Davenport, IA - 'Tis the season for holiday traditions including the Quad Cities Police Seniors Light Tour.  Quad City area police departments have joined forces for the 2015 Senior Holiday Light Tour traveling throughout the Quad City area on Monday, December 14th.

The Davenport Police Department has teamed up with CASI-The Center for Active Seniors to chauffer the areas older adults to view the most elaborate holiday light displays in and around the Quad City area.

The tour begins at CASI - The Center for Active Seniors at 1035 West Kimberly Road, Davenport with board beginning at 6:15 pm. The holiday light tour takes place on Tuesday, December 16, 2014 from 7:00pm to 8:15 pm. Reservations are available by calling CASI at 563-386-7477. Guests are encouraged to sign-up by Thursday, December 10th 2015.

"Many thanks to all of our sponsors that help us bring this tour together each year," said Teresa Garrison, CASI's Director of Operations. "It's a highlight for many of our seniors and they truly enjoy it."

Transportation is generously provided by Durham School buses. This year's tour is made possible with the assistance of the Davenport Police Association and Union of Professional Police members, Kwik Star, Mid-American Energy and PLUS 60.

CASI is a non-profit community service organization with a more than 40 years history of providing activities, programs and services aimed at keeping older adults at home,
independent, safe and connected to the community. For more information about CASI, visit www.CASISeniors.org.

Davenport, Iowa - We like it when you can't keep a secret . . . and this is a secret we must share.   The growing needs of many seniors throughout the Quad City area is growing.  And with the upcoming holiday season, many older adults spend the holidays alone, in their homes with little to no friend or family support.

It's estimated that more than 50% of adults report feeling lonely during the holiday season.  This feeling can be intensified for older adults who have lost loved ones over the years.  Many seniors report not leaving their homes and not receiving any visitors or gifts during the holiday season.

At The Center for Active Seniors, Inc. (CASI), we see many older adults whose gift list consists of everyday household and personal care items such as laundry soap, socks, pajamas or new under garments. They are not looking for extravagant gifts costing hundreds of dollars. They are hoping for items of everyday comfort and care as well as the warm feelings brought by spending time with those who care for them.

We need your help.  In partnership with Quad City area Walgreens, CASI, Milestones Area Agency on Aging, Western Illinois Area on Aging and Alternatives for the Older Adult are working together to ensure that older adults are not forgotten this holiday season.

Thanks to Walgreens, it is easy to be a part of the gift giving program.  While at any Quad City area Walgreens store, simply pick-up a scannable tag at the check-out and tell the clerk the amount of money you'd like to donate.  Funds raised through the Senior Secret Santa program will be used to purchase gifts and provide services for seniors during the holidays and throughout the year. Scannable tags are available for purchase now through November 15th at any of the Quad Cities area Walgreens stores.

It's simple. Visit your local Walgreen's store, and help a senior in need this holiday season.

To be eligible for the Senior Secret Santa program, persons must 60+ years old and would otherwise not have a Christmas if not for this program.  Household annual must be less than $23,000 for a single person or, if married, less than $26,000.   Recipients must be a current
client of CASI, Milestones Area Agency on Aging, Western Illinois Area on Aging or Alternatives for the Older Adult.

For more information, please call CASI-The Center for Active Seniors at 563.386.7477.

Davenport, Iowa - In 2008, Lenora sent a letter thanking someone named "Kate" from CASI, the Center for Active Seniors in Davenport. Kate had given a gift and a card to Lenora. At 89 years old, she didn't receive too many visitors, let alone Christmas Gifts. In fact, it was the ONLY Christmas gift she had received.

Just think, a small act of kindness by Kate, recognized by Lenora, was the impetus for CASI's Holiday Hat Bash, the Party with a Purpose. 

Join us for the 7th Annual Holiday Hat Bash presented by Ruhl and Ruhl Realtors on Thursday, November 12th at 5:30pm. Hat Bash will once again help to make the holidays special for Quad Cities Seniors by purchasing gifts for those who may be forgotten. In 2014, more than $40,000 was raised and while Hats and haberdashery are strongly encouraged, they of course remain optional. Tickets are $30 each until October 31st and increase to $40 November 1st until the day of the event on November 12th.

Chefs from the Quad Cities premier senior living facilities and other local eateries will prepare fabulous food and decadent desserts. Area businesses will compete for the coveted Golden Goblet award as the best bar tending team. The evening culminates when tips are tallied to award the best bartenders and Golden Spoon to the best chef as determined by patrons at the event. Of course, Hat

Bash continues to offer great silent auction and raffle prizes, the ever popular Hat Contest, Necker's Diamond Derby, a new Man Cave complete with a Cigar Pull and get a jump on your holiday shopping in the new Hat Bash Bling Store.

