"Let us not look back in anger, nor forward in fear, but around in awareness." -- James Thurber

October 23, 2024

Dear Friends:

The festive time of year is fast approaching - a time when we are focused more than usual on friends, family, and celebrations. October is the gateway month to all the good times to follow. It is also the month that many health-related organizations have chosen to raise awareness for their cause.

These awareness campaigns remind us to be vigilant about our own health and to be thoughtful and helpful to those around us. Nothing strengthens a community or a society more than these networks of understanding, support, and inclusion. 

NBC News anchor Lester Holt has made this important aspect of social cohesion both accessible and achievable with the simple reminder, "Please take care of yourself and each other."

We are a community of people who have chosen to experience later life together. Learning and remembering to listen to one another is another way to strengthen our connections and put the power of community work for our mutual wellbeing.

So enjoy the turning leaves and look forward with gratitude and eagerness to the end of year festivities and the season of giving.

Warm regards,

Niki Fox, Executive Director

This event is sponsored by The World Federation for Mental Health - one of many organizations that focuses on promoting mental health and preventing mental disorders.

What you can do for yourself

1. Educate yourself about the warning signs of mental health issues. (Just Google "mental health warning signs." There are many sources and they are remarkably consistent.)

2. Recognize that you are not alone: One in five adults experience a mental illness. Next time you are in line at the grocery store, chances are one of those people has a mental health issue.

What you can do for others

1.Talk openly. It's normal to talk about mental health, just as it is to talk about physical health. You can talk about seeing a therapist for depression or anxiety, and you can encourage others to do the same.

2. Challenge misconceptions. Share facts and experiences to respond to bad information or negative comments.



3. Normalize treatment. Mental health treatment is just as important as other health care treatment. 

An invisible disability is a physical, mental, or neurological condition that is not visible from the outside, yet can limit or challenge a person’s movements, senses, or activities. It includes such symptoms as debilitating pain, fatigue, dizziness, cognitive dysfunctions, brain injuries, learning differences, and mental health disorders, as well as hearing and vision impairments. Unfortunately, the very fact that these symptoms are invisible can lead to misunderstandings, false perceptions, and judgments.

What you can do for yourself

1. Check out the book But You LOOK Good. It gives those living with chronic illness and pain a voice about how they feel, what they need, and how others can be an encouragement to them.

2. Join the Invisible Disabilities Association online community.

3. Help start a Village group for people with invisible disabilities. Email brooke@thevillagechicago.org.



What you can do for others

1. Be curious, but compassionate. It's okay to say 'I don't know much about this condition. Can you tell me more?" but recognize they are not always going to open up.

2. Look for an opening. Follow up on a reference which may occur in everyday conversation.

3. Recognize when help is needed- and when it isn't. Ask before offering assistance.

4. Believe them.

The science of Physical Therapy came into its own in the early 20th century when WW I and the 1916 Polio outbreak led to a national and international need for rehabilitation to treat soldiers and children. The field provided career opportunities for women which has continued to this day with women making up some 70% of practitioners. It is this writer's conjecture that most people reading this have benefited from physical therapy at some point in their lives.

What you can do for yourself

1. Explore Physical Therapy not only for pain management and injury prevention, but for chronic disease management (arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, etc.) through exercise and lifestyle changes.

2. Recognize and celebrate small milestones. While recovery is the end goal, it helps to appreciate each step along the way.

What you can do for others

1. Offer practical assistance by helping with transportation to appointments, managing daily tasks, or setting up a supportive home environment for their exercises.



2. Collaborate with the therapist. If appropriate, communicate with the physical therapist to gain insights into the treatment plan and how you can best support your friend or loved one.

This campaign was launched in 1985 by the American Cancer Society. Now, there are many organizations engaged in breast cancer awareness and support. After nearly 40 years of promoting awareness of breast cancer and early detection, there has been a shift in emphasis from "awareness" to "support." Some people receive an early stage breast cancer diagnosis, get treatment, and then still go on to have a metastatic relapse.

What you can do for yourself

1. Continuously engage in the most effective possible self care.

2. Resist isolation - ask for and accept help.

What you can do for others

1. Don't put the burden of asking for help on the person who needs it. Tell them how you plan to do it.

2. Remember that your friend or loved one  may not always want to be positive or "fight back" or be brave. 

3. For your giving, seek out organizations that focus on support such as financial assistance for treatment costs and travel to appointments; access to support groups (both in person and online); access to wigs and prosthetics; and specialized programs for different stages of breast cancer. 

