Who We Are & What We Do

At AgeGuide, we believe all older adults deserve to age well. It is our mission to be a vital resource and advocate for people as we age by providing thoughtful guidance, supportive services, and meaningful connections.

AgeGuide Northeastern Illinois is one of 622 Area Agencies on Aging throughout the United States and one of 13 in Illinois. Created by Congress to implement the Older Americans Act, Area Agencies on Aging coordinate a wide variety of services for people aged 60 and older. In 1974, the Illinois Department on Aging designated AgeGuide Northeastern Illinois as the Area Agency on Aging for DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties. Over 700,000 older adults live in our eight county service area.

AgeGuide is a non-profit organization that works closely with the Administration on Community Living, Illinois Department on Aging, and many other agencies to address both the immediate and long-range needs of older adults. Our roles and responsibilities include advocacy, coordination, planning and program development, and administration.

Advocacy

AgeGuide advocates for older adults, weighing in on policymaking at the local, state, and national levels. We advocate to effect policy change that supports aging at home and in the community with maximum health, independence, and well-being.

Coordination

AgeGuide builds working relationships with other local non-profit organizations, governmental agencies, and aging network partners to develop a comprehensive and integrated service delivery system. Organizations funded by AgeGuide provide guidance on services and the changing needs of their communities.

Planning & Program Development

AgeGuide leverages federal dollars, building on Older Americans Act (OAA) funding, to expand economic support for home-and community-based services. We understand that bringing services to people where they live in their communities helps them save their own resources and government dollars, making this a more sensible approach from both a fiscal and human perspective. AgeGuide conducts a tri-annual community needs assessment that informs our planning and program development processes. We assess the needs of older adults, their caregivers, and families and use this information to create, improve, and expand aging services.

Administration

AgeGuide administers federal and state funding for Older Americans Act services that are available to anyone aged 60 or older, their caregivers, and families. These services are targeted to older adults in greatest social and economic need. AgeGuide awards more than $24 million in federal and state grants to more than 37 community-based service organizations.

We do all of this and more to achieve our vision to enhance the quality of life for people on their aging journey.

Mission Statement