Welcome

The Illinois Department on Aging helps older people live independently in their own homes and communities. As the population ages, services and programs for older people must evolve as well because longevity means more when quality of life is enhanced. To best serve older adults, we must also serve their families and teach younger people about the realities of aging, so many of our programs have an intergenerational emphasis. Working with Area Agencies on Aging, community-based service providers and older people themselves, the Illinois Department on Aging strives to improve quality of life for current and future generations of older Illinoisans.

Features

Director Johnson Receives Leadership Award
Charles D. Johnson, director of the Illinois Department on Aging, has received the 2006 Arthur H. Larsen Leadership Award from the East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging (ECIAAA). Also receiving the award is Jacquelyn Newman, Business Services Manager for ECIAAA.

Dir. Johnson received the award in recognition of his integrity, professionalism and visionary leadership, which have helped Illinois' Aging Network build cooperative working relationships within State government. Under his leadership, the Illinois Department on Aging now administers and coordinates the Circuit Breaker/Illinois Cares Rx Program and is taking a leading role through the Older Adult Services Act in transforming the State’s system of long-term care. Dir. Johnson was the chair of the Illinois Delegation to the 2005 White House Conference on Aging.

Jacquelyn Newman received the award in recognition of her advocacy and support for older persons, their families and Illinois' Aging Network. Over the past year, she coordinated the Aging Network’s response to the Medicare Prescription Drug Program in east central Illinois. Today, over 90 percent of Medicare beneficiaries in east central Illinois have prescription drug coverage.

The leadership award was established in 1982 in honor of the late Dr. Arthur H. Larsen of Normal, Illinois, who served as the founding Corporate Board Chairperson of the East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging.

Community Care Program Amendments
Amendments have been adopted in Sections 240.2020 and 240.2040 of the rules governing the Community Care Program in Title 89 of the Illinois Administrative Code, effective September 29, 2006. The notice of adoption for this rulemaking project was published in the Illinois Register on page 16281 of Issue 41 in Volume 30 on October 13, 2006. The amendments automatically terminate the emergency rulemaking that had been adopted at 30 Ill. Reg. 10117. Updates have already been added in the electronic version of the Illinois Administrative Code at www.ilga.gov.

Emergency Home Response Service Certification
The Illinois Department on Aging is soliciting applications for certification in the provision of Emergency Home Response Service (EHRS) under a statewide demonstration project tentatively scheduled to start in October of 2006.

Emergency home response service (EHRS) is defined as a 24-hour emergency communication link to assistance outside the client’s home for clients based on health and safety needs and mobility limitations. This service is provided by a two-way voice communication system consisting of a base unit and an activation device worn by the client that will automatically link the client to a professionally staffed support center. The support center assesses the situation and directs an appropriate response whenever this system is engaged by a client. The purpose of providing EHRS is to improve the independence and safety of clients in their own homes in accordance with the authorized plan of care, and thereby help reduce the need for nursing home care.

Download the Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) regarding Emergency Home Response Service Certification.

Because applications are being solicited under an all willing and qualified process, there is no deadline for submission of applications or limit to the number of contracts which could be awarded, based upon a successful response to the service standards for the EHRS program. Applications will be evaluated as they are received and applicants will be notified, in writing, of the results of their certification application for emergency home response service. Faxed transmission of applications will NOT be accepted by the Department.

To apply, download both the Standards (PDF) and the Application for Certification for Providers of Emergency Home Response Service (PDF) then follow the instructions.

The Latest News   News: 10/ 15 /06 – Gov. Blagojevich announces a new service to help thousands of Illinois seniors stay safe at home. New Emergency Home Response Service will provide 24-hour monitoring for more than 15,000 seniors who need assistance in their homes (more) 10/ 13 /06 – Gov. Blagojevich reminds Illinois seniors to take advantage of Illinois’ wrap around prescription drug coverage for Medicare Part D (more) 10/ 05 /06 – Gov. Blagojevich calls on President Bush to reverse FDA’s stance on prescription drug importation in order to give U.S. citizens access to global marketplace. The governor applauds federal government for stopping seizure of prescription drugs from Canada and for approving Homeland Security spending bill, increasing access to affordable prescription drugs for U.S. seniors and working families; Recent Wall Street Journal poll shows 80% of Americans support drug reimporation (more) 09/ 19 /06 – Gov. Blagojevich announces plans to expand I-SaveRx drug importation program to State employees, retirees and others. In letter to the FDA, Governor vows that I-Save Rx will continue and expand operations despite finding by Auditor General that the program violates federal law (more) 09/ 15 /06 – Gov. Blagojevich and Lt. Gov. Quinn urge U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs to expand health services for veterans. Governor and Lt. Governor’s letter responds to report highlighting the federal government’s inadequate assessment of returning veterans’ health needs (more) View more Press Releases Network News Flash! 7/28/06 – Have you applied for help with drug costs? 4/13/06 – New advice for those who applied for Illinois Cares Rx after March 1 View more News Flashes A Word to the Wise: The Power of the Collective WE

Did You Know?   You can contact the Department's toll–free Senior HelpLine for free publications and additional information about aging services in Illinois. To report elder abuse, call the 24-hour, toll–free Elder Abuse Hotline: 1-866-800-1409, 1-888-206-1327 (TTY). You may obtain information about services for senior citizens anywhere across the United States by contacting the Administration on Aging's Eldercare Locator Program homepage or calling toll free at 1-800-677-1116 (Voice & TTY). For information on how to improve site accessibility and readability, view the Illinois Web Technology Standards.