Pathlights’ In-home Services Help Merrionette Park Woman Stay In Home for 66 Years.

Palos Heights - Betty Lukasik and her husband Andrew purchased their Merrionette Park home in 1959 and raised five children there. Andrew passed away in 1981, and Lukasik was firmly entrenched not just in her home, but in the surrounding neighborhood.

As she grew older, Lukasik struggled to pay secondary health insurance, her electric bill, water bill, gas bill, property tax – and buy groceries - with just $1,228 a month in Social Security.

When her SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits were approved and then denied, her daughter Barbara McDonald of Tinley Park got involved, spending a day with her at the Department of Human Services to appeal the ruling. There, McDonald met Christine Suddreth with Pathlights.

“Christine gave me a list of programs that my mom was eligible for and we set up an appointment,” says McDonald. Pathlights was able to connect Lukasik with a myriad of programs that helped her financially, including LIHEAP utility discounts, property tax relief, and of course, SNAP benefits.

Pathlights, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, helps guide adults over 60, their caregivers and their families and friends along their aging journey. The agency, located in Palos Heights, provides resources, advocacy, programs and services needed to live with independence and dignity. Pathlights serves older adults living in the townships of Bremen, Lemont, Orland, Palos, Rich and Worth.

“They told us what benefits were available, if she was eligible and then walked us through the application process, telling us exactly what documentation we needed and how to submit everything,” McDonald says. “Every year since 2018, Pathlights has helped us get what my mom needed to stay in her home.”

Carletta Gatling is a Senior Caregiver Specialist with Pathlights. “Aging in place is very important for older adults; they want to stay in their home, but they need assistance and support. More and more, family is not able to assist them. They’re no longer in the area, they are taking care of their children, they are working – and all this makes it more difficult to care for their parents.”

“Different settings may be suggested by family members, but most people want to stay where they’ve lived for a long time. Their home holds memories, it holds love, it’s more comfortable. As their physical body changes, older adults want to be in a familiar space.”

Indeed, Relocation Stress Syndrome occurs at any age when a person moves from one environment to another, but the incidence increases for older adults, as risk factors include physical limitations, being widowed, and limited independence. Relocation Stress Syndrome can increase depression and distress, escalate a decline in cognitive functioning, cause a withdrawal from social activities and lead to premature death.

Staying in her home was very important to Lukasik. While she needed financial assistance, Lukasik was still independent and wanted to be able to do things on her own. “She didn’t want to be a burden to any of us,” McDonald says. “She said, ‘your lifestyles are too busy for me’ and it was important for her to feel able-bodied. She wanted to stay in her own neighborhood too.”

However, as Lukasik aged, her mobility declined. “She didn’t need full time help,” McDonald recalled, “but she did need help with certain things.”

Gatling says this need is typical. “Often, older adults need help with the activities of daily living. They may need help with personal care such as bathing and grooming. They may need light housekeeping help, help running errands, or medication reminders. Our staff arranges these services, which also act as well-being checks and opportunities to socialize.”

Pathlights was able to arrange personal care, light housekeeping and laundry services for Lukasik, helping her maintain her independence.

Gatling notes that many older adults have trouble shopping for and preparing nutritious, well-balanced meals. In fact, 23% of older adults report their diets are “fair or poor.” That’s where Pathlights Home Delivered Meals can help.

“Older adults may not be able to cook on a stove, but they can microwave. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, our clients receive both a hot meal and a frozen meal,” says Gatling.

Meals are balanced with protein such as chicken, complex carbohydrates, and vegetables, accompanied with milk. All meals are low-sodium and can typically accommodate dietary preferences and restrictions. Pathlights and its catering partners offer meals for diabetic clients, those experiencing kidney disease, pureed meals, and more. When these meals are delivered three days a week, it again serves as an opportunity for a wellness check-in and a friendly conversation.

Gatling says, “This is especially important when they don’t have family nearby to check-in. Now, they have someone coming to the house several times each week.”

When Lukasik’s health began failing, Pathlights arranged for an Emergency Home Response Service through the Community Care Program, who responded when Lukasik fell or had any medical emergency. “My mother never would have been able to afford that on her own,” notes McDonald, “and it was such a comfort for us, because we don’t live nearby.”

“These buttons now have a fall detection capability,” says Gatling. “Clients don’t even have to physically press the button. If there is a sudden jolt to the device, the provider will contact the client through an intercom. If there is no response, they call the client’s emergency contact and send emergency services.”

In 2024, after multiple falls, rehabilitation stays and more falls, Lukasik’s doctors determined she was no longer able to stay in her home. Decisions needed to be made and quickly, but McDonald and her siblings didn’t know where to start.

So McDonald called Pathlights and accessed the Options Counseling service.

Pathlights walked them through the difficult transition, step by step. They helped the siblings determine what level of care Lukasik would need and helped them understand their options for support, nursing facilities and community services.

“Just hearing that friendly voice on the phone saying “don’t worry, we’re going to help you through this” was such a comfort,” McDonald says. “Pathlights helped us through decisions we didn’t even know we needed to make.”

Lukasik passed away in February of this year. “Pathlights helped us through everything, right until the very end,” said McDonald.

McDonald is a vocal champion of Pathlights and its services. “My mother was able to stay in her home for sixty-six years because of Pathlights – without them, she never would have and it was so important to her.” She and her siblings were able to navigate Lukasik’s medical crises and move to a nursing facility because of the help and support Pathlights provided.

“Pathlights took the most difficult situation and made it so much easier. I honestly don’t know where we’d be without them,” says McDonald. “The support and kindness that Pathlights showed throughout was remarkable.”

“I tell people, don’t wait until you’re well into it to call Pathlights. Get them involved as soon as possible and let them help you. Pathlights is there to fight for you, to help you get you care, financial help, medical supplies. Pathlights will help you stay in your home for absolutely as long as possible.”

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