Thursday, July 07, 2022
What do tax credits, Bingo, samosas and seated leg lifts have in common?
All these things and more were front and center at the legislative site visits hosted by AgeGuide funded partners over the past month. These visits brought older adults and elected officials together to discuss and share issues affecting seniors and they even had time to laugh and have some fun! A great time was had by all as legislators experienced the benefits of aging services first-hand.
In honor of Older Americans Month, AgeGuide and its funded partners hosted three different legislator site visits in DuPage, Kane, and McHenry Counties. With campaigning season in full swing, these community events provided our legislators with the opportunity to interact directly with older adult constituents and observe Older Americans Act (OAA) programs and services in action. Elected officials were able to see how federal and state funding is used to implement evidence-based health promotion and social programs while enjoying a meet and greet with older adults in the community.
AgeGuide would like to sincerely thank all the legislators and staffers who attended the site visits. In addition, AgeGuide would like to thank each of our funded partners who hosted the site visits. It was wonderful to highlight the extraordinary work you do to enhance the quality of older adults.
DuPage County
AgeGuide, in conjunction with White Crane Wellness Center, hosted elected officials at DuPage County’s very own Metro Asian Services Senior Center in Naperville. The event consisted of a meet and greet and a SAIL (Stay Active and Independent for Life) Fitness class demonstration. Elected officials were given the opportunity to talk with older adult constituents and share the legislation they were working on related to older adults. Legislators enjoyed observing the class in action and witnessing the impact of OAA funding for programs such as SAIL. To top it off, Metro Asian Services’ Senior Center served a delicious South Asian Indian meal so that everyone could sample the ethnic meals offered by this community dining program.
Kane County
Hosted in partnership with Senior Services Associates, Elgin, this site visit featured the perennial favorite, Father’s Day Bingo. Older adults and elected officials mingled upon arrival, and then played several rounds of Bingo while enjoying some light refreshments. The Representatives had fun and learned a new skill – calling Bingo!
McHenry County
In McHenry County, Senior Services Associates Crystal Lake hosted another meet and greet before Bingo. The elected officials greeted older adults and shared their legislative efforts to support the aging journey. Participants asked lots of questions and enjoyed the opportunity to chat with them.
Will Your Program Be Next?
AgeGuide plans to present more opportunities to bring older adults and elected officials together. These events are a chance to see the outcomes of their legislative support for Older Americans Act services in action. Do you have a program you’d love to highlight? Interested in hosting a site visit at your organization? Contact Gretchen Knowlton at [email protected].
