Connecting Older Adults with Community-based Resources and Options The Area Agency on Aging of Suburban Cook County, since 1974

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"AgeOptions is about independence, dignity, hope and about helping people – people just like us. I know from personal experience the importance of these Area Agencies on Aging. That's why I've been a constant supporter for 20 years."

– Donna Moore
Board of Directors, AgeOptions

"AgeOptions is recognized as a leader in the field of aging. I was attracted to AgeOptions because of its commitment to providing services and to thinking resourcefully."

– Fred P. Karutz

Past Chairman

AgeOptions Board of Directors

 

How We Make a Difference

AgeOptions – together with a network of organizations – connects older adults with a wide range of services and programs. They include in-home care and adult day services; telephone and in-person assistance; resources and education; and nutrition and health care programs.

AgeOptions is one of 655 Area Agencies on Aging throughout the country and one of 13 in the state of Illinois. Our primary service area, suburban Cook County, includes 130 communities within 30 townships surrounding Chicago - home to 2.5 million residents and more than 460,000 older adults.

The difference we make in what we do lies in how we approach our cause and how we respond to more than 130,000 older constituents each year. Going beyond service delivery, we think resourcefully and work vigorously so that older adults are able to:

  • Live meaningful lives
  • Maintain independent lifestyles
  • Manage self care
  • Find and use resources for care and assistance
  • Be healthy and safe
  • Avoid fraud, abuse and neglect
  • Protect their own rights

Guided by our purpose and our vision, we demonstrate our commitment to the older population and dedicate our efforts to three integral roles in the field of aging:

  • Leader in Innovation
  • Advocate for Aging
  • Catalyst for Community Collaboration

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Advocate for Aging

AgeOptions advocates on behalf of older adults in suburban Cook County to increase services, benefits and programs for older adults. Our efforts are directed towards:

  • Home- and community-based services
  • Pharmaceutical benefits
  • Heath promotion and disease prevention
  • Elder rights and protective services
  • Caregiver support
  • Support for the Older Americans Act

As delegates to the White House Conference on Aging, AgeOptions executives were instrumental in reauthorization of the Older Americans Act that was signed into law by President George W. Bush on October 16, 2006. Among the addressed priorities were worker shortage for geriatric care, home- and community-based long term care, and community preparedness for the aging society.

AgeOptions represents the Illinois Association of Area Agencies on Aging by serving on the Advisory Council for the Older Adult Services Act, the 2004 landmark legislation for redesigning long term care. Additionally, we actively advocate for older adults on major public policies, including the Illinois Act on Aging, Illinois Cares Rx, Elder Abuse and Neglect Act, and the Red Tape Cutters Program.

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Catalyst for Community Collaboration

Because of rapidly changing demographics, AgeOptions is increasing its capacity to service diverse populations. One of our first initiatives was to fund menu options to encourage more participation at congregate dining sites by minority and ethnic populations. Working with our ethnic-based agencies, we are expanding our ability to communicate in different languages through our Language Assistance Program. Funds are specifically targeted for translation purposes using telephone interpretation services.

AgeOptions coordinates the Chicago metropolitan-wide Access to Benefits/Make Medicare Work Coalition. Originally the HealthCare Choices program, this group of 200 members helps bring together policy work and practical efforts to help Medicare consumers in Illinois. With a Resource Center that has provided training and support for more than 30,000 individuals, we became a major information source when Medicare Part D was introduced in 2004.

AgeOptions leads the Illinois SMP (formerly Senior Medicare Patrol) program, collaborating with Area Agencies on Aging and special partners to raise awareness of Medicare and Medicaid fraud and promote prevention activities. As a recent grantee of the SMP Integration Project, federal funding allows us to target underserved populations.

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