Pathlights Kicks Off Annual Appeal With a New Goal And A New Twist

Palos Heights – Since January, Pathlights has been celebrating their 50th Anniversary in ways big and small. They expanded their service area late last year, held their first-ever Gala in May, are hosting an AgeWell Symposium later this week and are filling their social media with a continuing stream of events, cultural touchstones and birthdays that happened a half century ago.

Founded in 1975 when the United States Congress fully funded the Older Americans Act, Pathlights provides support, resources and services to older adults and their caregivers. Pathlights works in Bremen, Lemont, Orland, Palos, Rich and Worth Townships’ service area.

Because of exponentially growing needs, Pathlights kicked off its annual appeal this month with a larger goal than ever before. The 500 For 50 campaign, in honor of Pathlights’ 50th anniversary, aims to raise $500 each day for fifty days. The campaign will end October 25, with a goal of $25,000 in total.

Elaine Grande, Executive Director of Pathlights, says, “Many older adults on fixed incomes use food pantries and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) to stretch their food dollars, but higher food costs have made buying sufficient, nutritious foods extremely difficult. As a result, we have seen an increase in applications for our Home Delivered Meals Program.”

Pathlights has also seen a surge of interest in their caregiver support programs. “Family members are experiencing extreme pressure to provide 24/7 care for their older loved ones. AARP recently reported that there has been a 45% increase in unpaid, family caregivers just since 2015. For many caregivers, especially the sandwich generation – those with younger children and older parents or grandparents who all need care – the stress can be untenable. They are running on empty themselves while doing their best to provide care and support to everyone who needs it. There is also a significant need among adult children who have moved out of the area. They are concerned about older parents and loved ones, but are not able to care for or check on them regularly.”

Pathlights Resource Development Manager Alison Parker said, “This year, the need is greater. At some point, nearly everyone will need assistance in the aging journey, even if older adults are financially stable. For example, caregivers will need help. They need support from others in the same boat, they need techniques to ease their own stress, they need respite from 24/7 caregiving.”

When families are suddenly confronted with their older loved ones in medically difficult situations, Pathlights is there with a helping hand, at every hospital in their service area. “When you suddenly have a responsibility to an older adult to make decisions about care options, or to take over financial matters, it can be so overwhelming,” says Grande. “People can feel so lost, and afraid to make a mistake. Our options counselors and care coordinators help by providing all the information and guidance needed for families and caregivers to make the best decisions for their older loved one and for themselves, quickly and with confidence.”

Breaking the $25,000 goal into $500 a day allows Pathlights to explain what $500 can do for the older adults in the community. Parker explains, “When adult children aren’t in the area to help their older loved one daily, Pathlights can step in and provide security and support. $500 can provide thirteen hours of light housekeeping to ensure older adults with mobility challenges are in sanitary and secure homes. It can also provide several months of home delivered meals, so that out-of-town adult child knows their family member is not only eating healthy nutritious meals, but also getting a well-being check several times a week.”

Parker continued, “For people who care for loved ones with memory loss who cannot be left alone, $500 can provide fifteen hours of respite care, allowing caregivers to attend their own doctors’ appointments, have a much-needed visit with a friend, or even rake the leaves outside of their home with peace of mind.”

Grande added, “Many older adults are increasingly at a loss with technology, finding it difficult to make a doctor’s appointment, check their bank balance, pay their utilities or stay connected to their families. $500 can provide them with a tablet or laptop to enroll in our TechWise classes.”

Supporting the annual appeal and the goal of $25,000 can be done at Pathlights’ website, www.pathlights.org. On the individual donation page, visitors will see what each level of giving can provide older adults in our neighborhoods.

Because it takes a village to care for older adults too, Pathlights is also offering a team fundraising option. “It’s a perfect opportunity to bring together people who are helping their parents, grandparents or older loved ones and have some competitive fun,” says Parker.

Grande says, “The population of older adults continues to grow, surpassing previous estimates, which means the need for Pathlights’ services is greater than ever. We are asking for the public’s support – please help us raise $500 a day for fifty days to strengthen the well-being of older adults. Every contribution makes a direct impact right here in Chicago’s southwest and south suburbs.”

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