The Aging Report

As many of us look forward to gathering with friends and family this season, several people may 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. Make Room at The Table's annual Holiday Lists give various ways people can enjoy the holidays by themselves, as well as simple strategies to dish out helpings of festive connectivity for those engaged in solitary celebrations. 

On December 6th, AgeGuide hosted its annual Legislative Aide Kickoff 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 staffers, aides and anyone else who works face-to-face with older adults.

Our annual Aide Kickoff is one way that we build these critical relationships. This event has become an anticipated start to the new legislative session, for both new and seasoned aides, drawing legislative offices from across the region and sparking new relationships that lead to improved advocacy. 

There’s so much to look forward to every winter season. Socializing with friends, visiting loved ones, volunteering, and enjoying the arts are just a few of the things we all can look forward to. But the one thing no one ever looks forward to is a serious illness.

That’s why the Eldercare Locator’s 2023 Home for the Holidays campaign is focused on connecting older adults, caregivers, and families with information on vaccines and local resources that can help make getting vaccinated easy.  

In this episode, we recognize National Family Caregivers Month and continue our celebration of our 50th Anniversary theme of ‘The Great Re-Connection’ by talking about the unique needs of a very special group of older adults – those caring for children. Some are grandparents, some are aunts, uncles, or even unrelated friends, but they are all caregivers who have found themselves parenting children in their 60’s and beyond. These dedicated kinship caregivers are in need of connections to resources, support, and information.

On this episode we interviewed Brianne Hetman, CEO of Senior Services of Will County, about her work to support a comprehensive program that addresses the often complex and multi-faceted challenges of Relatives Raising Children. 

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 25th, Tuesday, December 26th, and Monday, January 1st.

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

From fresh baked goods to holiday greeting cards, warm knitted blankets to twinkling decorations, the holiday season is full of heartwarming details that can’t help but bring people together.

Whether you’re celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or New Years, there are plenty of fun, festive activities older adults can enjoy alongside their loved ones and caregivers. Here are 16 holiday activities for older adults, no matter their mobility level or cognitive ability. 

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