The Aging Report

AgeGuide Northeastern Illinois is hosting two virtual Advocacy Collaborative events this year across our eight-county region! We would like to invite elected officials, aging network providers, local partners, and concerned citizens for a discussion about current issues facing Illinois older adults, caregivers, and their families. This event is intended to provide our legislators with an update on AgeGuide’s legislative priorities for 2022. Join us for one or both sessions: 

The Longevity AGEnda – Engage. Empower. Advocate.

DuPage, Kane, Lake, & McHenry Counties: Monday, February 28 from 10-11:30 am

Grundy, Kankakee, Kendall, & Will Counties: Monday, March 7 from 10-11:30 am

Both sessions will be held virtually via ZOOM. A link to the event will be emailed to you after registering. Please feel free to share this event with friends, neighbors, and other colleagues. We hope to see you there!

Welcome to the Age Guide podcast highlighting perspectives on the aging journey. We are here to be your personal Age Guide and enhance your quality of life on the road ahead. This podcast is about putting a face on aging and giving a voice to older adults and caregivers by highlighting their experiences and stories. We want to provide a window into the struggles and joys of aging, to dispel myths and combat ageism.

The first in a series about the Long-Term Care crisis, this episode features an interview with Kathy, who was deeply involved in caring for her brother, Jack, while he was in a long-term care facility. This is the story of what happened during the COVID-19 lockdown. Kathy shares what she and Jack experienced, what she saw and couldn’t see, and what happened as a result. Kathy’s story is just one of the millions out there of families who faced separation during the COVID-19 lockdown. Hear what Kathy took away from the experience and how she is working to bring about change.

Lately, when we hear the word “breakthrough,” we’re usually talking about a COVID case but this year on February 2, when Governor Pritzker released his new budget proposal for FY 23, we had a truly exciting breakthrough. This one came in the form of a single line item in the state budget that signifies a hard-won policy victory for the aging network and the people we serve. The Illinois Area Agencies on Aging (I4A) have been working to fund the 2004 Illinois Caregiver Act to strengthen services to unpaid caregivers in Illinois. This year the state budget proposal finally includes $4 million to do just that.

In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson proclaimed February to be American Heart Month. Johnson himself suffered several heart attacks and knew first-hand the importance of heart health. In honor of Heart Month, the American Heart Association recommends three main strategies to keep your heart ticking and healthy for years to come: healthy eating, a healthy life style and fitness.

February is Senior Independence Month! As we grow older, even some of the simplest tasks can become challenging. It is our mission to provide resources and services for older adults to help them live independently in their communities and optimize their quality of life. We do this by creating innovative programming to foster creative thinking, providing services such as a hot meal every day to home-bound older adults and assisting older adults and their caregivers in finding the services they need to remain in their home and improve their quality of life.

Here are some helpful tips to help maintain independence at home

• Inspect Safety Features: Remember to replace light bulbs in the house. Also, installing grab bars in the bathroom and checking banisters on the stairs can help prevent falls.
• Embrace Technology: Having a security system in your home can bring great peace of mind. Also, having a cell phone easily accessible in emergencies can be very helpful. It not only will allow you to call for help but the flash light and emergency contact apps can make calling for help quick and easy. Be sure to add your favorite contacts to your speed dial or favorites.
• Declutter: Cleaning your home of clutter can not only help your mental health, but also help prevent falls by having clear walkways and arranging furniture to make it easily accessible.

AgeGuide has a variety of programs to help older adults remain independent, safe in their homes and connected to their communities. Contact us at (800) 528-2000 to learn more!

Do you or someone you know need assistance in preparing your 2021 taxes? Our blog post provides some helpful information and resources for filing your 2021 tax return. Federal and Illinois State tax returns are due on April 18, 2022. Read more on our blog!

Read about CMS' new guidance on long-term-care facility visitation allowing indoor visitation for all residents at all times.

Illinois Department on Aging’s Aging Healthfully Newsletter (Need another language? Click here and scroll to the bottom). The Aging Healthfully newsletter provides information on healthy eating, physical activity and lifestyle changes to help older adults stay healthy and active.

One of the most significant threats to aging Americans comes from within. Self-neglect – a type of self-inflicted abuse – is associated with illness, hospitalizations and premature death. Read this article from Next Avenue.

At AgeGuide, we love getting social! Stay up to date with the latest news, updates and learn more about AgeGuide and our work advocating for older adults and the services they need on our social media pages!