Senior Services
Retirement Activity Center
Disabilities are not confined to children and young adults. People with disabilities are living longer. Yet the need to support elderly men and women with disabilities has too often been overlooked. Orchard Village started the first Retirement Activity Center (RAC) for people with disabilities in the State of Illinois. It has met a substantial need for our residential consumers.
The Orchard Village RAC prides itself on creating and modifying activities so that nearly everyone, no matter how profound the disability/cognitive state, can participate at some level. Activities are consumer-directed and are targeted to encourage good physical and mental health, promote feelings of dignity and self-worth, and nurture a responsibility for giving back to the greater community. These activities include gardening, simple cooking classes, health focus groups, writing letters to heroic soldiers, community outings (i.e. museums, shopping malls, picnics, parks), trivia and specialized groups such as “sensory” groups for the profoundly disabled (which includes but is not limited to aroma therapy, tactile stimulation, etc).
This program enables people to meet critical Outcomes in their later years and achieve involved, enjoyable and fulfilling lives. Seniors spend their weekdays among others who share their interests and abilities. Companionship is a natural outcome of these supports.
