Chicagoland Senior Communities

Senior Community News

Senior Living:

A Matter of Choice at Elmhurst Pointe

When Karen Kuntz, a retired librarian, broke her little toe a few winters back, she figured it was no big deal. However, something seemingly small at the time started her on a three-year journey through senior housing, which ended in May at “home” in Elmhurst Pointe, a new 32-unit residential community for independent active seniors, located in Elmhurst.

“I knew change was coming, because it affected the way I walked,” Kuntz shared. “I couldn’t get outside my front door and was hopping around my apartment. I had to have several people go grocery shopping for me. It was really bad.”

“That experience really hit home,” she continued. “I never want to go through that again. I don’t want to have to depend on people, and so I thought, make the move. Do it while you can choose, instead of someone else choosing for you.”

Kuntz put a lot of time, thought, research and prayer into her decision. She wanted a place where she would be comfortable but still maintain her independence, someplace safe and secure with a caring staff that offered a wide range of amenities. While she looked into many options, she knew she was a “city person” and wanted to be in an exciting downtown location, close to friends.

About a year ago, Kuntz saw an ad for LaGrange Pointe, Elmhurst Pointe’s 30-unit sister community, located in

downtown La Grange. She attended an open house and learned about both properties. She was already familiar with downtown Elmhurst and has friends in the area. The intimate campus and downtown setting drew her in. However, it was the caring staff that made her want to call Elmhurst Pointe home.

“When I saw this place, I knew immediately it was for me,” she said. “It’s downtown, and everything is so close. The people have been so nice and gone out of their way to make me feel at home. I was in very good hands.”

With only 32 residences located not far from Chicago in Elmhurst’s vibrant downtown, Elmhurst Pointe is a revolutionary alternative to the typical retirement community. The small campus, made up of one- and two-bedroom units, enables staff to provide a highly personalized level of supportive and family-like customer service. It is a walkable community, built around the corner from a pharmacy, restaurants, shops, museum and public transportation. Plus, it has easy access to O’Hare Airport.

“We’ve designed Elmhurst Pointe to encourage residents to maintain healthy and active lifestyles,” said Linda Kunicki, marketing director at Elmhurst Pointe. “For residents, the in-town setting is beneficial, because it provides natural intergenerational interaction and keeps seniors active, engaged and part of the greater community.”

As some people transition into retirement, they may want to stay in the single family home or condo they have lived in for years. However, that is not always the safest or most financially sound option. It can also be burdensome, with repairs, maintenance and household chores which become harder as people age.

In addition, some seniors who choose to stay in their home tend to seclude themselves, according to Kunicki. They lose their sense of community and lack physical, emotional and mental stimulus, all key components to keeping the mind and body strong.

Choosing to live in an independent senior community like Elmhurst Pointe lets
residents have all the freedoms of home, without a lot of the dangers, repairs and hassles. It provides mental, emotional and physical stimulus. The small community aspect is beneficial, because it is similar to the old-fashioned, close-knit neighborhoods in which many seniors grew up.

“Elmhurst Pointe offers the perfect blend,” Kunicki said. “The sights and sounds of downtown are always changing. You can window shop, exchange money and interact with different people, all cognitive and physical activities. While residents are exposed to a bustling downtown, they know their neighbors and the staff.”

Elmhurst Pointe offers residents freedom of choice with amenities and activities including weekly housekeeping, transportation and a robust activity schedule on and off campus. Elmhurst Pointe also has partnerships with meal, health and medical providers.

There is no central dining room, so residents have the freedom to choose when and what they eat. They can cook at home, plus residents receive discounts at a number of restaurants in town. Sister community LaGrange Pointe recently launched an organic restaurant on its ground floor, which is open to the public. Residents receive special menus and discounts and have their own private entrance. Elmhurst Pointe is slated to have something similar.

“We’ve taken input from seniors and their families and developed a unique approach that supports a person’s mind, body and spirit,” Kunicki said. “Freedom of choice is what we’re all about.”

Elmhurst Pointe offers flexible payment options, and makes it easy to move in with the “Move Now, Sell Later” program, which was instituted to help seniors who want to sell their home transition into the community. Kuntz is working with a senior real estate specialist under the “Move Now, Sell Later” program. Kunicki helped arrange all Kuntz’s moving and packing needs.

“It has been wonderful,” Kuntz said. “I don’t know why I waited so long.”

Elmhurst Pointe is located at 111 West Third Street, in Elmhurst, Ill. For more information visit www.ElmhurstPointe.com, call 630-424-9222, or visit them on Facebook.

LaGrange Pointe and Elmhurst Pointe offer age restricted housing in new buildings designed to appeal to the needs of its residents and while each of LaGrange Pointe and Elmhurst Pointe are owned by separate limited liability companies, they have some commonality of ownership and share similar operating concepts and styles.

Photo caption: Linda Kunicki (left) and Karen Kuntz chat in one of the common rooms at Elmhurst Pointe.

Heritage Woods Heroes:

Leland Bender

By Keith Cork

“Shake my hand,” says the man in tinted glasses sitting across from me. He’s an imposing man, but seems friendly enough. I shake his hand.

It feels like he could break it if he wanted.

Leland “Lee” Bender has done some extraordinary things in his life. Born in 1926 in the little town of Mina, Nevada, Lee was the son to a father who was a machinist for the railroad and a mother who was a homemaker. They purchased a chicken farm that prospered until the Great Depression hit.

