By: Ashmar Mandou
Casa Central, one of the largest Latino social service agencies in the Midwest, is redefining what it means to age in honor of Older Americans Month. “We often think of aging as something scary,” said Director of Senior Services at Casa Central Mayra Quinones. “Seniors tend to think that just because they are getting older they have nothing to contribute, they isolate themselves, and sit on the couch to watch TV all day. They let time pass them by and that’s why it’s important that here at Casa Central we want to change that narrative.”
Each May older Americans are recognized for their valuable contributions, unique abilities, and experiences as a way to move away from negative perceptions and misconceptions about aging with this year’s theme being “Flip the Script on Aging.” The theme encourages a more positive outlook on aging, focusing on the plethora of ways older adults can remain active and engaged. The programs at Casa Central are prime examples of how they are shifting the narrative of aging. “There is so much life to be lived past retirement, which is what we want to make sure our senior community understands,” said Quinones. “Life doesn’t stop once you reach a certain age. Seniors have so much to offer and we are here to help them feel their best. We are here to address their cognitive, emotional, and physical well-being through a services.”
Casa Central’s accredited Adult Wellness Center (AWC) offers daily center-based care to Latino and other older adults, 60 years of age and older, and provides a wide variety of fun and therapeutic activities that help older adults maintain their health. The Adults Wellness Center provides supervised activities, such as arts and crafts, aerobics, arthritis and balance exercise programs, cultural exchanges, dance club, theatre club, and field trips. “We want to make clear that this isn’t a nursing home, this is more like a social club. We want our seniors to come here and feel like they are right at home. They are busy here moving from one activity to another and we see the changes in their physical and mental state from when they walk through our doors for the first time to now. Of course, each individual is different, but it’s wonderful to see a senior go from talking about medications to talking about their hobbies and what they are learning,” said Quinones.
New to the AWC program is their computer course where they teach seniors basic skills in an effort to help them keep up in the digital age. The course is a 4-week program where seniors take classes once a week to learn how to check emails, type, even create postcards to share with their family members. With the help of Comcast, several laptops were donated to Casa Central. The response has been incredible, state Quinones. “They are so excited and cannot wait to send emails to their loved ones. For most of them this was their first time ever touching a keyboard.”
Quinones encourages family members interested in learning more about what Casa Central has to offer to pay them a visit. AWC offers a private tour where staff members will share more about the program and answer any questions you have as well as provide lunch. If you are interested in our program and seeking subsidized care, you must call the Illinois Department on Aging for a referral. Please inform them that you are interested in their program specifically (The Adult Wellness Center Program at Casa Central). The Chicago Department of Family Support Services can be contacted by phone at 312.744.4016.
Photo Caption: Casa Central celebrates the contributions and experiences of seniors in honor of Older Americans Month and ‘Flips the Scripts on Aging.’
