Illinois Department on Aging

06/02/2026

Scammers will use a lot of tactics to get your Medicare number, so be aware of their tricks. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

06/01/2026

It’s Medicare Fraud Prevention Week! The week everyone can learn about protecting yourself, your friends, and your loved ones from scammers.

There are a lot of ways to participate so stay tuned in all week to the SMP National Resource Center page for different ideas to prevent, detect, and report Medicare fraud.

05/27/2026

Where you live shapes everything, including your health, your connections, and your ability to age well. That's why housing is one of the key focus areas of EngAging Illinois, our state's plan for aging well.

Our partners at the Illinois Housing Development Authority have launched the 2027 Illinois Housing Blueprint, a statewide effort to better understand housing needs, affordability, and availability across Illinois. The goal is to create a housing plan that reflects the real needs and experiences of people across the state, and that means they need to hear from YOU!

The survey is anonymous and takes about 15 minutes to complete. Community listening sessions are also happening across Illinois through July.

Take the survey at: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/ed937f5477db49dcb85c8575953cd404
Community listening sessions are also happening across Illinois through July. Register today!
https://ilhousingblueprint.org/

This survey is part of the public outreach for a statewide housing plan, led by the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA). The purpose of this survey is to help the planning team further understand the housing needs of your community. This survey should take less than 15 minutes to complete....

05/22/2026

Championing your health includes self-advocacy — speaking up about your needs, understanding your options, and making informed decisions. This Older Americans Month, commit to taking charge of your well-being.

05/21/2026

Today we're shining a spotlight on a leader who is changing the way Illinois thinks about healthy aging! Dr. Megan Huisingh-Scheetz, MD, MPH, AGSF, of The University of Chicago is Illinois's "Ensuring Health for All Ages" Working Group Chair!

Dr. Huisingh-Scheetz is a geriatrician who has spent her career finding innovative ways to help older adults stay healthy, active, and independent -- including using technology like wearable devices and smart voice platforms to support older adults right in their own homes. Her work is rooted in a simple but powerful belief: every person deserves the chance to age well, no matter where they live or what their background is.

We're so grateful to have her expertise and passion guiding this workgroup!

Learn more about EngAging Illinois: https://ilaging.illinois.gov/forprofessionals/multi-sector-plan-for-aging/engaging-illinois.html

05/20/2026

Today, Governor JB Pritzker signed Executive Order 2026-05, officially establishing the EngAging Illinois Multisector Plan for Aging Commission. The Commission will implement the State’s landmark Multisector Plan for Aging, a 10-year blueprint to address the needs of older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers across Illinois.

The Executive Order also directs Illinois to join 13 other AARP-designated “Age-Friendly” states that are committed to promoting and celebrating healthy aging.

05/20/2026

Did you lose your SNAP benefits because of the new federal SNAP work requirements?

The federal government made changes to SNAP and some customers lost benefits on May 1, 2026, if they weren’t meeting or exempt from new work requirements.

📝See if you can file an exemption: https://aberp.illinois.gov/screener/ABAWD?lang=EN

💻 Customers can regain eligibility and meet the new work requirements by working, volunteering, or participating in a training or education program. Visit: SNAPWorkRequirements.illinois.gov

05/14/2026

We have the responsibility to ensure older adults can age with dignity and security not fear, and preventing financial exploitation before it occurs is one of the most effective ways to do that.

Our legislation allows financial financial institutions to temporarily pause suspicious transactions and contact trusted representatives when exploitation is suspected.

(The Center Square) – Based on the multiple billions of dollars lost to scams and exploitation of elderly and disabled adults each year, victims, lawmakers and interest groups want to

05/13/2026

Did you know? Many chronic conditions once thought to be a natural part of aging can be prevented or managed through healthy habits like regular checkups, good nutrition, and physical activity.