The Aging Report

What do tax credits, Bingo, samosas and seated leg lifts have in common?  

All these things and more were front and center at the legislative site visits hosted by AgeGuide funded partners over the past month. These visits brought older adults and elected officials together to discuss and share issues affecting seniors and they even had time to laugh and have some fun! A great time was had by all as legislators experienced the benefits of aging services first-hand. 

In honor of Older Americans Month, AgeGuide and its funded partners hosted three different legislator site visits in DuPage, Kane, and McHenry Counties. With campaigning season in full swing, these community events provided our legislators with the opportunity to interact directly with older adult constituents and observe Older Americans Act (OAA) programs and services in action. Elected officials were able to see how federal and state funding is used to implement evidence-based health promotion and social programs while enjoying a meet and greet with older adults in the community.  

AgeGuide would like to sincerely thank all the legislators and staffers who attended the site visits. In addition, we are grateful to each of our funded partners who hosted the site visits. It was wonderful to highlight the extraordinary work you do to enhance the quality of life for older adults. 

According to UC Davis, wellness is “caring for your mind, body, and soul.” Social wellness is just as important to our health and well-being. Healthy relationships and positive connections with others allows for giving and receiving social support, protecting our mental health. Each of these aspects of our wellness are interconnected.

There are many ways we can develop and nurture our social health by building and maintaining connections with others and our community! Programs are available through AgeGuide and our local partners that promote engagement and increase social connections for older adults and caregivers.

Over the years you probably heard the word “Podcast” from close friends, relatives, television, or articles. This article will give you a 101-crash course on where podcasts came from, how they got so popular and why this might be a great step into the world of technology. 

AgeGuide has it’s own podcast! In our most recent episode, we interviewed Lucy Powell who was a caregiver for her husband who passed away in Long Term Care during the COVID-19 lockdowns. We hope that telling her story will help shine a light on the needs of long term care residents.  

July is nationally designated as Minority Health Awareness Month, also known as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color) Mental Health Month. This formally recognized month was established in June of 2008 in order to bring awareness to the unique struggles that Blacks, Indigenous People and People of Color face regarding mental wellness.  

As summer heats up it’s a great time to sit in the shade, kick your shoes off, turn up the air conditioning, or drink lemonade by the pool. But it’s also a great time to get busy doing what only you – AgeGuide’s aging advocates – can do, and that’s reach out to those who represent you in the US Congress. This year your advocacy is especially critical as we address the ongoing and growing need for innovative and essential services because of the pandemic. Since it’s an election year and there are new district maps, you better believe your legislators want to hear from you in their home turf. 

Do you need a vaccine or booster against COVID-19? Do you know someone who is homebound who needs a vaccine? AgeGuide is here to help. Call us at (800) 528-2000 for more information.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network will be easier than ever to reach starting July 16, 2022. The new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the Lifeline is 988. Get help from trained counselors by phone, text, or chat by using 988. Lifeline is a free resource and available 24/7. It is fully accessible to all users, including people with disabilities and older adults. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at (800) 273-8255.

Do you want to learn how to use a smartphone, tablet or computer? Our FREE Digital Literacy Classes, in collaboration with Mather, will help older adults learn different ways to use their tech devices. This FREE program begins soon, register by calling Sarah at (888) 600-2560 or contact@mather.com. Learn more at ageguide.org/digital-inclusion-programs.

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!

27th Annual Senior Lifestyle Expo

August 23 & 24, 2022

We are excited to welcome back older adults to this two-day event at Drury Lane!

For more information, contact Kaitie Hauser at (630) 293-5990 or visit www.ageguide.org/seniorlifestyleexpo