Every May, the Administration for Community Living leads the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month (OAM), a time to recognize older Americans' contributions, highlight aging trends, and reaffirm commitments to serving the older adults in our communities. The 2024 theme is Powered by Connection focuses on the profound impact that meaningful connections have on the well-being and health of older adults — a relationship underscored by the U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community.

This May, join ECIAAA  in participating with this year's theme Powered By Connection by doing some of the following:

• Share facts about the mental, physical, and emotional health benefits of social connection and how it contributes to overall well-being.
• Promote resources that help older adults engage, like community events, social clubs, and volunteer opportunities.
• Connect older adults with local services, such as transportation, that can help them overcome obstacles to achieving or maintaining meaningful relationships.
• Encourage partners to host a connection-centric event or program focused on older adult mentors to youth, peer-to-peer support, or similar efforts.
• Challenge professional and personal networks to prioritize meaningful social connections and share the benefits.
• Inspire older adults to share what connection means to them on social media using the hashtag #PoweredByConnection.

ECIAAA is proud to support the transformative potential of community engagement in enhancing mental, physical, and emotional well-being. By recognizing and nurturing the role that connectedness plays, we can mitigate issues like loneliness, ultimately promoting healthy aging for more Americans.

For more information, visit the official OAM website, follow ACL on Twitter and Facebook, and join the conversation using #OlderAmericansMonth.

A new resource has been created to assist Illinois law enforcement and legal professionals on how best to serve adults who have experienced maltreatment. The APS Law Enforcement and Legal Professional Toolkit includes information that covers the Illinois APS Program, applicable Illinois laws and statutes, and how to collaborate with the APS Program. 

Who is the intended audience?

• Law enforcement
• City attorneys/legal aids
• Prosecutors
• Judges

Purpose of the toolkit?

• Learn how best to work with adults who are at risk of maltreatment
• Learn about the Illinois APS Program
• Learn about applicable Illinois laws and statues related to adult maltreatment
• Use as a resource for leading or creating trainings specific to Illinois law enforcement and legal professionals
• Encourage collaboration amongst the APS Program and legal professionals

Toolkit Contents:

• Recorded webinars with handouts on topics including signs of maltreatment, diminished capacity, guardianship, trauma-informed legal services, financial exploitation, undue influence
• Roll call videos for law enforcement on what is APS, Ombudsman Program, Multi-disciplinary teams, and Fatality Review Teams
• Resource lists
• Who to contact for more information

How to Access and promote the toolkit:

• Web address: https://ilaging.illinois.gov/protectionadvocacy/law-enforcement-and-legal-professional-toolkit.html
• QR Code: 

Any additional questions? Feel free to reach out to Terry Haynor at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Jennifer Roberts at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.