Change in seasons
brings changes to the AOA.... 


43rd Annual Meeting 

-Mimi Bajagich,
Special Events
 
The Northeastern Illinois Agency on Aging held its 43rd Annual Meeting on Friday, April 7, 2017 at Arrowhead Golf Club in Wheaton. After Board of Directors and Advisory Council elections and appointments, recognitions and staff anniversary presentations, guests enjoyed remarks from our Executive Director and featured speaker, Lucia West Jones.
 
"It Took a Lot to Get Here" was the title of her speech and Lucia walked the audience through the past several decades of progress and advancements, changes and challenges in the Illinois aging network. It was a wonderful and unique historical perspective from someone who has been such a significant and integral part of the Agency on Aging and its development over the past 30+ years. Lucia finished her talk by announcing her planned retirement at the end of September and was presented with flowers from the staff by Walter Meyers.       
 
The Annual Meeting was an extra special event this year which concluded with a delicious lunch prepared by one of our own Holiday Meals on Wheels Celebrity Chefs, Alan Pirhofer. We thank everyone who attended and all who support the work of the agency throughout the year!
 
We are always grateful for this yearly opportunity to come together and enjoy a day with those who support our seniors and our agency's mission!

Click to see photo gallery

Tell Us What You think!
-Marla Fronczak,
Community Planning Manager   
 
The Northeastern Illinois Agency on Aging is conducting two public hearings on May 31, 2017 discussing its proposed Fiscal Year 2018 amendments to the FY 2016-2018 Area Service Funding and Development Plan. The purpose of the public hearing is to provide an open forum for the general public to comment on proposed services, expenditures and other activities as outlined in the public information document.  
  
The U.S. Administration on Aging defines the mission of Area Agencies on Aging under the Older Americans Act as the leader relative to all aging issues on behalf of all older persons in the planning and service area. This means that the Area Agency shall proactively carry out, under the leadership and direction of the State agency (the Illinois Department on Aging), a wide range of functions related to advocacy, planning, coordination, inter-agency linkages, information sharing, brokering, monitoring, and evaluation, designed to lead to the development or enhancement of comprehensive and coordinated community-based systems in or serving each community in the planning and service area. These systems shall be designed to assist older persons in leading independent, meaningful, and dignified lives in their own homes and communities as long as possible.
  
By authorization of the Older Americans Act and in support of the mission purpose stated above, the Illinois Dept. on Aging provides funds from the Administration on Community Living in the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services to the Northeastern Illinois Area Agency on Aging. These funds are to be used in the eight-county planning and service area that includes DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties for the purposes described in the Public Information Document (PID).

Public Document FY18 

PUBLIC HEARING DATES:

DUPAGE, KANE, MCHENRY, LAKE
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
10:00 a.m.
The Agency on Aging Field Office
245 Roosevelt Road, Bldg. 6, Suites 41-43
West Chicago, IL 60185

GRUNDY, KANKAKEE, KENDALL, WILL
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
1:30 p.m.
Senior Services of Will County
251 N. Center Street
Joliet, IL  60435

 
Join the Fight to End Alzheimer's  
-Colette Jordan,
Community Planner/Caregiver Support

Each and every one of us is in some way affected by Alzheimer's disease and the statistics are staggering.

Did you know that in the U.S., someone develops Alzheimer's disease every 66 seconds and currently more than 5 million Americans are living with the disease? In 2016, 15.9 million American caregivers provided an estimated 18.2 billion hours of unpaid care valued at $230.1 billion!* Alzheimer's disease is a national and global epidemic. That's why we all need to do our part to battle this disease.

On the summer solstice, June 21st, you can team up with the Alzheimer's Association and select any activity you love - or an activity loved by those affected - to help end Alzheimer's. The Alzheimer's Association will raise funds and awareness for care and support while advancing research toward the first survivor of Alzheimer's.