“I was what they call a ‘welfare kid’,” Lee says with a hint of a smile. Growing their own food became a way of life for the family. In 1945, Lee decided to start his own farm with his wife that prospered. They had 80 head of

milking cows. However, Mr. Bender had bigger things in mind.

In 1965, Lee moved to Chicago and eventually he decided to open his own recreational vehicle dealership. Leisure & Recreational Products proved Lee a successful entrepreneur. He became a multi-millionaire in the 70’s, employed 354 Americans, and did a lot of work for GM.

Lee has been successful, but he’s had rough patches just like any other human being. In 2004, Lee was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Recent studies can attribute the development of this disease to the chemicals used in the crop dusting airplanes on the farm. Yet, being the strong man he is, he has bounced back through tireless exercise and using a “motion massage” chair that incorporates music therapy. Lee even became somewhat of a legend at the local gym because so many were impressed that “an old man” could do what he did, let alone one with Parkinson’s disease.

Lee stays positive because giving up is not an option for him. “Once, we launched a whole marketing campaign with the entire sales team of GM,” he explains, “didn’t sell a single vehicle.” He laughs about this as if it was no big deal.

Leland Bender is an inspiration and his positive outlook on life is fresh and reassuring. Now, at 83 Lee is just as active as ever. He continues the therapy for his Parkinson’s at his home at the Heritage Woods of South Elgin. As an extension from his farming years, he grows wheat grass in his apartment which he swears by as the “key to good nutrition.” He is the president of the Resident Council. How does Mr. Bender stay positive and successful?

“Good health and knowledge,” he answers. “Those are the keys to life, my friend.”

Pathway Executive Director

Honored for Excellent Service

Dave Dickinson, executive director of Victory Centre of Batlett, was chosen by the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) as its 2010 Hero. The award, sponsored by the largest national association exclusively dedicated to professionally operated assisted living communities for seniors, recognizes individuals who demonstrate extraordinary courage and leadership and who rise above their daily duties to improve the lives of assisted living residents.

Dickinson earned the honor not for one single heroic act of courage but for acting courageously every day, starting at 5 a.m. when he hand-delivers newspapers to residents’ doorsteps. Dickinson’s early-bird routine goes above and beyond the call of duty in the name of pleasing residents.

Through his actions Dave inspires the evening staff members who he meets along his route to do the same.

“As an executive director of a Pathway Senior Living community, Dave has indeed demonstrated these and many other qualities to ensure our residents have positive, memorable customer experiences each and every day,” said Maria Oliva, chief people officer for Pathway Senior Living.

The leader of a senior living community that serves over 200 residents with 104 independent and 104 affordable assisted living apartments, Dickinson’s guiding direction to his empowered staff never waivers. It is written on their employment application, the number one responsibility on their job description and the subject of every 7 a.m. meeting. It has nothing to do with the obvious operational aspects of their jobs. For Dave and his staff, their real job is to repeatedly answer the question, “How can I make a positive, memorable customer experience today?”

Dickinson walks the talk about creating positive memorable experiences for residents at his community, inspiring others with his kindness and fortitude. When a housekeeper’s father lay dying in Mexico, Dickinson took up a collection for travel expenses, packed meals and sent her on a road trip. When a team member was going to elope, Dickinson rallied her co-workers to organize an on-site wedding complete with decorations, tiered cake and a hundred doting “grandparents.” When a resident with limited discretionary income expressed an interest in swimming, Dickinson’s team found free transportation and arranged reduced rates at a local swimming pool. When a resident’s beloved bird died, staff immediately asked “WWDD” (What would Dave do?) and arranged for a burial outside the resident’s window by her favorite tree.

Dickinson’s peers recognized him last month as their 2010 Hero, but to those who live and work at Victory Centre of Bartlett, Dickinson has been an every day hero for as long as they’ve known him.

Victory Centre of Bartlett, located at 1101 W. Bartlett Road, Bartlett, is owned and operated by Pathway Senior Living. In partnership with various not-for-profit partners, Pathway creates and operates vibrant, healthy, residential communities and supportive programs for seniors. For more information please call 847-768-5100 or visit www.PathwaySL.com.

Photo caption: Dave Dickinson (center), Executive Director of Victory Centre of Bartlett, is the Assisted Living Federation of America’s 2010 Hero.

Willow Falls Hosts

Community Open House

Willow Falls Senior Living Community will host an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 31 on its 33-acre campus at 1681 Willow Circle Dr. in Crest Hill. The event will feature entertainment, music, refreshments and raffles.

Highlights will include do-it-yourself sundaes and popcorn; Jackhammer’s Jammer giving out free autographed baseball cards from 1 to 2 p.m.; the Lemont Classic Car Club car show; and music performed by Edizon.

Directions from I-55: Exit Weber South, drive 6-1/2 miles to Knapp Drive, turn left to Willow Circle Drive.

From I-80: Exit Larkin North, drive 2-1/2 miles to Knapp Drive, turn right to Willow Circle Drive.

Willow Falls offers independent and assisted living, 5,000 sq. ft. recreational center, a health and wellness medical center, on-site physical therapy, walking paths, ponds and fountains.

For more information, visit the website at www.willowfalls.com or call 815-725-5868.