The Health Benefits of Wearing Compression Socks

PICTURED ABOVE: Residents of Chestnut Square at The Glen, an independent living community, enjoy an assortment of special programs and events such as themed dinners with dancing. As older adults begin to research different senior living communities, the number of options can sometimes feel overwhelming. All sorts of factors must be simultaneously weighed such as location, floor plans, lifestyle, and perhaps most important of all, “Which level of care is best suited for my needs?” To clarify the process, it’s helpful to first understand the key differences: Independent Living Communities Independent living communities—often called retirement communities—are for seniors who can live on their own, without daily assistance, and want to live among people their age. While sometimes there may be overlap between independent living and assisted living communities in terms of amenities, independent living usually means that residents are self-sufficient and don’t need hands-on care. Services often include: Spacious apartments with fully-equipped kitchens Maintenance-free living with extensive services and amenities On-site and off-site programs and events like fitness classes, guest lectures, concerts, art lessons, book clubs and social gatherings An indoor parking garage option, as well as scheduled transportation and group outings Restaurant-style dining, housekeeping, and 24/7 concierge services An in-house emergency call system such as the Lifeline pendant Assisted Living Communities Assisted living is a good option for seniors who need help with daily tasks. These communities typically provide: Smaller floor plans (often in a studio or 1-BR layout) with limited equipped kitchens Help with the activities of daily living (ADLs) like bathing, grooming and medication management Dining and assisted living programming based on residents’ needs and abilities A nursing supervisor on-site 24/7. Additional care is available at additional costs. Some day trips and transportation to local stores and entertainment may also be available Assisted living communities usually have health standards for admitting new residents. For example, those who require 24-hour medical care may need a different type of senior living arrangement, such as a nursing home. CCRCs Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) offer all levels of care, from independent living all the way to nursing and memory care. While this type of community can be appealing by offering everything on one campus, each level of care is typically in its own separate wing or building, and requires multiple moves. Most CCRCs require that you pay upfront for future levels of care—whether you ever need it or not. Emerging Trends in Senior Living With a growing demand among seniors to remain independent in their apartments, some communities like Chestnut Square at The Glen offer an “aging in place” model. This model features all the benefits and amenities of independent living, with the added peace of mind of home health services available on-site if ever needed. Regardless of which type of senior living residence you or your loved one end up choosing, the most important thing is to find a community that makes you feel comfortable with the overall environment, lifestyle and people! To learn more about Chestnut Square at The Glen and to schedule a tour, please call (847) 998-1118 or visit www.chestnutsquare.info

PICTURED ABOVE: Vera poses next to the portrait of Alfred Anderson, the first chief executive of the organization. Bethany Methodist Corporation, a Glenview-based non-profit organization with a 135-year history of providing exceptional senior community living and healthcare, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Vera Lampe as its new CEO effective January 1, 2024. Vera has been a member of the Bethany Methodist management team for 16 years, the last 14 as Executive Director of Chestnut Square at The Glen, the organization’s flagship retirement community in Glenview. “I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Vera since she first joined the company in 2007, and I can’t think of anyone better prepared to lead us into the next chapter of our story than her,” said Sunny Lopez, who is retiring as CEO after four years in the position and 32 years with the company. "Thanks to Vera's leadership, Chestnut Square has become one of the North Shore's most popular destinations for independent senior living." Jennifer Christy, Chair of the Bethany Methodist Board of Directors, shared her thoughts as well. “Vera will be the eighth CEO of Bethany Methodist since its founding in 1889, and she brings competence, compassion, and an unflinching commitment to our mission. We believe her outstanding leadership, experience and dedication will be invaluable in guiding the organization on our path to a thriving future.” As CEO, Vera will have responsibility for business strategy, business development, operations, and the financial performance of Chestnut Square at The Glen as well as Partners in Healthcare, the organization’s private duty caregiver agency that serves clients throughout the Chicago area. “The heartbeat of our mission has always been the shared sense of community between staff, residents, clients and families,” said Lampe. “This organization has held a special place in my heart for a long time, and I’m honored to be serving in this new role and for the opportunities ahead.”

