A new year brings a chance for new beginnings and refocusing our purpose. For me, this is an opportunity to lead our agency in designing a local service delivery system for older adults to age well. While this is deeply challenging in the face of Federal and State resources not keeping pace with the growing needs, as an Area Agency on Aging, we plan to meet these challenges by building our capacity through partnerships, program expansion and leadership. We are committed to expanding our capacity to meet the increasing need this demographic shift will bring for home and community-based services (HCBS) that provide financial, health and social supports so older adults and their caregivers can stay independent and engaged in their community. We hope you will partner with us in our advocacy to encourage age-friendly communities throughout our eight county region.
-Marla Fronczak
Executive Director
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| Meet Our New Executive Director |
Marla Fronczak began her new position as the Executive Director of the Northeastern Illinois Area Agency on Aging on October 1, 2017, upon the retirement of the former director, Lucia West Jones.
Ms. Fronczak, of Campton Hills, joined the agency's staff in 2010 and for the l
ast three years has managed the Community Planning Division. She had previously been a Long Term Care Ombudsman for the DuPage County Department of Community Services and is certified as an Adult Protective Services Caseworker by the Illinois Department on Aging. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Illinois University and a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management from Spertus Institute. As Planning Manager, Ms. Fronczak has been responsible for developing and implementing the agency's Area Plan, coordinating and overseeing the network of agencies that provide senior services through the eight-county service area, and managing services that the agency provides directly.
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| We Celebrated America & Scored Big in 2017! |
-Kaitie Mayberry Hauser
Special Events Manager
This year we "Celebrated America!" at the 22nd Annual Senior Lifestyle Expo at the Drury Lane Conference Center, in Oakbrook Terrace.
With a fun, patriotic theme and something for everyone, attendees enjoyed entertainment, games and attractions; educational seminars for seniors and caregivers; health and wellness events and screenings; and the largest gathering of exhibitors in the area providing information on products and services specific to older adults.
This year's Expo was sponsored by AARP, Humana, Remodel Direct, ComEd, Alternatives for Seniors, and Senior News 50 and Better.
The Expo featured two popular competitions that showcased talented seniors - the Senior Idol competition and the Writing Challenge.
There was also a Senior Food Drive held in cooperation with the Comfort Keepers Nourish Senior Life initiative.
In conjunction with the Senior Lifestyle Expo, the Northeastern Illinois Agency on Aging was pleased to host a FREE Caregiver event for those giving care and support to those in need. This year's seminar presented a special screening of the award winning documentary,
ALIVE INSIDE, with a follow up discussion led by Dan Kuhn, LCSW from All Trust Home Care. Over 100 people attended the evening, and it truly was a wonderful and educational seminar.
This event was made possible through the National Family Caregiver Support Program authorized under the Older Americans Act.
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On Sunday November 5, 2017 we rallied together and geared up to " Score Big against Hunger!". With an energetic sports theme, incredible food and drink from our talented chefs and generous supporters, emcee Andy Avalos of NBC5, and over 500 guests came together for the 26th time with the goal of supporting our at risk seniors! Together we raised over $95,000...GO TEAM!
Since its inception, this program has provided over 440,000 meals. We are incredibly grateful to all of the chefs, businesses, sponsors, supporters and volunteers that have given so generously of their talent, time, energy and resources over these many years to support the growth of the event as it sought to meet the growing needs of our seniors.
Here's to many more!
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Dementia Grant Awarded to the Agency
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-Colette Jordan,
Community Planner/Caregiver Support
As awareness of dementia grows
, the Northeastern Illinois Area Agency on Aging and local stakeholders are taking action to create dementia-friendly communities. Every part of the community has a unique role in meaningfully supporting people with dementia and their family and friend care partners.
Made possible through the Alzheimer's Disease Supportive Services Program (ADSSP) grant funded through the Illinois Department on Aging by an Administration for Community Living grant, this program engages individuals in the dementia-friendly movement and fosters the Dementia-Friendly America goals by raising awareness and reducing stigma, encouraging the adoption of dementia-friendly practices, and raising awareness through training and education on how to effectively interact with people living with dementia.
