Articles & Updates

Pathlights’ events, classes and support groups educate and guide adults as they navigate the aging journey.

Pathlights’ Shared Housing Program Gives Older Adults A Taste of College LifeHaving roommates can benefit seniors financially, socially and in safety Palos Heights, IL – With the assessment fees climbing on her two-bed, two bath condominium in the southwest suburbs, 70-year-old widow Marge Smith (not her real name) realized she and her dog Pooch could …

Pathlights’ Shared Housing Program Gives Older Adults A Taste of College Life Read More »

Celebrating 50 Years: Now called Pathlights, this year the organization is celebrating 50 years of guiding older adults through the aging process, helping people stay in their homes as long as possible by providing access to care, food and safety.

Daisy of Oak Lawn was strong for her mom Esther and says her mom was strong for her. As a family caregiver, she cared for her mom in their two-flat building where they enjoyed joint living space since 2012. This proved itself to be an ideal living arrangement after her mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s …

Respite is ‘sanity saver’ for family caregiver Read More »

The other day, Rod Wojcik of Orland Park walked past “Immediate Care Bags” for the homeless in his garage, put together by his youngest grandson Decker, and he couldn’t help but smile. Giving back is a way of life for Wojcik, his wife Lynne, their three adult children and respective spouses, and six grandchildren: Mia, …

Family Values: Volunteering Across Generations Read More »

Raising children is tough. Even the most seasoned experts get stumped at times. When people find themselves in need of a sounding board, someone in a similar situation who can listen to their concerns, empathize with their experience and offer words of encouragement or wisdom can make a big difference. Once a month, Lillie Robinson, …

Grandfamilies: Raising Children For A Second Time Read More »

Donna is a go-getter. She’s curious and motivated to learn new things. She speaks several languages and has lots of diverse interests. When her son was young, the single mom coached his soccer team and participated in 25-mile open road bike rides with him. She spent a rewarding 40-year medical career at some of Chicago’s …

Needed Services After A Hospital or Rehab Stay Read More »

When Barbara was due home following a hospital stay, doctors advised someone check in on her. She chose Pathlights, her local Care Coordination Unit, to fill that role. “They care about you,” she says. Barbara, 82, takes more than 15 pharmaceuticals to manage her medical conditions. Still, it’s a precarious situation to be in. A lengthy …

Medication Safety: A New Program with Pathlights Read More »

Pathlights was a winner in the 31st annual National Mature Media Awards Program honoring the nation’s best marketing, communications, educational materials, and programs produced for older adults. The awards program, presented by the Mature Market Resource Center, a national clearinghouse for the senior market, is the largest program of its kind. The awards were created …

Pathlights Wins Award in 2022 National Mature Media Program Read More »

Pathlights is commemorating World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) with the launch of a new educational video to help raise awareness about abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and share information about support services and community resources people can access for themselves and use to help others. The video details how Pathlights’ teams up with organizations like …

Educating on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Read More »

Elaine Grande is appointed Executive Director by Pathlights’ Board of Directors effective today. Grande brings more than 30 years of successful leadership experience and becomes only the third Executive Director in the nonprofit’s 46-year history. She currently leads all Pathlights program and services as Director of Program Development and has been with the nonprofit for …

Pathlights Announces New Executive Director Read More »

Special Events and Resources in May Older adults play vital, positive roles in our communities – as family members, friends, mentors, volunteers, civic leaders, members of the workforce, and more. Just as every person is unique, so too is how they age and how they choose to do it – and there is no “right” …

Celebrating Older Americans Month Read More »

Supporting nutrition services for older adults since 1972 Pathlights joins the Administration for Community Living and senior nutrition service providers across the country to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the national Senior Nutrition Program (SNP). Since 1972, the SNP has supported nutrition services for older adults. Funded by the Older Americans Act, local senior nutrition …

Senior Nutrition Program 50th Anniversary Read More »

Pathlights received funding from the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) Restore, Reinvest, and Renew (R3) program to support community neighborhoods most impacted by economic disinvestment, violence, and the war on drugs. In partnership with Metropolitan Family Services this grant funds a new campaign to prevent and educate about abuse. The effort, with special focus …

Preventing Abuse in Our Community Read More »

For more than 35 years, JoAnn Gruca, RN, PhD., Associate Professor Emeritus of Nursing at Saint Xavier University, has dedicated vision and insight to support the mission of Pathlights, formerly known as PLOWS Council on Aging. This week Dr. Gruca has been recognized by Crain’s as one of 70 notable nonprofit board members who volunteer to …

Dr. JoAnn Gruca Recognized On Crain’s List of Notable Nonprofit Board Members Read More »

To better inform policymakers on the root causes of poverty and economic insecurity, Kenneth Grunke, Executive Director for PLOWS Council on Aging, has been appointed to the Commission on Poverty Elimination and Economic Security. Grunke’s appointment was made by House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs). The commission consists of four members of the General …

Community Leader Appointed to the Commission on Poverty Elimination and Economic Security Read More »

“The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes.” – Frank Lloyd Wright Research shows that aging well and achieving a beautiful life often depend on a strong social support network and access to community programs and services. Since 1975, PLOWS Council on Aging has been connecting adults 60 years of age and over, as …

Making a Difference for 45 Years Read More »

PLOWS Council on Aging, South Suburban Cook County’s premier leader and connection to aging information and resources, is participating in GivingTuesday, a generosity movement where millions of people come together to support and champion the causes they believe in and the communities in which they live. On GivingTuesday, PLOWS will inspire generosity and ask the …

GivingTuesday Is December 1, 2020 Read More »

If there’s one thing the Rev. Glenn Bergmark has learned in his 85 years of service to others, it’s that one never stops rising to the challenge. After 30 years of meeting those challenges as a member of PLOWS Council on Aging, Bergmark has made the difficult decision to announce his retirement as a member …

A Calling: Pastor, Firefighter & Advocate for Older Americans Read More »