Senior Star at Weber Place Hosts International TV Journalist Barry Petersen Who Shares Heartwarming Story on the Loss of His Wife to Alzheimer's at Age 63

ROMEOVILLE, IL (September 17, 2014) – Senior Star at Weber Place cordially invites its Romeoville neighbors and friends for a lunch and special presentation by CBS News correspondent Barry Petersen on Friday, October 3 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 605 South Edward Drive, Romeoville. He will share his experiences with his wife, Jan Chorlton, from the time her memory changed at age 40 until doctors officially diagnosed her with Alzheimer’s at age 55 to her death in May 2013 at age 63.

Petersen cared for his wife while still building a notable resume at CBS News. In a career spanning more than three decades, he has reported on everything from wars and natural disasters to Paris fashions and the return of American Jazz to Shanghai, China. His stories have been datelined from virtually every continent.

Chorlton also worked as a TV journalist early in her career, traveling the world to cover the news. While Petersen worked as an award-winning correspondent for CBS, Chorlton reported for CNN, ABC and CBS Sunday Morning.

Petersen has chronicled Alzheimer’s grip on America including a first-hand report with a professor of neurology and psychiatry at New York University’s Langone Medical Center. However, his most riveting report was his CBS Sunday Morning story, first airing June 20, 2010, which focused on Chorlton living full-time at an assisted living community in Denver. The story earned a national 2011 Edward R. Murrow Award and was nominated for a 2011 Emmy Award. Petersen also wrote a book, Jan’s Story (Behler), describing life and loss the couple endured during their Alzheimer’s journey.

Among Senior Star’s 13 retirement communities in the United States, five provide memory support including Senior Star at Weber Place. With unique and careful assessments and innovative care, Senior Star associates work with Alzheimer’s residents to bring a sense of fulfillment to their lives by focusing on what they can do instead of what they have lost the ability to do. Every day, Senior Star’s caring associates work with residents and their families to help everyone through the Alzheimer’s journey.

Bringing in speakers like Petersen is just one of many ways Senior Star helps further educate the public on the effects Alzheimer’s has on families and loved ones, knowing that no one is alone on this journey. Petersen continues to speak nationally about his experience with Alzheimer’s disease.

The first 25 people who RSVP to this October 3 event will receive a signed copy of Petersen’s book, Jan’s Story. To reserve a space at this special presentation, please call Senior Star at Weber Place no later than October 2 at 815.676.5776.

To request a tour of Senior Star at Weber Place and their innovative memory support community, call 815.676.5776. They will be happy to answer your questions and give you a personalized tour.

About Senior Star at Weber Place

Senior Star at Weber Place, a Senior Star community, features 346 modernly decorated apartments spanning across 29 acres of beautifully landscaped property with many customized amenities to offer its residents in three distinctive living experiences: independent living, assisted living and memory care. For more information, visit www.seniorstar.com.

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