SPRING 2023 SENIOR HEALTH PROGRAMS

Downloadable Calendars

Seniors can download and print a monthly calendar of health and wellness events. Note that the colored calendar dates are programs that require REGISTRATION.

Download a printable calendar of MARCH Senior health programs HERE

Download a printable calendar of APRIL Senior health programs HERE

Download a printable calendar of MAY Senior health programs HERE

(R) – Please register for each program online at cal.olpl.org.

Programs with Advocate Aurora Health

Hormones Gone Wild! What Women Need to Do

Monday, Mar. 27 at 6:30 p.m. in the Café and streaming online at the OLPL YouTube page
Urogynecologist Dr. Denise Furlong will speak about how hormones influence and impact women throughout their lives.

Acid Reflux: Get Me Off My Meds!

Tuesday, May 2 at 6:30 p.m. in the Café and streaming online at the OLPL YouTube page
Gastroenterologist Dr. Imad Elkhatib will discuss acid reflux, including the root causes of heartburn, potential effects of long-term acid reflux, and innovative new procedures to fix GERD and stay off medications.

Skin Cancer Screening

Saturday, May 13 from noon-4:30 p.m. in the Lower Level Meeting Rooms
Dr. Conor Dolehide will offer free skin cancer screenings. To register, please contact Sue Latocha, MS, BSN, RN, CCRN, Regional Community Outreach for Advocate Aurora Health at susan.latocha@aah.org.

The ABCs of High Blood Pressure and Heart Failure

Monday, May 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the Café and streaming online at the OLPL YouTube page
Cardiologist Dr. Vinh Chau will explain the effects of blood pressure on the heart and review the risk factors and progression of heart failure.

Bladder Leaks: Say Goodbye to Incontinence!

Monday, May 22 at 6:30 p.m. in the Café and streaming online at the OLPL YouTube page
Urogynecologist Dr. Denise Furlong will discuss female incontinence and possible treatments.

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Alzheimer’s & Dementia Support Group

Mondays, Apr. 10 & May 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the Café
An opportunity for family members, friends and caregivers to share their feelings, thoughts and experiences in a safe environment with others going through similar things. No registration required – please drop in. Facilitated by Mary Murphy, RN, BSN, CDP (Certified Dementia Practitioner) of Hibernian Home Care.

Who’s Got Game? (R)

Tuesdays, Apr. 11 & 18, May 9 & 16 from 10-11 a.m. in the Café
Join us twice a month to play classic board and tabletop games! Registered attendees will be entered to win a small goodie bag at the end of each month. Light refreshments will be served. Supplies for this program are partially funded via the AgeOptions Library CARES ARPA grant. Sponsored in part by JenCare.

Decreasing Chronic Inflammation through an Anti-Inflammatory Lifestyle Program Series

This three-part series is facilitated by Rachel Garrison, RN, BSN, Advocate Christ Medical Center.

Feeding your Microbiome

Thursday, Mar. 23 at 7 p.m. in the Café
How does your gut connect to mental health, gluten sensitivity and hormonal imbalances? We will review foods that can help restore microbiomes.

Food as our Medicine

Thursday, Mar. 30 at 7 p.m. in the Café
What’s the link between nutrition and chronic illness? Learn tips to balance blood sugar, plan meals, read labels and implement an anti-inflammatory lifestyle.

Programs with Oasis Senior Advisors

Oasis Senior Advisors offers free, community-based referral placement assistance to aid in finding a place just right for you or your loved one. All programs will be presented by Julianne Rizzo, RN, MBA, CSA (Certified Senior Advisor).

It’s Okay to Place Your Loved One (R)

Wednesday, Apr. 5 at 6:30 p.m. in the Café
We will discuss empathizing with your loved one’s emotions about moving, the variety of living options that meet multiple needs and strategies to consider those options.

Parkinson’s Disease (R)

Thursday, May 18 at 1 p.m. in the Café
Learn about the signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, as well as diagnosis, current treatment and senior living options.

Wits Workout (R)

Tuesdays, Mar. 28, Apr. 25 & May 30 at 10 a.m. in the Café
Engage in interactive puzzles and games and learn what you can do in your daily life to keep your brain healthy! The program, developed by the University of Illinois Extension, is funded in part by the AgeOptions Library CARES ARPA grant. Light refreshments will be provided.

TechWise (formerly known as Tech for the Golden Years)

Wednesday sessions: April 5, 12, 19 & 26, May 3 & 10
Thursday sessions: April 6, 13, 20 & 27, May 4 & 11
10:30 a.m.-noon in the Computer Training Lab

Join OLPL and Pathlights for TechWise! This six-class technology instruction series for adults ages 60 and over will give you basic tools to help improve your computer skills. We will have a Wednesday group and a Thursday group. Up to 10 participants will be accepted per group. To enhance the experience, we ask that participants be able to attend all six sessions. A waitlist will also be available. Supplies for this program are partially funded via the AgeOptions Library CARES ARPA grant.

To register or ask questions, please call Meghan Moran, Assistant Department Head of Customer Services, at 708-422-4990 ext. 630.

