The Co-op was recently awarded an Aging Impact Award from the Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging.
Thanks to Julie Wilson from Care Partners, we attended an age-friendly training session in April 2025. We had many systems in place and made a few updates after the training.
If you have suggestions, please let us know. And if you’re interested in learning more for yourself or your business, visit arrowheadaging.org
Cook County Co-op Age-Friendly Efforts
Below are a few highlights.
Internal / Team + Board-focused
– Multi-generational team with leadership open-door policy for ideas and comments
– Health, vision, life, and dental insurance benefits; health paid at 100% for basic with paid/lower deductible options available, low-cost dental
– Matching IRA available
– Flexible, part-time schedules available
– Concerted effort to have age diversity on our board
– Board directors act as liaisons to all owners and the community at large
Customer-focused
– Humans answer our phones and routinely check on things for customers
– Sales flyers and soup schedules taken to the Hub, where seniors meet daily.
– Increased font size in our emails
– Increased font size on our website
– Use accessibility tools for visibility with all marketing, both analog and digital
– Attendance at and support for Care Partners work in our community
Building + Facilities
– Accessible ramp
– Carryout service available (and regularly requested)
– Snow removal happens throughout the day during heavy snowfall
– Increased font size on signs and flyers
– Quiet hour with no music from 8-9am daily
– Reading glasses at each register