The Aging Report

Falls Prevention Awareness Week is almost here! Falls are not a normal part of aging and should not be accepted as such. For 14 years now, the National Council on Aging (NCOA) has spearheaded National Falls Prevention Awareness Day to correspond with the first day of fall. It has now turned into a week with falls coalitions nationwide offering screenings, education and activities all meant to call attention to this expensive, pervasive, and often avoidable health dilemma.

AgeGuide offers in-person and virtual falls prevention programming regionally through townships, community centers and other local agencies. Falls prevention-specific programming such as A Matter of Balance, Bingocize, and Fit and Strong are offered year-round. These programs are valuable because inactivity is a huge contributor to falls, right up there with medication reactions and interactions.

September’s dual celebrations focus on health and connections as we commemorate both Healthy Aging Month and Senior Center Month. With a focus on mind and body wellness, these observances will set us up for a healthy autumn season. 

Healthy Aging Month, which focuses on the positive aspects of the aging journey, promotes taking charge of our well-being both physically and mentally.

Senior centers offer a variety of experiences to support those critical social linkages. This year, National Senior Center Month celebrates the power of social and emotional wellness with the theme, “Strengthening Community Connections.” By strengthening social interaction and empowering older adults to holistically age well, senior centers make mind, body, spirit, and community connections. 

Tuesday, September 21st is World Alzheimer’s Day, a day in which organizations and people around the globe concentrate their efforts to focus on raising awareness for Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias. Dementia is a general term for loss of memory and cognitive abilities, with Alzheimer’s Disease being the most common form of dementia. In 2020, as many as 5.8 million Americans were living with Alzheimer’s.

To honor this day, AgeGuide will be participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday, September 24 at Pottawatomie Park, 8 North Ave, St Charles, IL. 60174. Held annually by the Alzheimer’s Association, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness as well as funds for care, support, and research of this disease. We encourage everyone to walk with AgeGuide or to even just walk in your neighborhood in observance of this day.

It’s ironic that as Halloween approaches, election season is ramping up. Just like trick-or-treaters, our legislators are going door-to-door and marching in parades. What this means is that there is very little time left for passing legislation in this Congress. In terms of Federal appropriations, House and Senate negotiations remain at a standstill as legislators wait to see what midterm elections will mean for the future control of Congress. While we’re not clairvoyant, it doesn’t take a crystal ball to guess that Congress is likely to pass a continuing resolution (CR) before October 1. 

AgeGuide would like to thank you for your advocacy throughout the year. Together we sent 389 letters to Congress in support of aging issues during FY22. But clearly our work is not done. We must continue to advocate for the investment we know is sorely needed.

We want to shine a light on the commitment and dedication of the more than 44 million family caregivers who take care of loved ones, providing 4.7 million dollars’ worth of care every year. A family caregiver is defined as an individual who cares for a loved one with a short-term or long-term disability or illness. Also known as an informal or unpaid caregiver, they provide invaluable care to those who need some degree of ongoing assistance with everyday tasks on a regular basis. While it can be rewarding, caregiving isn’t easy. AgeGuide is committed to supporting caregivers through supportive services like training, respite, and resources. Often, what caregivers really need to carry on with their role isn’t complicated or intensive. Sometimes it’s just something that fills in the gaps and creates a connection with the outside world.

In our newest episode, we shine a light on the Music and Memory program, a program that connects older adults with dementia to local high school students by sharing music from their era to help invoke memories and allow communication between older and younger generations. This unique music-focused program provides numerous benefits to participants and their caregivers. Listen in as our guest, a high school student, shares his experience of volunteering in the Music and Memory program, where he made a special connection with an older adult through music. Hear how this unique intergenerational program provides social connection, memory support, and respite for caregivers.  

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It's hard to stay up with the latest on COVID-19, Monkeypox and the upcoming flu season. Let us do the work for you! AgeGuide's Health Update provides up to date information that you need to know to stay informed. 

This month's update features new COVID-19 booster information, monkeypox vaccine information and advice on how to find a flu shot.

September is National Preparedness Month, an observance to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. This year's theme, A Lasting Legacy, reminds people that the life you've built is worth protecting. Prepare for disasters to create a lasting legacy for you and your family.

Build an emergency supply kit this #NationalPreparednessMonth! Consider unique needs of your family. Include supplies that might be needed by pets, older adults, and those with disabilities in the event of the emergency. Visit Ready.gov/kit for more information

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!