Military Healthcare and Medicare 101 (R)

Wednesday, May 17 at 11 a.m. in the Café
Please join us to learn how military healthcare benefits for veterans can be combined with Medicare benefits to provide better overall healthcare at a lower cost. Rich George from Advocate Health Advisors will speak about VA Care, CHAMPVA and Tricare for Life, as well as Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplements.

Super Seniors Mobile Event with the Illinois Secretary of State

Saturday, May 20 / Mobile Unit available 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Rules of the Road review course begins at 10 a.m. in the Lower Level Meeting Rooms

Super Seniors is a convenient and voluntary program for driver’s license renewal which includes Rules of the Road classroom instruction on safe driving techniques and Illinois driving laws, plus a vision-screening exam. A Secretary of State Mobile Driver Services Unit will be available for participants to renew their driver’s licenses. An identification card can be obtained for $20. All payments must be made by check, credit card, debit card or money order. No cash accepted. Adults ages 65 and older may obtain a free, non-expiring State of Illinois photo ID card. Drivers age 75 and older must take a driving test at a Driver Services facility to renew their driver’s licenses.

Services provided at the Secretary of State’s Mobile Event include:
• Renewal/correction of driver’s license
• New/renewal/correction of state ID
• License plate renewal stickers
• Motor Voter registration with renewal of ID or driver’s license
• Organ donor registration with renewal of ID or driver’s license

Proper identification must be provided. Due to enhanced security requirements, REAL ID compliant drivers’ licenses and ID cards must be processed at a Driver’s Services Facility and are not available at mobile events. Adults under age 65 are also eligible for the services provided at this Secretary of State mobile event.

AARP Smart Driver Course (R)

Wednesday, May 10 & Thursday, May 11 from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the Café
Join us for the nation’s first and largest refresher course designed specifically for older drivers. The course will provide a review of driving skills and techniques, as well as strategies and tips to help you adjust to normal age-related changes that may affect driving ability. Participants will receive AARP’s newly revised 2022 edition of the “Smart Driver Guidebook.” Attendance at both days is required to receive a certificate of completion. The fee for the course is $20 for AARP members and $25 for non-members. Fees must be paid to the instructor as cash or check payable to AARP at the start of the course. Please bring your driver’s license and AARP card with you (if applicable). Limited to 20 registrants.

Around the Library

From Customer Services

As information professionals, we help people find accurate, relevant and timely information for their specific needs—including health. While we are not health experts, we maintain awareness of issues affecting health locally and work with community partners on discussions, activities and programs that address these challenges. We collaborate with Oak Lawn Chamber members, local business and health advocates to share conversation, strategies, policy and resources to build an informed community.

Mental Health Awareness Month

Please join us for a series of programs in May honoring Mental Health Awareness Month. Facilitated by Dr. Lizette Solis-Cortes of Riveredge Hospital.

Race and Trauma: Supporting Families

Thursday, May 11 at 7 p.m. in the Café
We will define types of racial trauma and their impact on families and then discuss resilience, coping strategies and resources.

Grief, Loss, Seniors Aging and Depression

Thursday, May 18 at 7 p.m. in the Café
Older adults’ mental health needs are often missed or misdiagnosed. Join us to learn tools to identify and respond to the feelings and behaviors of depression.

Suicide Education & Prevention – A Community Approach

Thursday, May 25 at 7 p.m. in the Café
Teens, adults and seniors are encouraged to attend this evidence-based workshop to increase awareness of suicide risk, learn protective factors that can benefit at-risk members of our community, and break the mental health stigma.

New Collection

AgeOptions awarded the library a grant to purchase materials and host programs related to technology training and reducing social isolation for adults ages 60 and over. We purchased two new types of materials for this purpose:

• Memory Kits
• There are five kits, each with different materials to support those experiencing dementia and their caregivers. Each kit includes games, DVDs, CDs, books and resources.
• The five themes are The Great Outdoors, In the Garden, Activity Night, Food for Thought and The Golden Oldies.
• Chromebook Kits
• Five kits include a Chromebook and mouse.
• Five include a Chromebook, mouse and Wi-Fi hotspot

All kits are available for checkout and to be placed on hold by Oak Lawn Library cardholders ages 60 and over. The items may be checked out for three weeks and are not renewable. Please come check one out today!

VIDEOS OF PAST PROGRAMS

If you missed a 2021 program, you can still view the Zoom presentation on OLPL’s YouTube channel:

• Brain Health / 4/27/21
• The Emerging Importance of Aging in Place /  6/7/21
• Heartburn-Gerd: Treatment Updates for This Common Condition / 6/15/21
• Advance Planning Is Crucial for Successful Aging / 6/17/21
• Your Health Plan to Age in Place / 6/21/21
• Stroke Education, Prevention, and Wellness / 6/28/21
• Legal and Financial Planning for Aging in Place / 7/6/21
• Understanding Behaviors in Dementia / 7/7/21
• Preventing Colon Cancer: Everything You Need to Know / 7/8/21
• Transitioning to Senior Living / 7/20/21
• Melanoma Skin Cancer Awareness / 8/17/21
• Legal and Financial issues for Caregivers / 9/16/21
• Pathlights Medicare Series Part 2: Medicare D enrollment / 10/13/21
• Cutting Through the Medicare Maze / 10/14/21
• Pathlights Medicare Series Part 3: How Medicare and Medicaid work together / 10/20/21