April 2019
A Letter from Diane Slezak, AgeOptions CEO
 
Diane Slezak


It is hard to believe that April marks my six-month anniversary as CEO and president of AgeOptions. There have been so many changes over the past months and weeks.





Introducing Avisery by AgeOptions 
 
Avisery by AgeOptions is a new statewide program that enables financial advisors and representatives of insurance companies, hospitals and health care providers to better help their clients make informed decisions on health care coverage that allows them to thrive as they age.

AgeOptions introduced Avisery earlier this year. It provides new tools and support to professionals who serve older adults and people with disabilities.

Open House Shows Off New AgeOptions Space
And Welcomes Diane Slezak as CEO

Brad Winick, AgeOptions Board Chair, assists Diane Slezak with ribbon cutting.
More than 80 guests visited AgeOptions on Friday, March 22, to officially welcome Diane Slezak as president and chief executive officer and to tour our expanded and redesigned offices. The guests included members of the AgeOptions Board of Directors and Advisory Council, representatives of our funded agencies and corporate sponsors, donors, staff and other friends of the Agency.

New Members Join AgeOptions Board of Directors


Three of the new Board members, from left: Miriam Mobley-Smith, Rose Canonaco,  Soo Lee

The AgeOptions Board of Directors has welcomed four new members:
Rose Canonaco , SPHR, vice president of Human Resources, Planmeca;

Soo Lee, Of Counsel Attorney, Mauck & Baker, LLC;

Miriam Mobley-Smith, PharmD, health care education consultant;

Jeffery Waddy, DrPHc, MCHES, dean, South Suburban College.
Age Wave Study Shows Growing 
Older Adult Population


AgeOptions recently engaged Rob Paral of Rob Paral & Associates to prepare a demographic study of the older adult population in suburban Cook County. The report, which uses the term "Age Wave" to describe the growth of this population, shows the current population and percentage of seniors and projects both overall growth and changes in age distribution within the older adult demographic.

 
AgeOptions Provides Information on 
Resources and Fraud Prevention 
To Spanish-Speaking Residents



Armando makes regular presentations at the Mexican Consulate.
Once a month, Jesus Armando Enriquez, Outreach and Information Specialist at AgeOptions, speaks to a large crowd at the Consulate General of Mexico in Chicago. He also visits other communities with the Mexican Consulate on Wheels and makes presentations to Spanish-speakers at the Centro de Información in Elgin.

 Read More 
 
AgeOptions Spearheads Legislative
Collaboration Initiative 


AgeOptions is spearheading an initiative to collaborate with Illinois federal legislators and encourage their support for issues affecting older adults, including reauthorization of the Older Americans Act, food insecurity, access to healthy food and social isolation, among others.  The initiative suggests that agencies serving older adults to invite their legislators to visit and see what their programs are like at the grassroots level. 
 Read More 
Nominate Your Outstanding Volunteers 
For AgeOptions' 44th Annual Recognition


AgeOptions recognizes outstanding volunteers from throughout the Chicagoland area at the annual luncheon.
V olunteers who contribute their time and talents to improving the quality of life for older adults will be honored at AgeOptions' 44th annual recognition luncheon on June 13. Agencies and communities throughout the Chicagoland area are invited to nominate their outstanding volunteers.
 
Nominations are due by May 16.


Exclusive Sponsorship Opportunity!


You are invited to become the exclusive sponsor of the 44th annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon. The luncheon is a signature AgeOptions event to honor volunteers at organizations that serve older adults and will take place June 13 at the William Tell Holiday Inn in Countryside. 

Paula Basta Named Director of 
Illinois Department on Aging


Paula Basta

AgeOptions welcomes Paula Basta to her new position a director of the Illinois Department on Aging (IDOA). She is the 13th director and seventh woman to lead the agency.

SAVE THE DATE!
OCTOBER 3, 2019 

JOIN US AS A SPONSOR!

Celebrating Connections, the 15th annual AgeOptions networking reception and silent auction will be October 3 from 6 to 9 pm in the Crystal Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Chicago.
 
We invite you to become a sponsor of the event, which attracts more than 350 guests who share a vision of "people thriving as they age." Your sponsorship is a great way to:
  • Increase your company's visibility
  • Attract new customers
  • Demonstrate community support and a commitment to giving back
 
With a festive, elegant atmosphere for networking, plus dinner and a silent auction, this is the "opportunity of the year" to connect with people who make a difference, provide leadership and contribute to the independence and health of those we serve.
 
For sponsorship levels and information, advertising opportunities and tickets, please contact Vera Lewis at vera.lewis@ageoptions.org or (708)383-0258.


May Is Older Americans Month


Connect, Create, Contribute is the theme of this year's Older Americans Month. Each May OAM draws attention to older adults and their contributions to our communities. Led by the Administration for Community Living, OAM provides resources to help older Americans stay healthy and independent and to help communities support and celebrate their diversity.
 
For 56 years, Older Americans Month has recognized the positive impact older adults have on their communities. As volunteers, employees, employers, educators, mentors, advocates and more, this growing population offers insight and experience that benefit the entire community.
 
This year's OAM theme, Connect, Create, Contribute, encourages older adults and their communities to:
Connect with friends, family and local services and resources.
Create through activities that promote learning, health, and personal enrichment.
Contribute time, talent, and life experience to benefit others.
 
As this annual celebration of older adults points out, communities that support and recognize older adults are stronger! At AgeOptions, we're committed to ensuring that people have access to the resources that make it possible for them to thrive as they age. Join us in recognizing the strength, diversity and contributions of older adults in May and throughout the year.