The Aging Report
Are You in Need of Meals During COVID-19?
Making sure older adults receive the nutrition they need during the Coronavirus pandemic is a top priority in Illinois. We want to ensure the health, safety and welfare of older adults during this time.  Because of this, the home delivered meals program is being expanded to include anyone who is 60 and older. Meals are available on a temporary basis until further notice.  There is a Care Coordination Unit in each county that can help you sign up for meals. To receive meals yourself or learn more about getting meals for a loved one,   click here .
During the shelter in place order, select Community Dining locations are providing carry out meals for older adults. If you are interested in carry-out meals,
  • Contact the Care Coordination Unit in your county to register for the program
  • Call your preferred Community Dining location and reserve a meal (Participants must be registered in the program and make a reservation for a meal in advance)

Any older adult who is concerned about accessing food or experiencing other concerns during this unprecedented event, is encouraged to reach out to the Care Coordination Unit in their county for assistance.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefit Information
SNAP is the largest federal nutrition assistance program. SNAP provides benefits to eligible low-income individuals and families via an Electronic Benefits Transfer card. This card can be used like a debit card to purchase eligible food in authorized retail food stores. If you are interested in more information or applying for SNAP benefits, please contact the   Care Coordination Unit   in your county. 
If you are a SNAP recipient who receives less than the monthly maximum SNAP allotment for your household size, you will receive supplemental emergency SNAP allotment to bring you up to the maximum benefit in April and May 2020.

April 2020 emergency allotments will be made available to active SNAP households on or before April 20, 2020. May 2020 emergency allotments will be made available around the same date the emergency allotment was received in April. For more information,   click here .

SNAP interview requirements have been adjusted due to the Coronavirus. Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) is allowing an adjustment in requiring a SNAP household to be interviewed prior to the approval of benefits. This adjustment applies to all initial applications, including expedited, requiring an interview from March 01, 2020 through May 31, 2020. For more information,   click here .
How 10 Minutes Can
Change the World!
These are unprecedented and uncertain times, but there’s one thing you can control that makes a big difference in your corner of the world - filling out your 2020 US Census. By now you should have received an invitation to go online to my2020census.gov , call (844) 330-2020, or mail in your form to complete your Census. It takes less than ten minutes to complete.
Put the Us in Census
The global pandemic has forced all of us to stop and evaluate what we value and what our purpose is. As we shelter at home and physically distance from friends and loved ones, we’re compelled to acknowledge our interconnectedness and how each one of us has a role to play in fighting the spread of this deadly virus. Here’s your chance to make a big impact without leaving your house. The Census is about all of us. Everybody counts.

How it Helps
The US Census effects political representation as well as financial resources for your neighborhood, town, city, and state. More than $34 billion in federal funding was directed to Illinois based on the 2010 Census. This funding supports important services like senior housing, Medicare Part B, Home Delivered Meals, hospitals, and first responders.

Leave A Legacy
The Census allows you to make a difference to future generations. The impact of this year’s census will be felt for the next decade. Just think of it, a grandchild born today will be ten years old before the next census. The Census you complete today will impact the quality of your grandchild’s schools, health, and neighborhoods. You can make sure the next generation flourishes by making sure you get counted.

$1,400 for 10 Minutes
Wouldn’t it be fun to be a philanthropist and go around giving out large donations to your community for libraries, public colleges, local parks, and hospitals? Well, guess what? You can! Each Census response is worth $1,400 a year, almost $17,000 over the next ten years, to our state. Those nine simple questions can make a world of difference for you, for future generations, and for all of us!

Now is the Time
In an effort to make sure the Census isn’t overshadowed by the virus, the U.S. Census Bureau has delayed the timeline for completion. The Census deadline is now extended until October 31, but Illinois residents have already stepped up to the plate. In the three weeks since invitations went out to households, 50 percent of Illinois residents responded — a rate that places us in the top 10 in the nation. Complete your Census today.

Get Social While You’re Distancing
Want to kick your impact up a notch? Complete your census and then show us your selfie! Show us you count and post a picture of yourself using #CensusSelfieChallenge. Let’s get a movement going around the census! 
Legislation to Watch
As AgeGuide, we use our role as advocates for older adults to promote and elevate policies and programs that support older adults and their caregivers and effectively address the needs of an aging America.

Want to stay up to date on the latest legislation at the Federal level that affects older adults and the critical services we provide? Read more on our blog.

Medicare Updates Policies on Coronavirus
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced several new policies, and clarified others, in response to the coronavirus, Covid-19. These tips will assist you in knowing what kind of services will be covered during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • COVID-19 Test: FREE to Medicare (fee-for-service - FFS) and Medicare Advantage customers
  • Vaccine: No vaccine is currently available, but if and when it is, it will be covered subject to deductible and co-payment rates by a Part D drug plan
  • Out-of-Network Care for COVID-19 Patients: Covered at in-network rates by Medicare Advantage plans
  • Pharmacies: More flexibility to use closer pharmacies or mail order - check with your plan
  • Tele-Health: Covered under Part B for all FFS Medicare enrollees for ANY health condition, coverage varies for Medicare Advantage plans
  • SCAMS: Be aware of new Medicare scams related to COVID-19! Avoid scammers using telemarketing, social media, email, and door-to-door visits to try to sell phony COVID-19 tests and vaccines, hand sanitizer, wipes, and similar products. Never give your Medicare number to anyone other than your own doctors, pharmacists, or other trusted people who with work with Medicare on your behalf.
Coronavirus: What Older Adults Need to Know
A lot has changed over the last month as we learn more about the Coronavirus and how it is spread. We at AgeGuide want to ensure the health, safety and welfare of older adults at this time. Many of our partner agencies are now working with older adults virtually so they can still receive services and keep everyone safe and healthy. Contact the agency to find out their specific hours of operation.
We have developed a resource page for older adults to access services in their counties during the Coronavirus pandemic. Contact AgeGuide at (800) 528-2000 if you or an older adult you know are in need of assistance.




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
  • Wear a mask when out in public
  • Stay home as much as possible
  • Monitor symptoms closely
  • Keep in touch with medical professionals as needed
Feeling Lonely?
Would You Like a Friend to Talk to?
The Sunshine Phone Calls program offers a friendly phone call to older adults who are interested in receiving calls on a regular basis to check in on them and provide friendly conversation and reduce feelings of loneliness.

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

AgeGuide | (630) 293-5990 |  info@ageguide.org  |  www.ageguide.org
1910 S. Highland Ave, Suite 100
Lombard, IL 60148

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