say about his recent trip to the Inauguration of President Barack Obama...

“I felt born again,” said Alfred Bouey, resident of Holley Court Terrace, a Brookdale Senior Living community in Oak Park, Ill.  “I never dreamed this day would ever happen in American history. I have witnessed not only my greatest wish, but also the dream of my parents,” said Bouey, the grandson of slaves. “I’m still on cloud nine,” he said.

Bouey began to get excited the morning he and his family left for Washington, D.C. Once  they arrived  at the hotel, that’s when it hit him; he would be witnessing history in the making. The most memorable part of the trip was seeing President Obama taking the oath. “I felt pure joy,” said Bouey. “Tears were flowing all around me, and down my cheeks as well.”

What a joyful story to tell.  For this whole story and other inspiring stories of seniors who get to live out their dream, go to Brookdales Experience of a Lifetime Page.

Searching for a Retirement Community.. with my parents..

This past weekend I went to Florida.  For some reason the temperature just kept dropping, as if I had brought the Chicago cold with me.

My parents just retired two weeks ago.  They have lived just south of Buffalo NY all of their lives and have decided to leave the snow behind for some sunshine.

They investigated a few places on the Internet over the past year and had the opportunity to see a few in Florida earlier.  My mom was totally against the idea until they started visiting them.
I met them down there and got to see what they had been looking at.  I have to tell you we have nothing like these places in Illinois.  I often get requests, but without the sunshine, I just don't think we can compete.  As much as I would like them to be near me, I don't think I hold a candle to year round golf... and they would still have snow to deal with though I am sure it would be shoveled for them.

Everyone kept asking me if the places we looked at were filled with OLD people.  My parents are young, only 60 & 63.  My view of old people is very skewed.  You are not old until you hit about 90 in my mind.  But I was still surprised to see a lot of people my parents age.

I am really excited for this next chapter in their lives and really feel that it will add years to their lives.  I can't wait to find out which community they finally decide on.  And I also can't wait to spend next Christmas in the sunshine instead of a blizzard.