It’s not easy constructing the world’s largest puzzle.

Just ask Theresa Jurek and other seniors at the Victory Centre of Bartlett who are putting together the “World’s Largest Jigsaw Puzzle.”

“We started with the tiger and moon first — and if we got tired of one part, we’d just go to the next,” Jurek said, pointing to the puzzle.

Together, Jurek and other seniors put together half of the 6,000 piece puzzle — and are anxious to finish it in time. In April, the Victory Centre will combine the puzzle with other segments completed by three other senior communities in Illinois to present the finished product to Gov. Rod Blagojevich in Springfield.

While the 24,000-piece jigsaw isn’t really the world’s largest puzzle, it aims to honor the growing number of senior living communities in the state. For this reason, the puzzle is symbolic, said Rita Lopienski, regional director of community life for Pathway Senior Living.

“Not everyone knows there is affordable housing at these places,” Lopienski said. “That’s our missing piece.”

The state’s supportive living program recognizes finding affordable senior housing can be as difficult as putting together a puzzle — but it is getting easier.

It’s getting easier for residents working on the puzzle, too.

“When I first came by I wanted nothing to do with it,” Jurek said. “Now I’m drawn to it — I have to come.”

Jurek has become a regular at the table in the front room of the Victory Centre, along with a handful of other seniors. She works on the puzzle for about three hours a day, until her eyes get tired.

Many seniors enjoy working on the puzzle because it keeps their minds occupied and helps pass the time. There are even studies that prove jigsaw and crossword puzzles lead to the prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease, Lopienski said.

Since the puzzle began last month, various seniors, staff and high school students on spring break have all pitched in.

Shanika Franklin, who works in the Victory Centre’s kitchen, comes to puzzle in between meals. Franklin, who helped finished the tiger on the puzzle, said it is exciting when they finish a section together. 

“It’s a great way to interact with residents because everything we do here is teamwork,” Franklin said.

The puzzling seniors reside at Quincy Supportive Living for Seniors, 639 York St., Quincy; Cambridge House of Maryville, 6960 State Route 162, Maryville; Brookstone Estates, 146 Brookstone Lane, Paris; and Victory Centre of Bartlett, 1101 W. Bartlett Road, Bartlett.

The public is invited to help piece together the puzzle. For more information, call Lopienski at (630) 213-0100.