Our story began 134 years ago with the vision of one faith-filled couple, Rev. and Mrs. C.M. Lindgren. With the help of their son and donations from the Swedish Methodist Church, the first Bethany Home opened as a residence for Chicago seniors in 1889. Inspired by the Wesleyan tradition and faithful to the Lindgren’s vision, Bethany continued to provide health and housing services for seniors across Chicago and the northern suburbs. In 2001, Bethany Methodist decided to expand its mission to Glenview by building Chestnut Square, an independent senior living community. Selected as part of The Glen’s master development project, our community’s groundbreaking ceremony was held in the summer of 2002. Just over a year later, in September 2003, Chestnut Square’s very first resident moved in! Our services were further enhanced in 2008 as Bethany acquired Partners in Healthcare, an on-site private duty caregiver agency that offers supportive services to the residents of Chestnut Square and clients throughout Chicago and the northern suburbs. Today, Chestnut is proud to be celebrating 20 wonderful years in Glenview. Since our grand opening in 2003, our community has become one of the North Shore’s most popular choices for independent senior living, and we look forward to providing exceptional senior living and healthcare services in the years ahead. We are also excited to be initiating a Campus Refresh Project this year that will see enhancements to our community and services, while ensuring our mission continues to meet the needs of future generations. To learn more about Chestnut Square at The Glen’s 20th anniversary and upcoming events, please call (847) 998-1118 or visit www.chestnutsquare.info

Of all the smiling faces you’ll see at Chestnut Square, Ann Burnstine is certainly one of our favorites! Whether she’s volunteering in our card shop, attending a fitness class, or enjoying a guest lecture in the Great Room, Ann is the type of person who immediately brightens your day when you see her. “I’ve always enjoyed the company of other people, so finding an active community like Chestnut Square has been a real perk for me,” she explains. “When my husband passed away a few years ago, I knew that it was time to sell our house. I visited five different facilities, but this was the only place that felt like home.” Since moving to Chestnut in 2017, Ann has found that her social circle expanded quicky. “The dining room is probably where I’ve met the most people. There’s no assigned seating and I’m the type of person that likes to rotate tables each day so I can stay connected with everybody. I’ve made so many new friends here…it’s been wonderful.” Ann also enjoys working every Monday afternoon at the North Shore Senior Center in Northfield, where she greets visitors and helps run the gift shop. “I think I’m happiest when I’m busy, so I have no plans of slowing down.” Chestnut Square, an independent senior living community located in the heart of The Glen, features spacious 1 and 2-BR floor plans (each equipped with full kitchen and washer/dryer), all-inclusive services and amenities, and a 100% refundable entrance fee. Homecare services are also available on-site if ever needed. To learn more, call (847) 998-1118 or visit www.chestnutsquare.info

When selecting a retirement community, seniors often cite the ability to maintain an active lifestyle as the most important factor in their decision. That’s why at Chestnut Square at The Glen, residents are encouraged to help shape our diverse lineup of programs, events and services! Each month, various resident committees gather with the management team to discuss different topics. The Floor Reps Committee ensures that new residents are immediately greeted by their Chestnut neighbors and made to feel welcome from the day they move in. The Trips and Transportation Committee works on Chestnut’s flexible shuttle schedule. The Programs and Events Committee helps plan in-house gatherings and fun outings to area destinations...and there are additional committees as well! Physical, social, intellectual, and spiritual well-being are hallmarks of the community, and residents are encouraged to continually explore new interests. “Living at Chestnut Square, you have lots of opportunities to try new things every day,” says Lori Precht. “I’ve already served on two of the resident committees, and the staff have an open-door policy and really care about us.” Chestnut Square, an independent senior living community located in the heart of The Glen, features spacious 1 and 2-bedroom floor plans, a flexible signature dining program, all-inclusive services and amenities, and a 100% refundable entrance fee. Homecare services are also available on-site if ever needed. To learn more about Chestnut Square at The Glen’s holistic approach to senior well-being, please call (847) 998-1118 or visit www.chestnutsquare.info

