The Hartwell Place blog

On an otherwise quiet Tuesday in Andersonville, laughter was pouring out of Hartwell Place. Hartwell was hosting author, educator, and former actress Karen Stobbe who was leading a group of caregivers and elder care professionals through a mirroring exercise.

Music has a unique ability to meet us where we are. A familiar melody can transport us to a memory, lift our mood, or help us feel more connected—sometimes instantly. But beyond enjoyment, research continues to show that music can play a meaningful role in supporting cognitive health as we age.

Even as spring approaches, March weather in the Chicagoland area and the nearby suburbs can stay cold, icy, and unpredictable. Older adults are more sensitive to temperature changes, making cold-weather safety especially important.

National Caregivers Day is a time to honor the millions of people who support aging loved ones every day. As the population ages, the need for caregiving continues to grow. Over 60% of caregivers are family members, many of whom are women balancing full-time employment with caregiving responsibilities.

Visiting someone who is living with dementia can be one of the most meaningful things you do—but it can also feel confusing or challenging at times. These seven tips will help you make each visit more comfortable, connected, and enjoyable for both of you.

Each year, Hartwell Place surveys residents and family members to understand their satisfaction with our community. This year, Hartwell Place has been recognized for our admirable resident and family member satisfaction scores, placing us at the top of the benchmark of Life Plan Communities across the nation.

CMSS offers an array of programs and services to older adults and their families. We are proud to say that some people connect with us through two or more of the programs we offer. In this “Multi-Program Participation” series, we highlight individuals whom we have supported across multiple CMSS services.

Extreme temperatures pose a significant danger, and older adults are particularly vulnerable. Here are some things to know now and in future heat waves.

Chicago Methodist Senior Services (CMSS) is thrilled to announce that the Uptown, Andersonville, Rogers Park, and Edgewater (UARE) have been nationally recognized as Dementia-Friendly Communities.

In May, all three of CMSS’ residential communities received designation as LGBTQ+ Long-Term Care Equality High Performers. This recognition is given by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation and SAGE’s Long-Term Care Equality Index (LEI).

Since the summer of 2024, Dhara M., MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, PCCN has been working with the Hartwell Place community to introduce a new activity–Tai Chi.