The Aging Report

As many of us look forward to gathering with friends and family this season, a surprising number of us find this season to be challenging. Some people are alone during the holidays or feel especially depressed this time of year. Finding ways to stay busy and connected is essential to our well-being. This is important for everyone, especially older adults. Join AgeGuide and Make Room at The Table in sharing these tips to help make the holidays a positive time.

Calling all Caregivers! The Stress Busting Program (SBP) for Family Caregivers is a comprehensive 9-week support group offering both education and stress management tools. Make a resolution to take care of yourself as you support your loved one in the new year! 

Where?

• Online and In-Person!
• In-Person Location:
• Downers Grove Township Center
• Address: 4341 Saratoga Ave., Downers Grove, IL 60515
• Online:
• Please call (630) 719-6670 or at humanservices@dgtownship.com to register

When?

• Mondays from 10-11:30am
• Beginning January 23 to March 27, 2023
• No session on February 20, 2023

Next month, on January 17, AgeGuide will host its annual Legislative Aid Kick-Off for all of the legislative aides and staffers in the Northeastern Illinois region. While connecting with legislators is critical to our advocacy work, we recognize the importance of building relationships with the other most important people at the table; the aides. 

Christmas and New Years are right around the corner! Families will gather around dinner tables, with older, more vulnerable people sitting beside their younger relatives. To make sure families gather as safely as possible, it is important to make sure all your vaccinations are up-to-date!

This year, it is possible to receive your COVID-19 vaccine and the flu shot at the same time making it easy to stay vaccinated and healthy.

Need help finding a vaccine appointment or need transportation? Call AgeGuide at (800) 528-2000

In this series of our podcast, we want to shine a light on the commitment and dedication of more than 44 million family caregivers in the United States who provide personal assistance to loved ones with disabilities and other care needs. These caregivers, also known as informal or unpaid caregivers, make up 21% of the adult population today. Most also work full-time jobs in addition to their caring duties and 6 out of 10 report that caregiving has affected their ability to do their jobs. In fact, 15% have taken a leave of absence, and 14% have had to reduce work hours or change jobs as a result of their caregiving responsibilities. 

On Thursday December 1st, AgeGuide hosted a virtual caregiver seminar called, “The Caring Economy: Supporting Your Employees Who Care for Family”. The keynote speaker, Ellen Birchander, Director of the Gerontology Department at University of Massachusetts, talked about the importance of supporting employees who provide essential care for a loved one. We invited Ellen to join us for a one-on-one conversation before the seminar, to get her thoughts on why caregiving is so challenging in America today and how it affects all of us. 

Follow us on Instagram, YouTube and listen to our podcast on your favorite streaming platform. 

AgeGuide would like to wish you a safe and happy holiday season as well as a peaceful and healthy New Year! We hope that you are able to spend the holidays with friends, family, or other loved ones whether in-person or virtually. 

The AgeGuide office will be closed Monday, December 26th, Tuesday, December 27th, and Monday, January 2nd.



If you are in need of assistance while our office is closed, call the Illinois Department on Aging Helpline at (800) 252-8966 or visit our website at www.ageguide.org

Join USAging and the Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network on January 11 from 2:00-3:30 PM to hear about USAging’s new report on the role of AAAs and Title VI programs in serving kinship/grandfamilies. Register now to learn about kinship/grandfamily strengths and challenges and resources available to support attendees’ efforts in serving this population. 

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!