So, grab your hat. Gather your friends and join us at the 2015 Holiday Hat Bash at CASI - The Center for Active Seniors, located at 1035 West Kimberly Road in Davenport, Iowa. 

Can't attend? Donations are gratefully accepted and may be sent to: CASI 1035 W. Kimberly Road, Davenport, IA 52806. If further questions, please call (563) 386-7477 or visit www.hatbash.com. 

CASI - The Center for Active Seniors Facts 

? CASI - The Center For Active Seniors, Inc., established in 1973, serves the needs of  older adults by providing a variety of events and daily activities keeping older Quad Citians socially, mentally and physically engaged. 

? As 10,000 baby boomers turn age 65 every day, "senior citizen" is being redefined as is the senior lifestyle. CASI's multi -pronged approach to helping older adults age successfully includes health and wellness initiatives, social engagement opportunities, lifelong learning and volunteer opportunities to keep the older adult active and involved with our Quad Cities community. 

? CASI's Jane's Place, the only adult day services center in Eastern Iowa, provides a comfortable, homelike atmosphere for adults who need supervised care during the day due to stroke recovery, Alzheimer's, dementia and or companionship. Jane's Place provides just the right amount of personal care allowing maximum independence while at Jane's Place Day Service Center. 

? Open Monday through Friday, from 7am to 4:30pm, Jane's Place is located on the south-side of CASI, 1035 West Kimberly Road, Davenport, IA 52806. 

? Senior Advocacy programs at CASI help older adults, their families, and caregivers with needs assessment helping partner them with other area agencies and programs keeping them in their own home for as long as is safely possible. CASI's Senior Advocacy professionals help throughout the community including our newest office located inside the Scott County Administration Center. 

? For more information about the programs and services offered through CASI, Jane's Place and/or Senior Advocacy, visit www.CASISeniors.org or call 
563.386.7477.

Davenport, IA - When Rita and her brother realized their mother could no longer live at home safely; they struggled wondering how they would care for her while juggling their own family and job responsibilities.  Knowing how important it was for her to stay a part of her community without having to move into an assisted living center, they looked to CASI's Jane's Place.  The only Adult Day Service Center in the Iowa Quad Cities, Jane's Place gave Rita's mother a sense of belonging and purpose keeping her safe while they continued to work.

"Without Jane's Place, we simply could not have had Mom move in with us while we continued to work," said Rita P, a Jane's Place Family.  "Each time she went to Jane's Place, she would enter, turn around and wave with a big smile.  We knew we had found the right place at the right time for our mom," she added.

According to the Alzheimer's Association, every 60 seconds, someone in the United States is diagnosed with Alzheimer's, and one in three adults living with it will die from the disease.  Staggering statistics.  Yet, thousands of Quad City families deal with the challenge of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's each and every day.  Living well into the future - The Power of Adult Day Services will commence the week of September 14^th honoring, recognizing and celebrating Adult Day Services around the country. Jane's Place Adult Day Services Center at CASI will host special events including an informational Open House Tuesday, September 15, from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Jane's Place, Eastern Iowa's only adult day service center provides care to those with early-age and on-set Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.  Jane's Place serves older adults dealing with memory loss, confusion, effects from stroke and disabilities, as well as those who may need socialization or simply cannot be left home alone during the day.  Located at The Center for Active Seniors, Jane's Place provides a low-cost alternative to a nursing home or assisted living facility.  Offering a secure, structured home-like environment, Jane's Place encourages fun interaction through social and therapeutic group activities.

Living with Alzheimer's

Nearly 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's including 13% of Iowa adults age 65 and older.  "Feeling overwhelmed and as if they have few options, family members and caregivers often believe their only choice is to place their loved one in a nursing home," said Laura Kopp, CASI's CEO/President. "Adult day services are a cost effective alternative for older adults who cannot be left home alone while providing respite to caregivers who may still be working or simply need a break from their responsibilities," added Kopp.

According Genworth, a Fortune 500 Insurance company, the average care in an Iowa nursing home is just over $5300 per month compared to just $1300 at an adult day service center like Jane's Place.

The need for adult day services was first recognized by President Ronald Reagan on September 27, 1983 when he signed Proclamation 5107, recognizing the third week of September as National Adult Day Care Week, calling upon "every American community to consider the value of adult day care centers and to give appropriate recognition to centers offering these important services."   In 2004, former President Regan died from complications associated with Alzheimer's.

"Thank goodness for Jane's Place.  They always treated our mom with respect and kindness," said Rita P. "When asked how her day was each time we picked her up, mom would always respond 'It was a good day.  They're always good at Jane's Place'."