On June 27, 2022, we were thrilled to welcome Bridget Mitchell to our team as Director of Health and Wellness. In her new role, Bridget will lead our Health and Wellness Office, conveniently located at Chestnut Square inside the Partners in Healthcare suite. Bridget has a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and is a Registered Nurse. She also has a Master of Education degree and comes to us with a wealth of nursing experience in senior living communities, home health and hospital settings. Working with our leadership team, she will be responsible for developing health and wellness services and programs that promote holistic well-being for residents of Chestnut Square (an independent senior living community), clients of Partners in Healthcare (our caregiver agency), and the employees of Bethany Methodist. The new Health and Wellness Office will offer various services including a weekly wellness clinic with blood pressure checks; basic first aid services; educational resources; and general coordination with third party healthcare providers. Bridget’s other roles include serving as Nursing Supervisor for Partners in Healthcare, providing training for non-medical caregivers as needed, and coordinating private duty skilled nursing services. In addition, she will be providing monthly educational programs that focus on preventative care and healthy living within and beyond our community. “The minute I arrived at Chestnut Square, I felt like I was at home,” says Bridget. “Everyone has welcomed me with open arms, and I’m excited to be a health resource and advocate for our seniors.” Bridget and her husband live on Chicago’s north side and are the proud parents of three adult children. She also loves dancing, singing, keeping fit, and playing with her adorable Chihuahua, Finny. To learn more about Chestnut Square at The Glen’s holistic approach to senior well-being, please call (847) 998-1118 or visit www.chestnutsquare.info

David Anderson, one of Chestnut Square’s newest residents, is a natural extrovert who quickly makes friends wherever he goes. “Being from Scotland, there’s a certain sense of wanderlust that’s in my DNA…I think it’s why I love traveling so much and meeting new people.” Born and raised in Edinburgh, David earned an MBA from the University of Chicago and would go on to spend 53 years working for Deloitte in various corporate roles across the globe. His assignments included stays in Scotland, Canada, Singapore, Italy, Vietnam, and the United States. “I also have a passion for teaching, and for many years I served as an Assistant Adjunct Professor at the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.” As an avid reader with a penchant for spy thrillers, he enjoys the works of several authors, including Ian Fleming and Ian Rankin. “You can’t forget that Sean Connery is from Edinburgh just like me,” he says with a wide grin. When David retired in 2015, he knew he wanted to settle down in the Chicago area to be near family, but finding the right spot would take a little time. “At my previous residence, most of my neighbors weren’t of my generation, so meeting new people was somewhat difficult. My daughter knew I was looking for a more social environment and she recommended that I tour Chestnut Square. It wasn’t too long before I discovered she was really on to something.” This past April, David moved into his new 2-bedroom apartment. “As a resident, I enjoy being in The Glen with so many places within walking distance,” he says. “Most of all, I love the convenience of Chestnut Square’s dining program and not having to worry about cooking. I can head downstairs, meet new people each night, and the conversations are lively and fascinating. A new friend is always just around the corner.” To learn more about Chestnut Square at The Glen’s holistic approach to senior well-being, please call (847) 998-1118 or visit www.chestnutsquare.info

We’ve all experienced the phenomenon of hearing a favorite song played on the radio or television, and instantly having a wave of old memories wash over us from our personal associations to the melody. Music stimulates some of the broadest networks in the human brain, including emotions, language, memory, and even the motor cortex—regardless of whether or not we’re even moving! A study conducted by AARP has shown that a higher percentage of seniors who engage in music self-rate aspects of their quality of life and happiness as excellent or very good. They also report lower average levels of anxiety and depression. What's more, music facilitates social interactions—another boon for the brain. When adults sing or perform together, they experience less loneliness and a better quality of life, compared with adults who don't create music with others. Both strong social ties and improved mental well-being are associated with reduced risks for cognitive decline and improved brain health as well. 8 WAYS TO TURN ON THE POWER OF MUSIC: 1. Put music in your life, and share it with friends and family. Music may improve well-being, including quality of life. 2. Dance, sing or move to music for exercise, stress relief, social connections and brain stimulation. 3. Listen to familiar music that comforts you and evokes positive memories and associations. 4. Try listening to new music, too. Unfamiliar melodies may stimulate your brain. 5. Listen to music to encourage yourself to exercise. Music can provide a mental boost and help motivate you to move your body. 6. Get your hearing checked. Correcting hearing loss is important for maintaining brain health, preserving cognitive function and enjoying music. 7. Make music yourself by singing or playing an instrument. 8. Make music with other people. Try joining or forming a community choir, a band or an orchestra. Don and Agnes O’Grady , happily married for 62 years, have enjoyed the positive influence of music for decades. While Don was a successful stockbroker and Agnes served as reading and language coordinator at an elementary school, they also devoted countless hours to musical enrichment. During their 25+ years volunteering at an Evanston soup kitchen, Don would play the piano to greet the guests while Agnes prepared the food and led everyone in song. Now, as residents of Chestnut Square at The Glen, Don still serenades Agnes on their piano every night before dinner, and the couple frequently invites their neighbors over to join in the chorus. “Experiencing the joy of music each day is part of the reason we’ve been able to remain so active and involved in our golden years,” says Agnes. “Music is totally immersive and feeds the soul…it’s been a great gift to both of us!” To learn more about Chestnut Square at The Glen’s holistic approach to senior well-being, please call (847) 998-1118 or visit www.chestnutsquare.info

