Services
Our social services help both older adults and caregivers navigate the dynamics associated with aging.
Support groups
Bacoa’s Alzheimer’s Support Group provides education, speakers and support for families and caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
It meets the second Wednesday of every month from 10:30 a.m.-noon; it is currently meeting via Zoom. There is no charge for this program, but registration is requested.
For more information, call Pam Pellizzari at (847) 381-5030.
Alzheimer’s Support Group
Pre-registration is required for all programs. You will receive the Zoom link via email 60 minutes before the program. This link will become active 15 minutes before the program. Registration is […]
Find out more »Bacoa, in partnership with NeuroBalance Center, offers a Family Caregiver Support Group. The group provides education and support for families of people with a chronic illness such as Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, stroke, Alzheimer’s and related dementias, arthritis, cancer, COPD, diabetes, and heart disease.
Pam Pellizzari, Bacoa’s memory programs director and Molly Ross, assistant director of operations for NeuroBalance Center co-facilitate the group. Registration is required; please call Molly Ross at (847) 800-6162.
It meets the first Tuesday of every month from 1-2:30 p.m.; it is currently meeting via Zoom. There is no charge for this program.
Family Caregiver Support Group
Pre-registration is required for all programs. You will receive the Zoom link via email 60 minutes before the program. This link will become active 15 minutes before the program. Registration is […]
Find out more »The Low Vision Support Group offers education and support for people living with restricted vision.
It meets the second Thursday of each month, from 1-2:30 p.m. via Zoom.
There is no charge to participate, but registration is required for new attendees.
For registration and details, call Diane Vos Hansen at (847) 381-5030.
Social Services
Studies have demonstrated that isolation and loneliness are serious health risks and lead to premature death, especially in the elderly. Bacoa’s focus ensures there are socialization opportunities for aging adults, including those with health-related challenges.
“A Day Out” is an adult day program designed to provide a safe, structured, and engaging social setting for older individuals with early to mid-stage memory loss. Participants connect and engage with others, and care partners have time to focus on their own well-being.
The program is offered at:
Atonement Lutheran Church
909 E. Main Street, Barrington
Thursdays
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Cost is $45/daily
Participants should bring their own lunch.
Activities are planned and led by Memory Programs Director Pam Pellizzari. Program activities vary each day and include: movement and music with our board-certified therapists, chair fitness, yoga/meditation, pet therapy, local nature center presentations, painting, games, puzzles, creative writing, group discussion on current events, poetry, and reminiscing.
For more information, please call Pam Pellizzari at (847) 881-0477.
A grant from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America helps to support this program.
There are no upcoming events at this time.
Bacoa and the Ela Area Public Library are partners for this program designed for people with memory loss and their care partners. Participants with memory loss and care companions can take part in fun activities in a relaxed setting, while making new friendships and offering support to each other. Memory Café also offers care companions access to resources such as support groups, information and referral services.
Memory Cafe meets the third Tuesday of the month from 10-11 a.m. on Zoom.
To hear more about the benefits of Memory Café, listen to a podcast interview with Bacoa’s Pam Pellizzari and Christy Wagner of the Ela Area Public Library.
A grant from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America helps to support this program.
There are no upcoming events at this time.
Bacoa’s Meals with Wheels program provides hot, nutritious meals to older adults who are unable to prepare meals for themselves either because of poor health or low income. Participants can also receive meals on a short-term basis after a hospitalization or rehab stay.
Bacoa serves some 4,000 meals annually. Deliveries are made by local organizations and volunteers.
For more information about receiving Meals with Wheels, please call Bacoa at (847) 381-5030.
Bacoa provides older adults and their families with information on a variety of benefits. These include:
Insurance
- Medicare—including Part D—and Medicare supplements
- Prescription drug assistance
- Retiree health plans
- Claims processing
- Long-term care
- Bacoa is a SHIP (Senior Health Insurance Program) site providing counseling and information on a variety of health insurance topics:
- The “When I’m 64″ series in September helps beneficiaries better understand Medicare
- Medicare A and B, Medicare Part D, and Medicare supplements
- Medicare Advantage
- Medicare-Medicaid Alignment Initiative
- Medicare Cost Savings Plans for beneficiaries with low income
- Assistance in understanding Medicare claims processing and filing appeals
- From mid-October through early December, SHIP-certified counselors take appointments to evaluate Medicare Part D plans to ensure beneficiaries are getting the best pricing
- Prescription drug assistance for beneficiaries with low income
- Medicare prevention and wellness benefits
- The Healthcare Insurance Marketplace for those 64 and under without insurance
If you have difficulty paying for Medicare or accessing lower-cost health care, you may qualify for federal programs that can help you. Read more about them, including what they cover and their eligibility requirements, and call Bacoa at (847) 381-5030 for enrollment assistance.
Benefits
AARP Income Tax Assistance Program
AARP-certified volunteers assist seniors with their income tax returns.
Benefit Access website
Senior and disabled ride free transit and license plate sticker discount for lower incomes
LIHEAP
Heat, electric, and other assistance for low-income families in Northwest Cook County
For a personal appointment, call Bacoa at (847) 381-5030.
- Resources to make an elder’s living situation safe and comfortable. Bacoa provides information, services, and counsel on in-home home care services, emergency response systems, and housing options, such as rental retirement, assisted living and skilled nursing facilities. Our staff also make home visits to assess elders’ needs and assist with implementing appropriate services.
- Bacoa’s Meals with Wheels program delivers healthy, hot, noon meals. Meals are available Monday through Friday to persons unable to shop or prepare their own meals.
- Bacoa offers a memory screening program to assess for possible mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Screenings are not meant to diagnose, but to identify any memory issues that can be further addressed with a physician. Screenings take about a half hour, and in-person and Zoom appointments are available. Call Sue McNamara at Bacoa at (847) 381-5030 to schedule an appointment.
- Information on transportation services, including Bacoa’s Easy Riders program, PACE Dial-a-Ride, taxi subsidies, and hospital transportation service.
Easy Riders
Bacoa is proud to offer the Easy Riders transportation program. Thanks to local volunteers we are able to offer rides to medical appointments, errands, and Bacoa events. Call (847) 381-5030 at least five days before your appointment to reserve a ride.
Pace Dial-a-Ride Service
Service runs 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday-Friday; reservations can be made 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. for the following day. Rides to medical appointments can be made up to a week in advance. The fare is $2 each way; exact change to be paid to the driver. For reservations, call (800) 273-5939; TTY, (888) 454-4724. For a description of the service area, see Pace’s website.
This critical service is coordinated by Bacoa, with funding based on ridership, provided by each of the member villages within the Barrington Area Council of Governments, including Barrington and Cuba Townships. Additional funding comes from PACE and rider fees.
Escorted Transportation Service Northwest
ETS/NW is a volunteer-based transportation service for older adults to use for health-related appointments. It is available by appointment only. Seven days’ advanced notice is required. For more information – including service areas – see the group’s website.
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital
Transportation is available to and from the main hospital campus, Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Fitness Center, and other outpatient locations for residents living in the following zip codes: 60010, 60012, 60013, 60014, 60021, 60042, 60047, 60050, 60051, 60067, 60074, 60084, 60156 and 60102. To make transportation arrangements, call (844) 574-5700 at least 24 hours in advance. A minimal fee is required.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) assists eligible low-income households with their electric and heating bills, energy crisis assistance, weatherization and energy-related home repairs. Find out more.
Bacoa staff can help determine if you’re eligible and assist with the application process. To get started, call Bacoa at (847) 381-5030.