Illinois awarded $1 million grant to pilot person-centered supportive services program

Springfield – The Illinois Department on Aging today announced the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Administration for Community Living, has awarded the State of Illinois a $1 million grant. Through the grant, the Department will develop and pilot test person-centered supportive services that meet the needs of persons living with or those at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia, and their caregivers. The program will be developed and run by the Illinois Department on Aging, Division of Older American Services.

Evidence-based services offered through this program to aid in the cognitive preservation of persons with Alzheimer’s and dementia include:

• Care Management services;
• Art therapy workshops;
• Music therapy;
• Exercise classes;
• Storytelling therapy; and
• Other evidence-based programs such as Savvy Caregiver

Alzheimer’s is widely recognized as the most common form of dementia and is an indiscriminate disease that affects 5.2 million Illinoisans over age 65; as our aging population increases, so will instances of cognitive decline.

IDoA Director, Jean Bohnhoff, is excited at the potential of launching this new program: “This funding allows the Department to do more to help stimulate and preserve cognitive functions in older adults experiencing cognitive decline, allowing them the opportunity to safely live in their homes and communities and providing important aid to their caregivers and loved ones.”

The Department on Aging (IDoA) will work over the next several months with partners at the Southern Illinois University (SIU) Center for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders, the Alzheimer’s Association and the Coalition of Limited English-Speaking Elderly (CLESE) to oversee these programs; services will be offered at various locations throughout the state.