“A majority of Americans cannot afford to take care of their families. They see it as their responsibility, and often their failure. To get by, they cobble together solutions, even quitting their jobs to look after a loved one – a newborn, a parent, a friend, or an in-law. Things are getting worse as baby boomers age into their 70s. We are facing a social crisis as America’s piecemeal and expensive care infrastructure, created a half century ago, has reached a breaking point.” - Al Jen Poor and Dr. Benjamin W. Veghte, Architects of Universal Family Care, New York Times

As caregiving in America faces the twin pressures of an aging baby boomer generation and rising life expectancy, the United States’ long-term care system threatens to tip into crisis.

• According to a recent Rand Report, it is estimated that between 53 million to 105.6 million U.S. adults provide unpaid caregiving for family and friends.  
• An estimated 5.4 million children and adolescents in the U.S. are direct caregivers for family members. 
• There are five million paid caregivers nationally in the U.S., as of 2023. 
• The value of the care provided by unpaid family caregivers across the U.S. was $600 billion in 2021, according to a 2023 AARP report.
• Median annual earnings for direct care workers in the U.S. are $23,688.13, as of a 2023 report.

The PBS documentary film “Caregiving” personalizes this urgent national issue through stories from caregivers and interviews with experts as they fight to give caregivers the security and support they provide for so many others. The project also includes a robust national engagement campaign.

The feature-length documentary and accompanying short films will examine caregiving from multiple perspectives:

• the creation and evolution of the care system;
• the social dynamics that shape our approach to caregiving today and the future possibilities;
• the lives of caregivers and their relationships with those in their care;
• the interpersonal and economic pressures faced by caregivers; and
• the broader societal context in which caregiving operates on the margins yet affects everyone.

“Caregiving” can be viewed at https://www.pbs.org/video/caregiving/.

If you are a family member looking for local resources in Champaign, Clark, Coles, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, Edgar, Ford, Iroquois, Livingston, Macon, McLean, Moultrie, Piatt, Shelby or Vermilion counties, contact East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging at (800) 888-4456.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day – June 15, 2025

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is observed each year on June 15 to shine light on the abuse, neglect, and exploitation faced by older adults around the world.

In Illinois, the Adult Protective Services Program (APS) investigates reports of abuse neglect, exploitation, and self-neglect of adults age 60 or older, and adults age 18-59 with disabilities living in the community. APS Case Workers are trained and certified by the Illinois Department on Aging. Local APS Case Workers investigate allegations and coordinate client service referrals to mitigate risk and assure client health, welfare, and safety.

Abuse, neglect, exploitation and self-neglect takes many forms, and in most cases victims are subjected to more than one type of mistreatment. It is the least recognized form of family violence and may include:

• Abandonment - means the desertion or willful forsaking of an eligible adult by an individual responsible for the care and custody of that eligible adult under circumstances in which a reasonable person would continue to provide care and custody. 
• Confinement – restraining or isolating a person for other than medical reasons. 
• Emotional abuse – verbal assaults, threats of abuse, harassment, or intimidation so as to compel the person to engage in conduct from which she or he has a right to abstain or to refrain from conduct in which the person has a right to engage. 
• Financial exploitation – the misuse or withholding of a person’s resources to the disadvantage of the person and/or the profit or advantage of another person. 
• Passive neglect – the failure by a caregiver to provide a person with the necessities of life including, but not limited to, food, clothing, shelter, or medical care, because of failure to understand the person’s needs, lack of awareness of services to help meet needs, or lack of capacity to care for the person. 
• Physical Abuse – causing the infliction of physical pain or injury to a person.
• Self-Neglect - A condition that is the result of an eligible adult’s inability, due to physical or mental impairments, or both, or diminished capacity, to perform essential care tasks that substantially threaten their own health, including: providing essential food, clothing, shelter, and health care; and obtaining goods and services necessary to maintain physical health, mental health, emotional well-being, and general safety 
• Sexual abuse – touching, fondling, or any other sexual activity with a person when the person is unable to understand, unwilling to consent, threatened, or physically forced. 
• Willful deprivation – willfully denying assistance to a person who requires medication, medical care, shelter, food, therapeutic device, or other physical assistance, thereby exposing that person to the risk of harm.