For seniors who have been contemplating—or delaying—a move to a retirement community over the past few years, the old adage of “There’s no better time than the present” rings especially true now as we head into the spring of 2022. A combination of recent developments, including a return to normalcy after the peak of the Omicron wave, a once-in-a-lifetime housing market for seniors looking to sell, and warmer weather just around the corner, is leading many older adults to the conclusion that now is the time to finally treat themselves to the benefits of maintenance-free retirement living. At Chestnut Square, an independent senior living community in Glenview, Illinois, residents enjoy spacious 1 and 2-bedroom floor plans with full kitchen and in-unit washer/dryer, all-inclusive services and amenities, diverse cultural and recreational events, 24/7 concierge services, and an unmatched location in the heart of The Glen. To fully appreciate why Chestnut Square has become such an attractive destination for seniors in Chicago’s northern suburbs, a sampling of our most recent testimonials reveals the many reasons: “Living at Chestnut Square is like living in a top-rate resort, or on a cruise without the water. Best location, delicious food, and ample programs for one's physical, cognitive, and spiritual well-being. The place is impeccably clean. Kept us free of COVID-19 during the height of the pandemic. The food is healthy and delicious, staff are available 24/7, they are wonderful and go above and beyond my expectations.” ~ Elizabeth A. “Really grateful we found this place—our mom loves it, and so do we. The staff is warm, friendly, and helpful—they all know all the residents by name. The ambiance is lovely; this feels like an upscale, Prairie Style apartment building. There's a full calendar of activities, and the staff clearly puts a lot of time and effort into ensuring the quality and variety of offerings, including holiday celebrations.” ~ Linda H. “We chose Chestnut Square because 1) The size was comfortable and not overwhelming like most of the places we researched; 2) The location in the beautiful Glen of Glenview was ideal. I am a walker and Elliot is a bike rider and there is a large park across the street and three shopping areas in walking distance plus the lovely streets of homes; 3) We were well treated at our initial contact and have continued to be so. We are able to choose our decor in our apartment refurbishing. Our two-bedroom apartment has adequate space for our living and dining furniture, the bedroom holds all five pieces, and the second bedroom is a comfortable den, TV, and computer room. There is adequate closet and storage space. The food has been excellent, ample, and beautifully served.” ~ Alice and Elliot R. “We moved my mother to Chestnut Square from Los Angeles so she would be closer to us as she aged. She has now been here over nine years and is really happy with her living situation. The employees are so kind, the social opportunities are abundant, and the programs have been both enjoyable and educational. I am thrilled that she has found friends with whom to share her daily experiences and has told me that these past years have made her really happy. We looked at five or six different communities before she came here and there's no doubt that she made the right decision when choosing Chestnut Square. As her daughter, I feel confident and comforted that someone always has her best interests at heart.” ~ Penny G. “Great people! Great staff! Great food! We love having our mother here knowing she’s well taken care of and in a safe and friendly community.” ~ Paul and Elin K. For more information about Chestnut Square at The Glen’s vibrant senior living community, please call (847) 998-1118 or visit www.chestnutsquare.info