Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Each January, as fresh faces join legislative teams and seasoned aides gear up for another impactful year, AgeGuide hosts our Annual Legislative Aide Kickoff.
This is an opportunity to connect, collaborate, and champion change for older adults across northeastern Illinois. Together, we’ll dive into the Older Americans Act (OAA), explore innovative ways to support healthy aging, and strengthen partnerships that ensure every older adult can age with health, dignity, and connection.
Why Connection Matters
Our message to Aides this year is all about the importance of connection “Thriving Communities Start with Connection”. We all thrive when we’re seen, supported, and connected. We want legislators and staffers to understand that when older adults have access to programs like nutrition, caregiver support, transportation, and opportunities for socialization, entire communities benefit.
Looking Ahead
As we move into a new year, AgeGuide will advocate for the following priorities:
- Support Unpaid Family Caregivers
Increase Illinois Family Caregiver Act funding from $5m to $6m to support unpaid family caregivers through the Area Agency on Aging Caregiver Resource Centers. An AARP study found that there are over 1.3 million caregivers in Illinois (AARPs Updated Annual Survey 2023) providing 1.21 billion hours of unpaid work annually, with an estimated value of $21 billion. In Illinois, caregivers potentially save Medicaid $22M annually when nursing home placement is delayed due to support for unpaid caregivers.
- Enhance Social Connections
Level funding for community-based programs that provide social support and engagement opportunities for older adults, such as senior centers, digital accessibility, transportation, and volunteer programs.
III. Increase Education Awareness Concerning Financial Exploitation
Reported scams impacting those aged 60+ ballooned from $931 million in 2021 to $1.86 billion in 2023, an increase of 100%. Unreported incidents would push these numbers much higher. Resources are needed for Area Agencies on Aging to educate and increase awareness of scams and reduce financial exploitation.
- Sustain State Funding for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders
Level funding to “fill the gaps” in services and fund evidence-based training for caregivers. This support will help avoid premature placement into long-term care settings.
