Join us for AgeGuide’s 52nd Annual Meeting on April 16, 2026, from 9:30 AM–1:00 PM at Abbington Banquets in Glen Ellyn. This gathering brings together people who care deeply about healthy aging and longevity in our communities.  

We are excited to welcome Ken Stern, founder of the Longevity Project, host of the award-winning podcast Century Lives, and author of Healthy to 100. His keynote will explore the surprising science behind longer lives, with a focus on evidence, innovation, and collaboration. 



Enjoy networking, updates, recognitions, and lunch. Join us as we look toward a brighter future for older adults.

Advocacy works, and we’re seeing the results. After months of negotiations, federal funding for Older Americans Act (OAA) programs has been finalized through the end of the fiscal year. This progress reflects the collective efforts of aging advocates nationwide and underscores why showing up and engaging with legislators truly matters.

Last week, President Trump signed into law the remaining appropriations bills, finalizing federal funding for the rest of the fiscal year, which runs through September 30. After a long and often unpredictable FY 2026 appropriations process, Older Americans Act (OAA) programs, along with other critical aging services, are now fully funded through the end of the year.

In 2026, Black History Month marks a powerful milestone: 100 years of intentional national commemoration of Black history, life, and culture. The 2026 theme, A Century of Black History Commemorations, invites us to reflect on how Black history has shaped our country, strengthened our communities, and moved the work for equity and justice forward.

This century of commemoration has reshaped how history is told. Black History Month helps generations better understand the depth of Black contributions, the importance of civil rights, education, healthcare, labor, and community leadership.

February’s Heart Health Month is a powerful reminder that the heart is more than an organ, it’s the engine that keeps us connected to the people, places, and experiences we love. At AgeGuide, we know that supporting older adults means supporting wellness, and heart health is at the center of that mission.

Heart disease affects millions of people every year, but the good news is that small, sustainable lifestyle choices can make a meaningful difference at any age. Heart Health Month is the perfect time to reflect and take simple steps toward a stronger, healthier future. 

In this episode of Aging Well, we talk with advocate and researcher Kris Geerken about how ageism and ableism shape the way we experience aging and healthcare. Drawing on her hospice work, her research at Virginia Commonwealth University, and advocacy with Changing the Narrative, Kris explores how age bias often goes unnoticed in medical settings and why stronger gerontology training is essential to improving care. She highlights the impact of unacknowledged grief, the high-cost ageism has on our society, and the need for person‑centered systems that honor the values and goals of people at every age.  

This conversation offers practical insights and encouragement for navigating care, challenging age bias, and aging well at every stage of life. 

SNAP is our most effective tool against hunger and helps feed nearly 2 million Illinois residents every year. Due to federal changes in H.R. 1, work reporting requirements for SNAP changed significantly on February 1, 2026. These new requirements may result in hundreds of thousands of Illinois residents losing access to SNAP as soon as May.

Learn how you can help protect SNAP. Register for this presentation with the Greater Chicago Food Depository to understand the changes to the SNAP program due to H.R. 1, and how you can support neighbors in your network to keep this lifeline benefit. 

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