Health and Wellness

Dr. Robert Roose, son of Tom and Rosie Roose, will be joining us on September 23 at 9:30 am to talk about the opioid crisis, explain what opioids are, and how to protect yourself from becoming addicted. Dr. Roose serves as the Vice President of Behavioral Health for Mercy Medical Center in Springfield Massachusetts and is an expert in the field of addiction medicine.

Please join us for this crucial conversation open to all!

Life Line Screening will be offering preventive health screenings on Monday, March 19, 2018.  As part of the screening event, Life Line Screening will offer low-cost take-home colorectal cancer tests called FIT (Fecal Immunochemical Test) in recognition of March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. These tests are simple, accurate, and recommended for the early detection of colorectal cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the risk of developing colorectal cancer increases with age.  More than 90% of cases occur in people aged 50 and older.

Other preventive screenings provided check for stroke risk, abdominal aortic aneurysms, and osteoporosis. First United Methodist Church is pleased to make these important screenings available by hosting Life Line Screening, the nation's leading provider of preventive health screenings.

Screenings are fast, painless and affordable.  Three key tests check for blocked carotid arteries, an irregular heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation, and high blood pressure, which are the three leading risk factors for stroke.  Strokes are the third leading cause of death in the U.S., yet, with preventive strategies, 80% of strokes can be prevented.

Other tests check for abdominal aortic aneurysms and hardening of the arteries in the legs. A bone density screening to assess osteoporosis risk is also offered and is appropriate for both men and women. Many events also offer blood tests, including cholesterol, glucose and c-reactive protein screenings. 

Screening packages start at $139. Single tests cost around $70.

Save the Date for Christmas Carol Singing!

Join us December 16 for family caroling to our homebound members. We will meet in the church parking lot at 2:30 p.m. We hope you can join us anytime during the trip. For the schedule and to RSVP, please contact Tom and Rosie Roose at 630.204.1565. We hope to have you join our singing merriment!

We are an aging population and with age comes the need for new ways of living and new services. Homes become harder to maintain and a change to an easier place to live without the need for constant upkeep is often desired. People’s needs for physical care change and help with meals, cleaning, or bathing might be required. Memory can begin to fail and a safer place may become a necessity. Financial resources can be depleted and Medicaid services might become the only fall back for a family with an aging relative who requires 24 hour care. Many options are offered and it behooves those of us who are aging or have relatives who are aging to learn about the options available to us in this area.

On Tuesday, October 3 a panel of five representatives from five different organizations will share information about their facilities.

Susan Neustrom from Adult Day Care located at Gloria Dei in Downers Grove will share information on their services which are offered Monday – Friday from 7:30 a.m. - 5:45 p.m. for adults who cannot safely be left at home

Mary Ferguson from Aspired in Westmont will explain their independent living, assisted living and memory care options.

Becky Mayer from Lombard Place will help us understand the differences between assisted living, transitional memory care and memory care services.

Penny Barsamti from Heritage Woods will share how their assisted living services can stay in place once a person’s financial resources are depleted.

Alyson Simek will discuss the many options Brookdale offers for senior living care ranging from Independent Living to Skilled Nursing Care, and Home Health Services.