The Aging Report

Happy Older Americans Month! It’s time to acknowledge the contributions and achievements of older Americans, embrace our own aging, and strengthen our commitment to honoring our life experience and that of others. Established in 1963 and led by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Older Americans Month (OAM) is celebrated every May.



This year’s theme, Aging Unbound, offers an opportunity to explore a wide range of aging experiences and to promote the joy of independence and fulfillment as we pave our own paths on the aging journey.

AgeGuide Northeastern Illinois is holding two public hearings to review the FY2024 Amendment to the FY22-24 Area Plan.

The hearings will outline information on AgeGuide's priorities for community-based services and how state and federal funds will be used to provide those services.



AgeGuide encourages funded partners, elected officials, aging network professionals, and members of the public to attend and provide feedback on the proposed service design.

May is the perfect time to remind policy makers in DC and Springfield about the value of Older Americans Act services and caregiver supports. Click here to find two separate letters you can automatically send to your state and federal legislators.

Older Americans Month (OAM) is celebrated every May and is a time for us to acknowledge the contributions and achievements of older Americans, highlight important trends, and advocate for older adults and caregivers. As Governor JB Pritzker proclaimed, “Our seniors are the backbone of Illinois—and they deserve to live with autonomy and dignity.” As experts in the field of aging well in the community, AgeGuide and its funded partners are the key to this aspiration.

AgeGuide Northeastern Illinois held its 49th Annual Meeting & Luncheon on Friday, April 21 at The Carlisle in Lombard. The annual meeting was a chance to look back at and celebrate all the accomplishments of the Area Agency on Aging and its dedicated funded partners over the past year. It was also a time to recognize individuals for their service on the Advisory Council and Board of Directors. We celebrated staff anniversaries and retirements and paid tribute to past board members. Guests were inspired by the plans and aspirations outlined by our Board Chairperson, Greg Thompson, and Chief Executive Officer, Marla Fronczak.

Keynote speaker, Dr. Amaal Tokars, Assistant Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, tied together the morning’s festivities by delivering a thought-provoking address that tackled agism and how our society can better value and honor age, wisdom and longevity. Her presentation, “In Consideration of an Age Centered Civil Society,” focused on the importance of building supportive inter-generational communities. All age groups benefit from mutual connections and inclusive environments.

All the speakers challenged us to reframe how we think about, treat, and talk about older adults. We left inspired and motivated to change the narrative around aging.

Thank you to everyone who attended and supported AgeGuide and our Funded Partners throughout the year! 

The Age Guide – Perspectives on the Aging Journey reached a new milestone - 1000 listens across all streaming platforms! We could not have reached this milestone without our loyal listeners. We set out to put a face on aging and provide a glimpse into the struggles and joys that come with it. We had no idea how the stories and lived experiences of our guests would impact listeners, dispelling myths, and combating ageism.

We started the podcast to shine a light on how the COVID-19 lockdowns affected residents in Long-Term Care. We then expanded our discussions, interviewing aging advocates, caregivers, and older adult pioneers. Through all these stories, we found messages of hope, tenacity, and the power of connection.

We invite you to join us on this journey and subscribe to The Age Guide on your favorite streaming platform. 

Since the Federal Health Emergency ended on May 11, 2023, read what you need to know on our blog.

Mental health is wealth, especially during Mental Health Awareness Month, which is celebrated every May. This year, Mental Health Awareness Month will amplify the message, “More Than Enough.” According to National Alliance on Mental Illness, this campaign is a message for hope and inclusion; “all people, no matter where they are on their mental health journey, are deserving of support, resources, fulfillment, and a community that cares.” Unfortunately, too many older adults in America are facing a mental health crisis due to lack of access to Medicare providers and needed services. It is essential to raise awareness and elevate our voices to advocate for resources because all of us, no matter our age, deserve support and access to services. 

Check out the Illinois Department on Aging’s Aging Healthfully Newsletter. The Aging Healthfully newsletter provides information on healthy eating, physical activity and lifestyle changes to help older adults stay healthy and active.

Widespread loneliness in the U.S. poses health risks as deadly as smoking up to 15 cigarettes daily, costing the health industry billions of dollars annually, the U.S. surgeon general said Tuesday in declaring the latest public health epidemic. Read the article here.

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!