Just for seniors
Programs for seniors: Beacon Hill will offer these free programs for seniors at its center, 2400 S. Finley Road, Lombard. The programs include the benefits of Blue Cross Blue Shield at 7 p.m. today; George MacNabney and The Portrait of Sound at 3 p.m. Sunday; and Ceci Wiselogel and the career of Grandma Moses at 7 p.m. Oct. 17. Reservations are requested by calling Mary Jo Carlson at (630) 691-7666.
Flu shots: The Glen Ellyn Senior Center will hold a flu shot clinic from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 29 at Grace Lutheran Church, 493 Forest Ave., Glen Ellyn. Vaccines are $30 for those not covered by Medicare Part B. Appointments are required. For details, call (630) 858-6343.
Help for home repairs: The DuPage Senior Citizens Council offers a Minor Home Repair Program that provides qualified professionals to handle seniors' minor home repair needs.
Services include minor plumbing, electrical, carpentry, general maintenance and installation of safety equipment. The cost for home repairs is $40 per service hour in subsidized communities and $60 per service hour in unsubsidized communities. There is no charge for estimates.
Other maintenance programs include: Senior Home Inspection Program to ensure personal, home safety and weather needs; Contractor Referral Program, a list of prescreened contractors who will not take advantage of seniors; and Chore Days in the spring and fall, which assists seniors with seasonal outdoor yard work.
For details, call (630) 620-9794.
Guardian calls: Guardian system is a free service provided by the DuPage County sheriff's office to ensure the well being of seniors ages 62 and older or those physically or mentally disabled and living alone.
After signing up, members may designate days and times they want to be called. When a person is called, they enter a four-digit code on the phone to let the system know they are all right. If the code is not entered, a police dispatcher will call. If that call is not answered, a designated neighbor or family member will be called.
If emergency contact cannot be made, a deputy will be sent to the home.
Applications may be picked up at the sheriff's office, 501 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, or call (630) 407-2400 for an application to be mailed.
District 87 Gold Cards: Senior citizens who live in Glenbard High School District 87 have an assortment of free athletic, musical and dramatic entertainment options in the district.
Glenbard offers a Gold Card to retirees ages 60 and older who reside in the district. The card allows members free admission to most events at the four high schools.
For details, visit www.glenbard.net or call (630) 469-9100, ext. 5124.
Lilac Town Seniors: The Lombard Park District Lilac Town Seniors meet at 1 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month at the Lombard Community Building, 433 E. St. Charles Road.
Seniors 55 and older may attend. The event includes bingo and other free activities.
Dues are $3 per year, which includes a quarterly newsletter. For details, call (630) 620-7322 or visit www.lombardparks.com.
Birthday bingo: Seniors 55 and older may attend the Villa Park Recreation Birthday Bingo program from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. the fourth Thursday of each month at the Community Recreation Center, 320 E. Wildwood Ave., Villa Park.
The cost is $5 for both residents and others, which includes lunch, bingo, prizes and birthday cake. Admission is free the month of your birthday.
Registration is required. For details, call (630) 834-8970 or visit www.vprd.org.
Pinochle: Villa Park Recreation's Older Adults Group gets together for lunch and pinochle from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mondays and Fridays at the Community Recreation Building, 320 E. Wildwood. Guests are welcome. For details, call Jenny Casale at (630) 834-8970, ext. 16.
Strength and exercise: The Lombard Park District is offering senior exercise and senior strength training for adults 55 and older at the Lombard Community Center, 433 E. St. Charles Road.
Senior exercise meets from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and senior strength meets from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Participants may register for a five, 10 or 20 class punch card. For details, call (630) 620-7322 or visit www.lombardparks.com.
Addison Park District: The following free, ongoing programs for senior citizens are offered by the Addison Park District. All activities are offered at the Community Recreation Center, 120 E. Oak St., unless specified. For details and bingo times, call (630) 833-0100.
• Fit and Fabulous exercise, 9 to 10:15 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
• SALT monthly bingo at McDonald's. Call for times.
• Men's Friday card group, 9 a.m. to noon Fridays.
• Free blood pressure screenings, second and third Tuesday of each month.
• Free chair massages, first Tuesday of each month.
Free activities: The Lombard Park District offers free activities for seniors each week at the Sunset Knoll Recreation Center, 820 S. Finley Road.
Seniors can play table tennis from 10 a.m. to noon Mondays and Wednesdays and from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays.
Registration is not required. For details, call (630) 620-7322 or visit www.lombardparks.com.
Tai Chi: Beginning Taoist Tai Chi classes are offered from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays at Belmont Village, 545 Belmont Lane, Carol Stream, and 6:30 to 8 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at First United Church Methodist Church, 155 S. Main St., Lombard.
The practice may help reduce stress and improve balance and flexibility. The first lesson is free.
For details, visit www.taoist.org or e-mail lombard.il@taoist.org.
Glendale Heights seniors: Glendale Heights Parks and Recreation Department offers senior activities at the Sports Hub, 250 Civic Center Plaza, Glendale Heights. For details about all these programs, visit www.glendaleheights.org/ParksRecreation or call (630) 260-6060.
• Senior club meetings will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays at the Sports Hub for cards and bingo. A senior exercise class for ages 62 and older meets from 10 to 11 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at the Sports Hub. The classes are free for residents, $20 for a punch card with 15 punches.
• A senior walking club meets from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. There is no fee but new participants should register.
• The senior transportation service is available for shopping, doctor appointments, senior clubs and transportation in the area. The fee is $2 per round trip. Participants must call one day in advance. Transportation is available from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays and 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Fridays. For details, call (630) 260-6060.
West Chicago Gold Card: A senior citizen's Gold Card Program for local residents ages 55 and older is offered by Community High School District 94, 326 Joliet St., West Chicago. The Gold Card entitles senior citizens to attend most district-sponsored events offered at Community High School for free. Applications are available at the district office. For details, call Deanne Simpson at (630) 876-6210.
Itasca seniors: The Itasca Senior Citizens Club meets at 10:30 a.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Alta Villa Banquets, 430 N. Addison Road, Addison. A full-course luncheon is served after the meeting. The cost is $5 for members, $9 for nonmembers. For details, call Marilyn Eberspacher at (630) 875-0205.