As winter bears down on Chicago, elderly residents are urged to bundle up, register for well-being checks and take advantage of the numerous senior-citizen services offered by the city.
Mayor Richard Daley, the Department of Aging, and 30 different organizations and health-care providers offered these tips and more Monday at the fifth annual Senior Fair. Sponsored by state Rep. Harry Osterman (D-Chicago), the fair offered free health screenings, information packets and exhibits.
“The goal is to bring health-care providers out to our community and for them to provide access and information on how senior citizens can improve and take care of their health,” Osterman said.
At one point, more than 400 seniors were doing neck twists and leg bends at the instruction of an exercise coach. Joyce Gallagher, director of the Chicago Department on Aging, advised attendees to register for the city’s 311 service and for well-being checks.
“We will call seniors to see how they are doing, and we make personal visits,” Gallagher said. She also suggested that city residents keep a careful eye on elderly neighbors, especially during extremely cold or inclement weather.
