The latest news for you

November 2023

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News and information about AALC Wii Bowling/Spelling Bee Championships, tips for aging slowly, keeping seniors safe in winter weather, and more.

Wii Are the Champions, Again

The Bowling Brooks from Heritage Woods of Bolingbrook once again took home the 1st Place Trophy from the Affordable Assisted Living Coalition’s Wii Bowling competition.

With Diana Kasza paving the way, the team of residents from Bolingbrook topped the team of residents from GateWay at River City in Peoria.

The two teams traveled to the Lincoln Memorial Library in Springfield to compete in the best of five finals of the 2023 Wii Bowling competition.

The first two games were close, with the Bowling Brooks winning Game One by 21 pins (930 to 909) and Game Two by 20 pins (850 to 830). In Game Three, Kasza bowled a perfect game and the Bowling Brooks won by 89 pins (960 to 871).

The other residents on the Bowling Brooks were Vivian Benner, Anne Creel, and Peter Kowalewski.

The residents who bowled for the DJB team from GateWay were Dewitt Tyree, Jeff Andrews; Jeffrey Peters; and Bryan Hill. Resident Frank Coates was an alternative.

The Bowling Brooks took home the 1^st Place Trophy in 2019, the last time AALC held the statewide Wii Bowling competition for supportive living communities in Illinois before the competition was paused because of COVID.

They Bee the Best

The Buzz Bees from Heritage Woods of South Elgin narrowly edged out the team of residents from Cambridge House of O’Fallon to win the 2023 Affordable Assisted Living Coalition’s Spelling Bee Championship.

The teams competed at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield.

The ability to spell words such as “Trousseau” and “Vicissitude” propelled the Buzz Bees to their one point victory. The team from South Elgin was comprised of residents Carol Jacobsen, Michael Tracy and Antoinette O’Brien.

Residents Dorothy Soucy, Linda Ellett and Pat Merritt competed for O’Fallon.

Slowing Aging

Scientists in the U.S. have named eight measures that can slow the process of how your body ages by as much as six years.

They include keeping your weight, blood sugar, and cholesterol in check; being more active; and not smoking.

Learning Something New at 92

At the age of 92, Manny Shellist took up wood carving. At 96, he created a wood carving of the Gettysburg Address that has been on display at the Abraham Lincoln Museum in Springfield, Illinois.

Shuell Elected to Health Care Association Board

Alexandra Shuell, Gardant’s Vice President of Operations, was elected to the Illinois Health Care Association’s Board of Directors.

Honoring Our Veterans

Thank you to U.S. Rep. Erin Houchin for joining the Monroe County Veterans Honor Guard in honoring the Veterans at Evergreen Village at Bloomington, a Gardant-managed affordable assisted living community. Gardant salutes all of the residents and staff who served in our military. Thank you for your service.

Health Benefits of Surfing the Web

A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society revealed that using the internet for up to two hours a day can reduce the risk of dementia.

November is Alzheimer's Awareness Month

The month of November is recognized as Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. It is a time for increased awareness and support for over 6.2 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s. It is important to recognize memory loss is not a normal part of aging.

Best Assisted Living

Heritage Woods of Freeport, a Gardant-managed affordable assisted living community, recently was named the Best Assisted Living/Senior Living community in the region in the 2023 Community’s Choice Awards program.

Winter Weather and Older Adults

Older adults are especially vulnerable to developing hypothermia when temperatures are cold. Read what you can do here

Financial Security in Retirement

For those approaching retirement, the key to financial security is planning for the long-term, says a report posted on the Kiplinger website.

Finding the Best Medicare Plan for Next Year

The Medicare Open Enrollment Period runs through Dec. 7. If you are on Medicare and have not done so already, you should use this opportunity to compare the health and drug plans that will be available in 2024 and select the plan(s) that best meets your needs.

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Gardant Management Solutions operates senior living, assisted living and memory care communities in Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Ohio and West Virginia. Our focus is on providing residents with the Love, Compassion and Dignity they deserve.

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