Palatine Senior Center reopening on limited basis
The Palatine Township Senior Center has reopened on a limited basis by appointment/invitation only, and hopes to gradually continue offering more activities and programs as the COVID-19 pandemic loosens its grip on the Northwest suburbs.
The center, 505 S. Quentin Road in Palatine, is operated by the nonprofit Palatine Township Senior Citizens Council and offers programs and services for adults ages 50 and older and their families. It was open sporadically in 2020 as permitted under COVID-19 regulations, said Kate Johnson, development associate for the center.
The center offers yearly memberships - $45 for an individual and $65 for couples - but serves everyone, including nonmembers and people who live outside Palatine Township, Johnson said.
The perks of membership include priority registration and discounts on trips, access to password-protected Wi-Fi, and exclusive use of the center's fitness center and billiards room.
This month, only members are being invited to take part in social and recreational activities such as bingo, chair yoga and Mahjong, she said.
The adult day program for people with mild to moderate dementia will restart March 1 and will be open by registration to a limited number of people, including nonmembers, she said. It will be offered two days a week from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays.
"There is music therapy, chair exercises, arts and crafts, word games, pet therapy - they do all sorts of things in there to keep their mind and body going and staying active."
Face masks and social distancing are required for all activities.
The council also has planned two trips (both with lots of walking):
• A visit to the Holocaust Museum and lunch at Maggiano's, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 9. Cost is $76 for members; $84 nonmembers. Register by March 26.
• A visit to the Chicago Botanic Garden, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. May 10. Cost is $37 members; $45 nonmembers. Register by April 30. Lunch is not included, but snack bags are provided.
Throughout the pandemic, the senior center continued to offer social services - via phone or in person - in English, Spanish and Russian, Johnson said. Staff members answer questions and help people with applications for programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, benefit access, low income home energy assistance, senior health insurance, prescription drug insurance counseling and more.
The senior center serves about 3,000 in a normal year, and served about 2,500 in 2020, she said.
For details or to register, call (847) 991-1112.