Seniors
For many years, Bellwood has recognized just how much senior citizens add to the diversity and vibrancy of the community. The village continues to benefit from the contributions of its active and visible senior population, and understands why it’s important to make a priority of offering programs, services and special events tailored to the senior community.
Bellwood residents can take advantage of many programs, services and resources offered close to home by West Suburban Senior Services and the Memorial Park District.
West Suburban Senior Services, which runs its Senior Center at 439 Bohland Ave. in Bellwood, has been assisting senior citizens in the near West Cook County suburbs township for more than 30 years. As a charitable, non-profit organization, the agency provides a variety of services, programs and assistance exclusively to address the needs of senior citizen residents.
Senior Center
Beginning as a transportation agency assisting senior citizens with rides to physicians, hospitals, grocery shopping and other locations, the agency has expanded its services and the communities it serves. The services have grown over the years and include an array of community-based programs. Each year, more than 6,000 senior citizens and their families are served. While the majority of services are provided in senior citizens’ homes, the agency operates out of three sites in Bellwood, LaGrange and Forest Park. In addition, staff routinely works with senior citizens in area hospitals, nursing homes and retirement communities.
Seniors: Save These Dates!
Holiday Food Drive
West Suburban Senior Services is sponsoring a holiday food drive from Nov. 1 – Dec. 31 to help local pantries respond to growing needs in area communities. Donations of nonperishable food, toiletries and cleaning products may be dropped off at the Senior Citizen Center in Bellwood, OARS Center in LaGrange and River Park Center in Forest Park, weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4 pm. Donations will be distributed to local food pantries throughout the holiday season. Additional information is available by calling (708) 547-5600.
Sharing Tree
West Suburban Senior Services announces its annual Sharing Tree in the lobby of the Senior Citizen Center in Bellwood. The tree is decorated with ornaments that indicate inexpensive items designated agency clients would enjoy. Ornaments are coded, and no names appear on them. Area residents are invited to select an ornament from the Sharing Tree weekdays from Nov. 19 – Dec. 4 from 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. and purchase one of the listed items. The wrapped gift should then be tagged with the tree ornament and returned to the Senior Center by Dec. 11 for distribution to agency participants and clients.
Making the Most of Your Medicare
AgeOptions is presenting two workshops at the Senior Citizen Center in Bellwood to help seniors be informed consumers about Medicare and the changes pending for next year. The first session on Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. is being presented in Spanish. The Nov. 17 session from 12:30 p.m. - 2 p.m. is being presented in English. Lunch is served both days (to seniors age 60 and older) at 11:30 a.m. for the suggested donation of $2. Reservations are required by 12 noon on Nov. 10 and Nov. 16, respectively.