A Letter from Diane Slezak
AgeOptions President and CEO
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|  | | Diane Slezak | |
We are nine months into the pandemic and despite the fact that it seems like we should be back to business as usual, we are far from it. The work we're doing with our partners is critical.
This is a time like no other in our lives. Despite the challenges we face every day, we are proud to play a part in meeting the needs of older adults, caregivers and our communities with the support of our Board of Directors, Advisory Council, funded agencies and partners. Rest assured we will not stop working to provide a full array of services to all of our communities with a special focus on low income minority communities.
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Turning Up the Volume on Ageism
Older adults too often are marginalized, stereotyped, dehumanized, condescended to, excluded and generally regarded as no longer being valuable members of society. That's ageism: stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination against people on the basis of their age.
AgeOptions, along with organizations nationwide, is turning up the volume on the issue of ageism, looking at how we unknowingly feed into stereotypes and what we can do to end the stigma.
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AgeOptions says Thank You to the 53 million unpaid family members and friends who are caregivers in the US, and to all the grandparents and older adults raising children under 18.
This year's National Family Caregivers Month theme, #CaregivingInCrisis, highlights the new realities that caregivers and their loved ones face during these uncertain times.
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Tackling Older Adults' Unique Pandemic-Related Stresses and Challenges
The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unique challenges for older adults and those who serve them. Social isolation, access to food, caregiver stress and financial crises from job layoffs are among the issues AgeOptions and our partner agencies quickly ramped up to address when the pandemic began.
Some of our partner agencies share how they have been able to assist older people whose lives were upended by the pandemic.
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Illinois Senior Medicare Patrol Shares Experience and Expertise Nationwide
 With the success of the Illinois Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) team in recruiting volunteers and spreading its fraud prevention message throughout the state, Travis Trumitch, SMP coordinator, has found himself in demand to share methods and successes nationwide. Two of his recent speaking engagements were to SMPs in Hawaii and Kentucky. Unfortunately, perhaps, they were virtual.
Coordinated by AgeOptions, Illinois SMP is celebrating 25 years of empowering consumers throughout the state to prevent, detect and report health care fraud.
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Music & Memories!
Come to the Virtual Sing-Along Cafe for People with Memory Concerns and Their Care Partners
Nothing lifts your heart more than singing songs you love with the people you love. That's the philosophy behind the Good Memories Sing-Along Café for people with memory concerns and their care partners. Hits from the '40s, '50s and beyond are filling the air via Zoom and phone each Wednesday and new participants are welcome to join the free sing-alongs.
"One of our participants had her head in her hands and was looking rather down," a Sing-Along Café leader said. "After she started to sing she got up and started dancing around the room with her care partner."
AgeOptions is partnering with AgeGuide and Good Memories Choir to host the joyful sessions that are led by a professional musician from 1 to 2 pm on Wednesdays through December 30.
Registration is necessary. When they register, participants will receive information about the week's sing-along theme and how to tune in. The Café will also be available by phone for those with limited technology. Click here for registration links and additional information.
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Did You Remember Your Flu Shot?
It's Not Too Late and It's Really Important
With the overwhelming concerns and fears about the COVID-19 virus this year, it's easy to forget that this is also flu season. As it does every year, the seasonal influenza virus will spread again and is capable of causing serious illness and even death. Health care systems are already overwhelmed caring for COVID-19 patients and may not be able to prioritize patients with serious cases of flu. That makes getting a flu vaccine during 2020-2021 more important than ever, especially for older adults, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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Interesting and Useful
Upcoming AgeOptions Programs
 Thrive with Pride December Online Café; Senior Rainbow Assistance Program
With the holidays here, many of us are considering how we might give back. Join us virtually for holiday cheer and a presentation about how you can improve the lives of LGBT+ elders and what resources are available to help all people thrive as they age.
Take Charge of Your Health &
Take Charge of Your Diabetes
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