The Adult Protective Services Act provides that people – who in good faith report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, self-neglect or cooperate with an investigation – are immune from criminal or civil liability or professional disciplinary action. It further provides that the identity of the reporter shall not be disclosed except with the written permission of the reporter or by order of a court. Anonymous reports are accepted.

Additional information about the APS program and what the reporter should be prepared to answer to the best of their ability when making a report can be found at https://ilaging.illinois.gov/protectionadvocacy/abuse.html.

Who to Contact

If you know or suspect that someone is being abused, neglected, or exploited living in the community, do not remain silent. Contact the Illinois Adult Protective Services Hotline at (866) 800-1409, available 24/7, 365 days a year.

If the person is a resident of a long-term care facility, and you know or suspect violations of their rights including abuse, neglect, poor care, isolation and lack of choices and meaningful activities, contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at the Illinois Senior Hotline at (800) 252-8966.

The APS program does not investigate cases where the individual has fallen victim to scams such as government impersonation, grandparent, home repair, romance or sweepstakes/charity/lottery scams. To learn more about what to do if you or a loved one thinks they have been scammed, and starting a TRIAD in your community, watch the following video at https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1XXLh8fNFo/.

Abuse, fraud and waste associated with Medicare and Medicaid should be reported to the Illinois Senior Medicare Patrol at (800) 699-9043.

Additional questions can be answered by East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging at (800) 888-4456.

Older Americans Month – “Flip the Script on Aging”

Established in 1963, Older Americans Month (OAM) is celebrated every May. Older Americans Month is a time for us to acknowledge the contributions and achievements of older Americans, highlight important trends, and strengthen our commitment to honoring our older adults.

This year’s theme, "Flip the Script on Aging," focuses on the importance of combating ageism to transform how society perceives, talks about, and approaches aging by challenging stereotypes and highlighting the benefits of healthy aging.

How can community groups, businesses, and organizations mark Older Americans Month?

• Promote Older Americans Month within professional and personal networks.
• Encourage followers to share thoughts and stories on social media using #FlipTheScriptOnAging.
• Share tips on language and activities that dispel myths about aging.
• Host events or programs where older adults can mentor peers, younger adults, or youths to help dispel misconceptions about ageism.

 What can individuals do to combat ageism?

• Celebrate the contributions of people of all ages in the workplace and community.
• Avoid ageist statements when talking about growing older.
• Promote fact-based messages about older adults’ abilities and value to communities.

On April 14, 2025, the Board of Directors of the East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging voted to proclaim May as Older Americans Month for the counties of Champaign, Clark, Coles, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, Edgar, Ford, Iroquois, McLean, Macon, Moultrie, Piatt, Shelby and Vermilion in East Central Illinois. View the Proclamation. For more information, visit the official OAM website, follow ECIAAA on Facebook, and join the conversation using #OlderAmericansMonth.

"As we celebrate Older Americans Month, funding for the Older Americans Act is facing serious threats. These programs and services aren't optional services; they are the foundation of independence, health, and well-being for millions."

 - Sandy Markwood, CEO of USAging

 

Advocacy Materials
Learn more and help us advocate for critical OAA programs by accessing the documents below!

Statewide Day of Action

Loss of OAA Services Impact Statement

IL Family Caregiver Act (SB 2617, HB 4014)

IL Family Caregiver Impact Statement

Please contact Susan Real, CEO, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with questions. Thank you.

Be Safe & Be Well!

Celebrating the Creative Power of Older Artists: Honoring the Legacy of Jean-Michel Basquiat and Others Over 60

The world of art is a rich tapestry woven together by people of all ages, yet it is often easy to overlook the incredible contributions made by older artists. From painters to musicians, sculptors to writers, creative minds who reach their later years continue to produce groundbreaking work that pushes boundaries and reshapes the landscape of art. Far from slowing down, many older artists harness their experience and mastery to create works that resonate deeply with contemporary audiences.

