March 2021 Special Feature

March is women's history month. As such it seems like an apt time to call attention to gendered disparities in aging.

For this month's special feature we would like to highlight Top Health Conditions Affecting Elderly Women from AgingInPlace.

Find the original article here

 

Top Health Conditions Affecting Elderly Women

Updated for March. 2021

Women and men both face a variety of health conditions as they age. However, there are specific illnesses and disorders that either overwhelmingly affect women more than men or that can only affect women for biological reasons.

friends running healthy
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Additionally, of the 48 million seniors living in America in 2016, about 55 percent of them (or 27 million) were women. Women also have a higher life expectancy (81 years) than men (76 years) in the U.S., which means a higher chance of developing health issues simply for the fact that they, generally, live longer than men do and their bodies have more time to develop diseases.

In this guide, we’ll discuss the top seven health conditions affecting elderly women, what their causes, symptoms, and treatments are, and steps that can be taken for prevention. The following contents are not ranked by how frequently they occur, but rather they are a grouping of some of the most common health concerns faced by elderly women.

 

April 2021 Special Feature

This year Govenor Pritzer has made April Innovation and Technology Month in Illinois1.  Keeping with that theme we'd like to recognize the work the Department on Aging has been doing to make the most of technology for older Illinoisans. 

For this month's special feature we would like to highlight the Illinois News Release "State of Illinois Distributes Over 1,100 Connectivity and Assistive Devices to Keep Older Illinoisans Connected During COVID-19" from the Department on Aging .

Find the original article here

 

 April Special Ft Image

Lisa Armocida of Staunton, receiving a technology device bundle from Paula Basta, Director of IDoA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                             CONTACT:
Monday, April 12, 2021                                                                                       Mike Dropka 312-909-9046
                                                                                                                            This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

State of Illinois Distributes Over 1,100 Connectivity and Assistive Devices to Keep Older Illinoisans Connected During COVID-19

$1.7 million grant provided access for socially isolated seniors and persons with disabilities

Springfield, IL - The Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) and Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) have distributed over 1,100 connectivity and assistive devices to older adults and persons with disabilities who have been disproportionally affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, after receiving $1.7 million from the federal Administration for Community Living in May 2020.

Specifically, the funding was used to purchase technology devices; including iPads, tablets and internet / Wi-Fi / hotspot access to combat social isolation and loneliness among older adults and individuals who are disabled. The devices have applications like FaceTime, Zoom, mental stimulation and others so individuals can connect with family members and friends. Devices were distributed throughout Illinois beginning in August. Personal accounts of how these devices truly Made Connections, can be viewed here.

Paula Basta, Director of IDoA recently visited the Illinois Assistive Technology Program Building to personally deliver technology device bundles to Lisa Armocida of Staunton (aged 67) and Kathy Durbin of Morrisonville (aged 63).

“We really need each other, even more than we understand or know,” said Paula Basta, Director of IDoA. “The pandemic allowed us to creatively form new partnerships and come up with innovative solutions to ensure that our older adults remain safe and in their own homes. Providing these new technologies help establish the social connection that our seniors need to maintain their health.”

IDoA, the Illinois Assistive Technology Program (IATP), and IDHS’ Division of Developmental Disabilities and Division of Rehabilitation Services worked to identify clients, customers, and participants who may be at risk of social isolation and would benefit from these devices.

"We are very thankful for our partnership with IDoA and IDHS,” said Willie Gunther, Executive Director of IATP. “The partnership allowed for the opportunity to help individuals with their technology options to stay connected with family, friends, and their communities during these difficult times.”

IDoA has published resources to help connect older and disabled Illinoisans with family and loved ones to prevent social isolation and feelings of loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those resources can be found on the IDoA website here.

IDoA, its 13 Area Agencies on Aging, and 55 Care Coordination Units are working to ensure that services provided by the agency are never interrupted. If you or an older family member, friend, or neighbor need assistance, please visit www.illinois.gov/aging or contact the Senior HelpLine at 1-800-252-8966 (hearing impaired call 888-206-1327) or by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Attachments

(Picture A, left to right: Kathy Durbin of Morrisonville, receiving a technology device bundle from Paula Basta, Director of IDoA.)

(Picture B left to right: Lisa Armocida of Staunton, receiving a technology device bundle from Paula Basta, Director of IDoA.)

(Pictured C: Paula Basta, Director of IDoA and Willie Gunther, Executive Director of IATP with IATP staff.)

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