Support & Resources
Our highly trained intake team, social workers and care coordinators provide assistance to older adults so they can live safely and comfortably in their own homes, allowing them to “age in place” and avoid premature, long-term nursing home placement. From home-delivered meals and help in the home, to friendly visiting and a variety of support groups, we provide comprehensive care and services to our community.
North Shore Senior Center is accredited by CARF International, an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services. This accreditation validates our commitment to excellence and the well-being of the older adults we serve.
For more information, call 847.784.6040.
For a list of community resources, click here.
Case Management
Our case managers can assist eligible individuals with various facets of community support. Common issues include applying for benefits, arranging for help in the home, receiving home-delivered meals, or gaining access to medical care and affordable housing.
This program requires an assessment to determine an individual’s needs before a plan of care can be implemented.
For more information, call 847.784.6040.
Community Care Program
This program helps older adults maintain their independence and avoid nursing home placement. The Community Care Program (CCP) provides eligible older adults with comprehensive care coordination, in-home homemaker services to assist with personal care and household tasks, emergency home response services, and automated medication dispensers. CCP also may provide for adult day services in which individuals can spend time engaged in various supervised recreational and social activities.
You are eligible if you are:
- 60 years old or older
- Either a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen within the specific categories
- A resident of Illinois
- Have non-exempt assets of $17,500 or less (Your home, car, or personal furnishings are classified as exempt assets.)
- Have an assessed need for long term care (to be at risk for nursing facility placement as measured by the Determination of Need (DON) assessment)
To learn more, call 847.784.6040.
Escorted Transportation Services
The Escorted Transportation Service (ETS) is a volunteer-based program that provides independent older adults age 60+ and individuals with disabilities age 18–59 with occasional rides to medical and dental appointments. The service is available Monday through Friday for appointments scheduled between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. There are no fees for this service.
ETS is open to residents of Northfield and New Trier townships. While there is no fee, registration is required. Call 847.242.6257 to register or learn more. Once you are registered, you may call the ETS Ride Request Line at 847.784.6053 to request a ride.
Please note that ETS drivers cannot accommodate wheelchairs. ETS is not an urgent or emergency service and is intended for the occasional appointment; multiple requests per week by an individual cannot be accommodated. At least 7 to 10 days advance notice is required.
Escorted Transportation Service Boundaries:
To use ETS, you must live in Northfield or New Trier Township (outlined in red dotted lines). Your ride destination must be within the following boundaries:
North: Half Day Road (Highland Park)
South: Howard Street (Evanston)
East: Lake Michigan
West: Interstate 294 (Bannockburn, Deerfield, Northbrook, north Glenview)
West: Milwaukee Avenue (south Glenview, Niles, Morton Grove)
Major hospitals in our service area boundaries include: Evanston Hospital, St. Francis Hospital, Glenbrook Hospital, Highland Park Hospital, and Skokie Hospital.
The following hospitals are outside of and not included in our service area: Lake Forest Hospital, Lutheran General Hospital, and Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
Friendly Visiting
Too often, seniors become isolated at a time in their lives when they would most benefit from social contacts and assistance. This outreach effort pairs trained NSSC volunteers with homebound older adults to socialize on a weekly basis and forge lasting friendships.
If you would like to have a friendly visitor, email intake_team@nssc.org or call 847.784.6040.
If you are interested in becoming a Friendly Visitor, email volunteer@nssc.org or call 847.242.6257.
H.O.P.E./Colbert
The H.O.P.E./Colbert program helps eligible nursing home residents get back into the community and live as independently as possible. Our team of professionals works with residents, family members and facility staff to evaluate readiness, discuss service options and coordinate support, ensuring each client has a seamless transition back into independence.
Home Options Path to Empowerment (H.O.P.E.) is provided by AgeOptions and is funded by the Department of Human Services under the Colbert and Williams Consent decrees.
Visit www.hopebyageoptions.org for more information.
Home-Delivered Meals
This program ensures that isolated older adults can enjoy healthy, nutritious food in their homes. NSSC provides assessments to determine need, makes referrals to meal providers, and monitors the program’s effectiveness.
For more information, call 847.784.6040.
Homemaker Services
This program can help provide a trained housekeeper to assist older adults by doing light housekeeping several hours each month. An assessment is required to determine eligibility.
To learn more, call 847.784.6040.
Information & Referrals
NSSC’s professional staff is available in-person or over the phone to connect individuals and families to valuable community resources and make referrals to other vital services.
Each program has slightly different guidelines and policies. All services are voluntary and confidential.
Call 847.784.6040 for more information.
Lending Closet
Hours:
Monday – Friday
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Our Northfield Campus operates a Free Lending Closet from which people can borrow durable medical equipment. The Lending Closet is particularly useful for people recovering from surgery, injury, or illness. Items can be borrowed for a period of three months. Extended borrowing periods can sometimes be accommodated, if our inventory permits. This is a completely free service, with no membership, residency, age or income requirements. Monetary donations are welcome and greatly appreciated.
Our inventory fluctuates based on public demand, but these items are generally available:
- Canes
- Long-Handled Shoe Horns
- Reachers (for picking up objects)
- Sock Aids (to assist with putting on socks)
- Walkers
- Wheelchairs
Due to health and safety concerns, the Lending Closet does not loan out or accept personal care/hygiene equipment such as raised toilet seats, commodes, transfer benches, shower chairs or crutches.
For more information, please call 847.784.6000.
Older Adults Benefits
Navigating benefits and financial assistance programs can be challenging, but the North Shore Senior Center is here to help. Our trained volunteers provide free benefits counseling to assist older adults in applying for and maintaining public entitlements, including LIHEAP energy assistance, SNAP/Link benefits, and the Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) for Medicare guidance. SHIP counselors offer unbiased, no-cost support to help individuals understand Medicare, Medicaid, and other health coverage options.
Support Groups
North Shore Senior Center offers a variety of support groups to provide connection, encouragement, and valuable resources for older adults, caregivers, and those facing specific challenges. Whether you’re navigating Parkinson’s disease, hearing loss, caregiving responsibilities, dementia, or raising grandchildren, our groups offer a supportive space to share experiences and gain insights. If you don’t see a group that fits your needs, let us know—we’ll do our best to form one.
