Tuesday, December 03, 2019
LOMBARD, Ill, (Dec. 3, 2019) – The Agency on Aging Northeastern Illinois, providing services for nearly 700,000 adults age 60 and older in Chicago’s eight collar counties, has changed its name to AgeGuide effective immediately.
Founded in 1974, AgeGuide is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides better access to essential services including meals, transportation and caregiver support to older adults in DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will counties. AgeGuide coordinates a range of options that allow older adults and their caregivers to choose services that address their individual needs to age in place with dignity and independence as long as possible. The organization gives special attention to vulnerable populations, those with disabilities, veterans, minorities, low-income, and adults with limited English proficiency.
The organization also hosts an annual Senior Lifestyle Expo that showcases services and products to support older adults who want to age at home. The Expo, one of the largest in the Midwest, features a senior talent showcase, an entertainment stage, health and wellness information and a Tech Connect demonstration area.
According to Marla Fronczak, AgeGuide’s Chief Executive Officer, the new name reflects the breadth of services provided to the older adults in the area, whose ranks are expected to grow, as 1 in 4 Illinoisans will be 60 or older by 2030.
“For more than 45 years, we’ve been committed to our mission to optimize the quality of life for older adults and their caregivers. We’ve spent decades building a coordinated local network of services and supports that help older adults to maintain their well-being,” Fronczak said. “The new name positions us as the primary resource for aging services and trusted guide for older adults, their caregivers and families in Northeastern Illinois. AgeGuide can assist older adults through the aging process, no matter where they are in their journey.”
Fronczak said an estimated 90 percent of older adults want to age well in their own homes and communities. AgeGuide supports aging in place by keeping older adults socially engaged in their communities, reducing social isolation, and promoting successful aging.
Recently, the agency led efforts to established three nationally recognized dementia friendly communities, with five more ready to launch, and trained 8,000 people on creating dementia friendly workplaces and local businesses. Eighty percent of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias live in the community and many live alone, according to The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. AgeGuide addresses dementia and brain health through services such as, caregiver support, adult day centers, respite care, and more.
About AgeGuide
AgeGuide, formerly the Agency on Aging Northeastern Illinois, is a nonprofit organization responsible for developing and coordinating a network of services for older persons throughout an eight-county area in northeastern Illinois. AgeGuide informs and advises public and private agencies and the general public of the needs of older adults living in the area, and acts as an advocate on their behalf. The agency serves DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties. For more information, visit www.ageguide.org.
Contact:
Susan Stoga
Carson Stoga Communications
[email protected]
847/980-8773