Be a part of the movement to help end Alzheimer's disease. Host an event, share your photos, stories and fundraising successes on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and show your love across the world by using the hashtags #TheLongestDay and #ENDALZ.

Visit the Alzheimer's Association website Click Here to sign up and select an activity! Do something you love to honor a caregiver, someone living with Alzheimer's, or someone you've lost by choosing his or her favorite hobby. From knitting to scrap booking, you're limited only by your imagination. Also, check out this short video about The Longest Day and see what others are planning! Click Here
 
On a personal note, my mother suffered from Alzheimer's disease, and I was her caregiver for nearly three years before she passed away in 2007. My mother was an avid reader and would read (and share discussion) on everything she could get her hands on, especially if it related to spirituality. It was heartbreaking to watch this disease slowly rob mom of her passion- by stealing her ability to comprehend or share her infinite knowledge with others. This June 21st, my action plan for The Longest Day is to read a great book in honor of my mother! What will you be doing?
Senior Meals & Nutrition
-Ginnie Moore
Community Planner/Nutrition
 
Across the Northeastern Illinois Area Agency on Aging planning and service area, approximately 3,000 home-delivered meals are served each weekday. Along with a nutritious meal, clients receive the comfort of a well-being check and joy of a few moments of friendly conversation. Research shows home-delivered meals contribute to clients being able to remain independent in their own homes longer and have a better sense of well-being.

The Illinois State legislature recently appropriated additional state funds to expand delivery of meals to eligible home-bound seniors. Through this generous appropriation, waiting list have been eliminated or greatly reduced throughout the planning and service area.

To be eligible for a home-delivered meal, individuals must be a minimum of age 60, and be homebound due to illness, disability or otherwise isolated. In some cases, meals may also be available to the spouse, caregiver, or disabled individuals residing with an eligible client. Clients must be available to receive the meal mid-day during the scheduled delivery times. Meals served provide 1/3 of the nutritional needs of the average older adult. In some areas, optional meals may be available for individuals needing pureed foods or vegetarian diets. Donations to cover part of the cost of the meal are accepted, but not required.

If you, or someone you know, is interested in receiving home-delivered meals, please contact the care coordination unit or meal provider in your area (see list below). Medicaid Managed Care clients age 60 and over eligible for home-delivered meals should contact their care coordinator for a referral to the program. If you have any other questions or would like more information, please contact Ginnie Moore at the Northeastern Illinois Agency on Aging, gmoore@ageguide.org, 630/293-5990.

Click here for CCU & Nutrition site listings

Celebrate Older Americans Month 2017 

Happenings
Stay Connected
It's NEVER too early to start planning for tomorrow!

SAVE THE DATES! 

08.22.2017

&
08.23.2017
22nd Annual
Senior Lifestyle Expo
"Celebrate America!"

11.5.2017
26th Annual
HMOW Celebrity Chefs Brunch
"SCORE BIG Against Hunger!"

For more information, contact Kaitie

630.293.5990 

WEAAD
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Each year, on June 15th, the world comes together for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day to raise awareness about elder abuse. It is estimated that 5 million older Americans are victims of abuse, neglect and/or exploitation each year. This number does not account for all of the cases that go unreported.

 We encourage you and your organizations to recognize this day to help raise awareness and educate the public. As the older adult population grows worldwide, more and more effort will be needed to educate and intervene on behalf of vulnerable older adults.

A toolkit with event ideas, outreach materials, social media and power point templates can be found:  Click Here

If your organization decides to promote
WEAAD, please email a picture or information about your event to Lhurt@ageguide.org
We would like to highlight your agencies efforts on social media etc.


The Northeastern Illinois Agency on Aging was established in 1974. Services funded or coordinated by the Agency on Aging meet the diverse needs of the most rapidly growing population in Illinois. Over 634,000 seniors age 60 and over live in the agency's eight-county service area:

DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, Will Counties
Agency on Aging | 630-293-5990 | info@ageguide.org | http://www.ageguide.org
P.O. Box 809
Kankakee, IL 60901-0809