Illinois Department on Aging

The Rush Center for Excellence in Aging, LeadingAge, and the Illinois Department on Aging are developing a specialized training program for direct care workers focused on mental health, dementia, and peer mentoring.

Study staff is seeking focus group participants to share their ideas on training for direct care workers. Selected participants will receive a $75 Visa gift card for participating in the focus group.

If interested in participating in a focus group, please call 202-508-9410.

Happy 6/5! Most people become eligible for Medicare at 65 so we celebrate Medicare Fraud Prevention Week the week of 6/5 to help remember the steps to prevent, detect, and report Medicare fraud!

Medicare fraud is a serious problem. Medicare loses an estimated $60 billion each year to fraud, errors, and abuse. Every day, these issues affect people across the country and can lead to identity theft and cost you money. The good news? Some simple tips can help you protect yourself.

Families and caregivers, you can help protect your loved ones from being scammed. Talk to the older folks in your life about protecting their Medicare number like they would a bank account number.

We have some exciting news for the Ensuring Health for All Ages work group under Illinois!

We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Naoko Muramatsu, PhD, Professor of Community Health Sciences at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health, as co-chair of the group, along with Dr. Megan Huisingh-Scheetz. Dr. Muramatsu has spent her career studying how the places we live shape our health as we age, and she is especially passionate about making sure communities of color and underserved populations are not left behind. Her work developing community-based health programs in partnership with older adults, caregivers, and local organizations makes her a perfect fit for this effort and we are glad to have her on board!

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

More than 7 million Americans have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, and many more live with other forms of dementia that impact their independence and well-being. This webinar allows participants to become a Dementia Friend — someone who understands what it’s like to live with dementia and knows simple, practical ways to offer support.

Become a Dementia Friend
✅June 9 at 2 p.m.
✅Register at: https://extension.illinois.edu/events/2026-06-09-become-dementia-friend

Just wrapping up the day at the Summit of Hope in Bloomington! ​The Summit of Hope is a community expo, bringing together local service providers to create a "one-stop" environment for invited parolees and probationers to obtain necessary assistance to move past barriers, which may prevent an individual from leading a successful life. The Summit of Hope is a proven Illinois Department of Corrections and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) sanctioned program, independently organized in individual communities throughout the state.

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.

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.