You go to your mailbox hoping for a letter or a card, even a nice coupon from a local retailer might be a nice change from the usual bills and junk mailings. Suddenly, buried under all the shiny political ads, you spy something unusual, a medium sized white envelope with the official return address label of The U.S. Census Bureau. This brings up mixed emotions, I know. It might elicit feelings of excitement about the opportunity to be counted, or perhaps some skepticism about whether this mysterious envelope can be trusted to truly be from the census.
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It might even give you a bit of anxiety because, looking closely, you see the envelope says, “Your response is required by law.” Sit tight and we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to get that census completed.
By now, hopefully, you have a plan for how you want to fill out the census – whether by phone, mail or online. If you haven’t decided, not to worry; you can decide right now which method works for you and by the time you’re finished reading this you’ll be ready to get going.
That white envelope you’ll receive is just the first of many attempts the Bureau will make to get you counted. It contains an invitation to go online at
www.my2020census.gov or call in to complete the census.
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The invitation holds the key to completion – a unique identifying number you need to complete the survey. You’ll want to hang on to this! But, if you misplace your invitation with your identifying number on it, all is not lost! You can still go online, enter your address and proceed with the census.
If you don’t complete the census online, you can look forward to more census mail in your mailbox. You’ll continue to receive polite reminder postcards in your mailbox each week. This should spur you to action if you’ve been meaning to go online or to call in and haven’t yet. But if you’re waiting for your paper copy to come in the mail in
mid-April, just ignore those reminders and wait.
The paper census will come automatically if you don’t go online or call in your responses.
Now that you know what to look for in the mail, you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and get yourself counted. There are only nine questions on the census and it should only take you about 10 minutes to fill it out. You’ll need to provide information on how many people live in your home or apartment, what type of residence you live in, your phone number, and for each individual in your household: relationship, sex, date of birth, Hispanic origin, and race. That’s it. If you’re asked for any other information, it’s not the census!
If you need assistance, you can call AgeGuide (630) 293-5990 and we will be happy to help!
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Advocating for Older Adults in Northeastern Illinois
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Over the past few weeks, AgeGuide Northeastern Illinois hosted three Advocacy Breakfast Collaboratives in partnership with AARP and Illinois Continuity of Care Association across our eight-county region. The purpose of these events was to offer members of the aging network and local older adults the opportunity to meet with their elected officials and discuss programs and services that impact older adults, specifically those that reduce social isolation for older adults residing in our communities such as friendly visiting, telephone reassurance, technology to seniors and other special projects AgeGuide has implemented this year.
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The Advocacy Breakfast Collaboratives were a great success. Nearly 300 older adults, aging network professionals and elected officials attended these events. Leslie Edstrom, Community Planning Manager, addressed the impact that Age friendly and Dementia friendly communities have on older adults and the ways they reduce social isolation in older adults and their caregivers. Realizing the benefits of an older population, while addressing the difficulties and realities, is an opportunity for us to create livable communities for all generations. Baby Boomers and Millennial's want similar things in the communities that they live in. They are looking for affordable housing options, accessible transportation, work and volunteer opportunities to stay engaged and feel connected. AgeGuide is calling for a national conversation on how to make the next act of life for older adults productive, meaningful and fulfilling.
Other topics that were discussed were rising prescription drug prices and state and federal legislation that would impact older adults including the passing of the Older Americans Act.
AgeGuide Northeastern Illinois will continue its advocacy work to bring awareness to age and dementia friendly communities, social isolation among older adults and to assist in providing access to programs and services that reduce isolation in our eight-county region. If you would like to learn more or get in involved in our advocacy efforts, please visit
www.ageguide.org/advocacy.
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Choosing nutritious foods and getting enough physical activity can make a significant difference in your health. For National Nutrition Month® 2020, in March, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics encourages people to make informed food choices and develop sound eating and physical activity habits.
Each March, the Academy focuses attention on healthful eating through National Nutrition Month®. This year’s theme, Eat Right, Bite by Bite, promotes eating a variety of nutritious foods every day, planning and creating healthful meals each week and the value of consulting a registered dietitian nutritionist.
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Here are some tips for eating right for older adults:
- Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
- Choose 100% whole-grain breads, cereals, crackers, pasta and rice
- Switch to fat-free or low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese
- Vary your protein choices
- Limit sodium, solid fats and added sugars
- Enjoy your food but be mindful of portion sizes
- Be physically active your way
Source: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
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Coronavirus: What Older Adults Need to Know
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As more information becomes available, AgeGuide continues to monitor the situation on the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) closely with the Illinois Department on Aging. As of now, in the best interest of our older adult community, all group gathering activities such as senior centers and community dining locations are suspended until further notice. Older adults looking for a meal can receive one as a "to-go" meal.
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AgeGuide encourages all older adults to follow the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and:
- Wash hands often
- Put distance between themselves and others
- Stay home as much as possible
- Monitor symptoms closely
- Keep in touch with medical professionals as needed
Helpful Resources:
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Do you need someone to talk to?
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During this time of uncertainty, social distancing and isolation, the Friendship Line is a toll-free line that is available to share a conversation with someone who cares. If you are feeling lonely, call the Friendship Line and the person on the other line will love to share a conversation, listen to your story or concern and just lend an ear to those in need. The Friendship Line is also a crisis intervention hotline providing around the clock crisis support services including:
- Suicide intervention
- Providing emotional support
- Elder abuse prevention and counseling
- Giving well-being checks
- Grief support through assistance and reassurance
- Information and referrals
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Call the Friendship Line any time, day or night, at (800) 971-0016
The Friendship Line is the Institute on Aging's 24-hour toll-free accredited crisis line for persons aged 60 years and older, and adults living with disabilities.
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46th Annual Meeting & Community Partner Recognition Luncheon
April 17, 2020
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED
For more information, contact Kaitie Hauser at (630) 293-5990
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25th Annual
Senior Lifestyle Expo
August 18 & 19, 2020
Drury Lane
100 Drury Lane
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
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29th Annual Celebrity Chefs Brunch benefiting Holiday Meals on Wheels & Aging Services
November 8, 2020
Drury Lane
100 Drury Lane
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
For more information, contact Kaitie Hauser at 630-293-5990
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AgeGuide Northeastern Illinois
was established in 1974. Services funded or coordinated by AgeGuide meet the diverse needs of the most rapidly growing population in Illinois. Over 681,000 seniors age 60 and over live in the agency's eight-county service area:
DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties
1910 S. Highland Ave, Suite 100
Lombard, IL 60148
Copyright © 2020. All Rights Reserved.
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