The Northeastern Illinois Area Agency on Aging is partnering with local stakeholders to create dementia friendly communities in North Chicago/Lake County and Kankakee County. The initiative will focus on:
- Engaging community stakeholders to create Dementia- Friendly Communities Click to view
- Conducting community based trainings on how to support persons with dementia and their caregivers Click to view
On December 15, 2017, North Chicago stakeholders held their first dementia-friendly community meeting, and it was a huge success. We are excited to keep the dementia-friendly momentum going! Click to view
As part of Dementia-Friendly Illinois, we are encouraging people to become a Dementia Friend. It only takes 10 minutes online. Please sign up and encourage people in your networks to do the same.
Dementia Friends encourages each person to think about how they can support this movement.
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Take Charge of Your Health!
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-Donna Copeland Hill
Community Planner/Health Promotion
The Northeastern Illinois Area Agency on Aging is continually "Working Harder to Make Aging Easier", and the area of health and wellness is no exception. The Agency on Aging offers the Take Charge of Your Health suite of workshops designed to empower you to manage your health, improve your life and have fun doing it.
What is Take Charge of Your Health, Take Charge of Your Diabetes and Tomando Control de Su Salud? Each workshop includes activities to engage participants through their thoughts, feelings and actions and to view their ongoing health conditions from a new perspective. This new view enables participants to make small, achievable step-by-step changes to take control of their situation.
What do the sessions contain? You will learn from facilitators and your peers who have experience with ongoing health conditions such as high blood pressure, arthritis, depression, diabetes and more. You will learn problem-solving strategies to help cope with pain, fatigue and frustration, as well as ways to communicate with your family, friends, and healthcare providers. You will learn to set your own goals and make a step-by-step plan to improve your health and your life.
The Agency on Aging offers the Take Charge of Your Health suite of workshops across the region through our partnering organizations in the community. Agency staff lead workshops and train others to facilitate them. Ready to join us?
Take Charge of Your Health:
Kankakee:
February 6, 13, 20, 27 & March 6, 13.
Tuesdays, (1:00 - 3:30 p.m.)
Contact Susan Chisauski, 815-932-1921
Lincolnshire:
February 7, 14, 21, 28 & March 7, 14.
Wednesdays, (9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m)
Contact Beth Herchenbach, 847-634-6060
Elgin: Tomando Control de Su Salud
(Take Charge of Your Health in Spanish):
February 20, 27 & March 6, 13, 20, 27.
Tuesdays, (12:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.)
Contact Minnie Vasquez, 847-741-0404
For future workshops in your area please contact the Area Agency on Aging,
Donna Copeland Hill or Ginnie Moore 630-293-5990
Something to think on...
80%of older persons have at least one chronic condition and 68% have at least two -Read More
Chronic illnesses affect more than 6.7 million Illinoisans - over half of its population -Read More
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IL Area Agency on Aging directors
SUPPORTING OLDER ADULTS IS REWARDING!
#ILOlderAdults
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It's NEVER too early to start planning for tomorrow!
SAVE THE DATES!
08.21.2018
&
08.22.2018
22nd Annual
Senior Lifestyle Expo
"Discover the Sweeter Side of Aging"
11.4.2018
27th Annual
HMOW Celebrity Chefs Brunch
For more information, contact Kaitie or Sue
630.293.5990
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WINTER
It's Time to Prepare for Winter Weather!
"Every year, Illinois averages at least five major winter storms that impact millions of people. The best time to prepare for winter's snow, cold and ice is before such weather hits. Being prepared for winter doesn't have
to cost a lot of money or take a lot of time. It could be as simple as making sure your vehicle is in good winter driving condition, adding a winter survival kit to your car, changing your furnace filter and stocking or updating a home emergency supply kit.
Preparing for winter also means adjusting your driving habits. Snowy or ice-coated roads and reduced visibility due to fog or blowing snow result in thousands of motor vehicle crashes in Illinois every year. Many of these can be avoided by simply slowing down on city streets, rural roads and highways. Recent traffic studies have shown that many times, minor accumulations of snow or ice on roads can be just as dangerous for motorists as major snowstorms.
Use this Winter Weather Preparedness Guide, developed by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the
National Weather Service (NWS), to help you and your family prepare for and stay safe during winter weather. It includes information about winter travel safety guidelines, winter weather terminology and tips on how to prepare your home and vehicle for winter storms. Take time now to prepare your family, home, vehicles and driving habits for everything from a dusting of snow to a major winter storm!"
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Chance to contribute your skills and experience.
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CURRENT VACANCIES
Board of Directors
Will & Lake
Advisory Council
Kankakee, McHenry & Will
Sound Interesting?
Contact Linda
630-293-5990
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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
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Copyright © 2017. All Rights Reserved.
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