In 2025, we remember the legacy of Jean-Michel Basquiat, who would have turned 65 years old this year. Though Basquiat tragically passed away at the young age of 27, his work has endured, continuing to influence generations of artists and art lovers. His raw, vibrant, and powerful paintings broke new ground and continue to captivate with their blend of personal history, social commentary, and abstract expression. Basquiat’s impact on the art world remains unparalleled, demonstrating how age, while important, does not define the length or power of an artist’s influence.

The Timeless Creativity of Older Artists

Jean-Michel Basquiat is just one of many figures whose legacy exemplifies the power of art regardless of age. In fact, older artists often bring a unique depth to their work, fueled by decades of life experience, reflection, and growth. Their art reflects a complex understanding of history, culture, and identity that younger generations are still discovering. Whether it’s in the creation of visually striking paintings, thought-provoking compositions, or innovative sculptures, the contributions of older artists are essential to the cultural dialogue.

Take, for example, the acclaimed painter and printmaker Chuck Close, whose photorealist portraits continue to inspire despite his battle with a debilitating illness later in life. Close’s persistence in the face of adversity proves how the creative spirit can evolve and flourish even in older age. Similarly, musicians like Tony Bennett, who continued to perform well into his 90s, showed us how artistry can remain vibrant and powerful across the span of a lifetime.

Older artists, armed with years of experience, approach their craft with a level of nuance and complexity that can only come with time. They’ve had the opportunity to develop a unique voice, which gives their work an authenticity and emotional resonance that younger, less seasoned creators may still be working to achieve. Their art is an intersection of their journey—shaped by challenges, triumphs, and lessons learned—and their ability to reflect on the world through an ever-evolving lens.

Age Is No Barrier to Creativity

What’s perhaps most extraordinary is how many older artists maintain their vitality and passion as they age, producing works that speak to both their past and their present. Their creativity defies the assumption that youth is the only path to innovation. In fact, the complexity of life lived—through successes, heartbreaks, and everything in between—provides a wellspring of inspiration that younger artists can often only dream of tapping into.

Take the example of 81-year-old painter and sculptor Louise Bourgeois, who continued to create deeply personal, striking work until her passing at 98. Her exploration of themes like memory, family, and identity took on new layers as she aged, demonstrating how art can be a lifelong pursuit that continually adapts and transforms.

Similarly, renowned architect Frank Gehry, still active in his 90s, continues to design awe-inspiring, cutting-edge buildings that redefine the way we think about space and form. He’s a testament to how the evolution of creativity can occur at any stage in life.

What would have happened had Basquiat lived to see 65? It’s tempting to imagine the new territories his work might have explored and the collaborations he could have embraced. Given his restless energy, it’s likely he would have pushed the boundaries even further, combining technology, politics, and social activism with his raw, unmistakable visual language. In fact, even as Basquiat's work is immortalized on canvas, his influence is felt everywhere—from fashion runways to music albums to graffiti walls around the globe. His enduring power, even at the age he would be today, speaks volumes about the timelessness of great art.

Why We Need Older Artists

As we reflect on figures like Basquiat, we’re reminded that art does not belong to the young alone. The voices of older artists are essential to maintaining a well-rounded, vibrant art world. Their work continues to challenge assumptions, create new pathways, and inspire audiences across generations.

Art is not simply an expression of youth or a fleeting moment of inspiration; it is a lifelong exploration that can evolve, deepen, and grow richer with age. The creative contributions of older individuals are a testament to the resilience and power of human expression. By supporting and celebrating the achievements of older artists, we ensure that our cultural heritage is constantly being enriched by the very people who have lived through its most defining moments.

This January, let’s honor all the older artists still enriching our world. Their creativity doesn’t fade with age; it only becomes more profound, more expansive, and more powerful. So here’s to the artists over 60 who continue to inspire, challenge, and transform the art world—long may they create.