This day was designated just last year by the American Society on Aging (ASA). Ageism is defined as stereotypes (how we think), prejudice (how we feel), and discrimination (how we act) toward others or ourselves based on age. ASA states, "It negatively impacts our health and well-being, our financial security, and the economy. It exists in many forms, influencing everything from personal interactions to public policy, and impacts us at every age. The good news is that we can do something about it, and we (can) begin by spreading the word on Ageism Awareness Day."

These suggestions of what we can do for ourselves and others are taken from the writings of Ashton Applewhite,* arguably the leading ageism activist in the U.S.

What we can do for ourselves

1. "The first, hardest, and most necessary step in confronting ageism is to examine our own attitudes. Ageism makes growing older far harder than it has to be. It damages our sense of self, segregates us, diminishes our prospects, and shortens our lives."

What we can do for others

1. "Recognizing our own prejudices helps us to see that 'personal problems'— not being able to get a job or being belittled or feeling patronized, for example—are actually widely shared social problems that require collective action."

2. "Making the effort to connect with people of all ages helps us build an equitable society for all ages – one that genuinely benefits from intergenerational collaboration."



3. "Watch for ageist behaviors and attitudes, challenge them, and create language and models that support every stage of life..."

 * Ashton Applewhite will be speaking virtually at the University of Chicago Graham School on Friday, November 8, 11-11:45 AM. Click here for information and to register. 

Here is a list of what “days” are being celebrated, observed, or exploited just the rest of this week! 

October 23

National Boston Cream Pie Day

National Croc Day

National iPod Day 

National Medical Assistants Day  

National Paralegal Day

National TV Talk Show Host Day

October 24

National Bologna Day

National Food Day

National Kangaroo Awareness Day

United Nations Day

World Polio Day

October 25

Global Champagne Day

International Artist Day

National Bandana Day

National Breadstick Day

National Fine Art Appreciation Day

National Frankenstein Friday

National Greasy Foods Day

National I Care About You Day

World Lemur Day

World Opera Day

World Pasta Day

Board Transition in Motion: Celebrating Retirements as New Leaders Step In

At the Village board’s Annual Meeting on October 21, the board recognized the contributions of four retiring board members with special thanks to Angie Levenstein, Gail Moss, Carol Stein, and Jan Walters who are stepping down after many years serving the Village through their board and volunteer engagement.

New Officers

Officers and Executive Committee are David Baker, Board Chair; Judith Gethner, Vice Chair; Thomas Eley, Treasurer; Lizbeth Metzger, Secretary; Joan Goldstein, Kathleen Kolodgy, and Karen Terry. 

Staff Update

Effective October 1 the Village welcomed our new Brain Health and Memory Loss Program Manager, Sarah Collins. Sarah is a graduate of Purdue Northwest, where she majored in Biological Sciences with a focus on health and forensic science. While working in long-term care facilities, she gained extensive experience with older adults and individuals with cognitive impairments. Sarah is dementia care certified and has been an active volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Association since 2020. Her passion for health and wellbeing drives her commitment as a Community Educator promoting healthy lifestyles for those who are aging. During Sarah’s free time, she likes to hike, garden, and bake. 

Village Volunteers at Urban Farms!

It was a beautiful day, as our members came together for a rewarding volunteer experience at Urban Farms. The event focused on fall cleanup, where our dedicated volunteers helped enhance the farm's environment while learning about its impressive products, programs, and community outreach efforts.

Despite the heat, spirits were high as members connected, shared laughter, and made a positive impact. After the hard work, everyone enjoyed a lovely lunch together, strengthening the bonds formed during the day.

A heartfelt thank you to all our volunteers for your time, effort, and commitment to making a difference in our community. Your participation truly embodies the spirit of the Village!

Board of Directors

David Baker, Board Chair

Judith Gethner,

 Vice Chair

Tom Eley,

Treasurer

Liz Metzger, Secretary

Joan Goldstein

Kathie Kolodgy

Karen Terry

Don Bell

Jacie Brandes

Stefanie Clark

Carol Hitchie

Molly Matthias

Tom Pasker

Lois Stuckey

Vamse Kumar Subbiah

Carlos Terrazas

Mel Washburn

Advisory Council

Neelum T. Aggarwal, MD

Robyn L. Golden, LCSW

Joanne G. Schwartzberg, MD

Executive Director

Niki Fox

The Village Chicago is a community network of friendship, engagement and services for people over 50. We support all aspects of well-being through social engagement, an extensive services and referral network, lifelong learning, health and fitness, intergenerational relationships, work, and purpose.

2502 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60614. 773.248.8700

www.thevillagechicago.org