Rockford, IL October 27, 2021—Satori Pathway LLC, the area’s leading healthcare consulting organization dedicated to helping older adults with dementia, behavioral health and aging in place issues, has earned the American Planning Association’s 2021 Best Practice Award for Illinois at their annual conference held in Normal.
The award was made to recognize Satori’s contributions in developing the City of Woodstock’s Age-Friendly Action Plan, designed in collaboration with NIU’s Center for Governmental Studies. The 50-page document identified, and prioritized community needs and desires in areas such as housing, transportation, recreation and social engagement for the growing demographic of residents over age 60. Woodstock’s Action Plan was immediately effective in realizing its top priority by establishing a partnership with Dorr Township to staff, furnish and program a drop-in community center for older adults, SOAR (Serving Older Adult Residents) @Dorr.
The project was funded by a Transformational Grant from The Community Foundation for McHenry County and resulted in Woodstock being designated an Age-Friendly Livable Community by AARP, a standard of municipal planning achieved by 10 Illinois communities and 580 cities and states nationwide.
“Understanding and responding to the needs of older adults has always been the driving force behind Satori Pathway’s role in the Rockford community,” stated Stu Gaines, Satori’s co-owner and CFO. “Working with NIU’s Center for Governmental Studies and the City of Woodstock emphasized the importance of engaging community leaders and showing them how best to serve this rapidly increasing portion of their population.” Gaines’ CPA/MBA background includes Board Chair roles with the Area Agency on Aging for northeastern Florida, and Board Chair for Alzheimer’s Association of Florida and Alzheimer’s Association of Illinois. Satori (a Japanese term for “enlightenment”) Pathway is co-owned by CEO Bernice Marinelli, RN/BSN, founder of Anam Care, Inc. and an area expert in lifestyle accommodations for aging individuals. For more information, contact sgaines@satoripathway.org. ###