Walking for Independence

In late September, Pathlights, an organization that provides services and resources to aid older adult as they age and their caregivers, held its first AgeWell Community Walk. The event, which brought seniors and families together to help build a sense of community in the aging in place community, was something the organization had considered doing for a while.

“There are walks for cancer, for rare diseases, for pets, but there’s not a lot out there that just focuses on aging,” said Karen Young, the manager of corporate partnerships for Pathlights in Palo Heights, Illinois. “The simple fact is that aging is a journey that everyone goes on, and there’s many different things you encounter along the way.”

Young said the Pathlights team wanted to host an annual walk to build a better sense of community and to “bring generations together and fundraise” to raise awareness for what the organization does.

The event held activities for family members of all ages, and also included food, music and raffles. At the event, visitors and participants also found information about home-delivered meals and in-home services, caregiver support groups, adult protective services and memory gatherings, technology and estate planning seminars and financial and benefits advocacy, all helping older adults stay in their homes as long and as safely as possible.

Pathlights Resource Development Manager Alison Parker said the event had a great turnout and the organization was able to raise more than $50,000 to help older adults maintain their independence.

“This walk is about more than just one day or one event,” said Elaine Grande, executive director at Pathlights. “It’s about recognizing the roles that all of us play in creating a community where older adults and caregivers know they are not alone and where the natural process of aging is met with kindness, understanding, compassion and support.”