The information and resources below provide useful context for the various unmet needs of many older adults.

Have you ever wondered how much money you need a year to live in Illinois? The Elder Index is a great tool to find this information as well as compare your county to other counties in Illinois and across the nation. Homepage | Elder Index

Elder Index. (2020). The Elder Index™ [Public Dataset]. Boston, MA: Gerontology Institute, University of Massachusetts Boston. Retrieved from ElderIndex.org

Learn more about your community through AARP’s comprehensive Livability Index. This index provides scores on housing, neighborhoods, transportation, environment, health, engagement, and opportunity.

Loneliness is often regarded as an aging issue; however, it turns out many Americans of all ages feel lonely and with the pandemic, these feelings were amplified for many. Even prior to the pandemic, experts found that social isolation and loneliness often went along with higher risk to health, physical, mental, and cognitive. As the restrictions for gatherings ease, there is a lot of opportunity for communities to provide intergenerational connection points for Illinoisans to engage in meaningful activities across the lifespan.

Many Illinoisans, at some point in their life, will find themselves taking on the role of caregiver for grandparents, partners, parents, siblings, relatives, friends, neighbors, and others. From helping to keep food in the fridge and meals on the table to deciphering medication and medical treatments, caregivers are an essential part of the aging network, both formally and informally.