State Honors Older Adults in Observance of Older Americans Month

SPRINGFIELD – In observance of May as Older Americans Month, the Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) is co-sponsoring and participating in events to honor older adults and to highlight programs that help them maintain active, healthy lifestyles in their communities.  Each May, the U-S Administration on Aging issues a campaign theme to recognize older adults for the contributions they make.  This year's theme Never Too Old to Play encourages older adults to stay engaged and involved in their own lives and in their communities.

IDoA, the Area Agencies on Aging and a network of local service providers hold events throughout the state that offer information about independent living services and other protections to seniors.  One of the events includes the 14th Annual Central Illinois Senior Celebration being held today in the Orr Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds, in Springfield.

Earlier today Illinois Department on Aging Director John K. Holton, Ph.D., met with a group of older adults from Chicago and thanked them for their experience and various roles in the community.  Director Holton later attended a luncheon in Springfield where he presented a proclamation from Governor Pat Quinn to the Illinois Association of Community Care Program Homecare Providers.   

“There are more than two million older adults over the age of sixty living in Illinois.  They deserve to be recognized for the contributions they have made and will continue to make to the culture, economy, and character of our communities and our state.  On behalf of Governor Quinn, I am proud to present this proclamation recognizing May as Older Adults Month in Illinois,” said Director Holton.

The department is also interested in gathering the views and opinions of older adults on the topics of aging and community involvement.  As part of a project called Generations Serving Generations, an online survey offered statewide will gather the information and also serve to test the potential for reaching older generations through the Internet.   Generations Serving Generations was developed in 2008 when the Illinois Department on Aging was selected by the National Governors Association to promote civic engagement of older adults living in Illinois in the areas of service, learning and work.  For more information about Generations Serving Generations and to see information about the survey, log on to the website at www.solit.siu.edu/genservegen.

For more information about program services to assist older adults in Illinois, call the Senior HelpLine at 1-800-252-8966 or for TTY (hearing impaired use only) call 1-888-206-1327.