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Mary Killough, Acting Director Senior HelpLine: 1-800-252-8966 (711 TRS)

Home & Community-Based Services

Services for older adults are available in a variety of settings including home- and community-based options and care in different types of facilities. The following programs and services are available to older adults aged 60+ living in their home.


Adult Protective Services

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 is locally coordinated through numerous provider agencies across the State. Caseworkers from these provider agencies are trained and certified by the Illinois Department on Aging. Local APS caseworkers investigate allegations and coordinate client service referrals to mitigate risk and assure client health, welfare, and safety.


Area Agencies on Aging

The 13 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) across the State plan and coordinate aging services in their respective region. All AAAs fund community-based providers to deliver core services to older adults who are low-income, live in rural areas, are a racial or ethnic minority or have limited English proficiency, or are at risk of institutional placement. Core services include:

  • Caregiver supports
  • Elder rights: Abuse prevention and ombudsman programs
  • Health & wellness
  • Nutrition
  • Supportive Services: case management; homemaker & chore services; home modification; information & assistance; in-home services; legal services; and transportation

AAAs typically offer more than a dozen additional services to meet individualized needs and to support older adults in their homes and communities. The most common in Illinois are:

  • Insurance Counseling (SHIP)
  • Veterans Independence Program
  • Senior Medicare Patrol


Benefit Access Program

The Benefit Access Program offers two benefits for qualifying older adults and persons with disabilities:

  • Seniors Ride Free Transit Benefit (65+ years) and Persons with Disabilities Ride Free Transit Benefit (16+ years with a disability)
  • Secretary of State License Plate Discount

Learn whether you meet age, disability, residency and income requirements for the program and apply online.


Community Care Program

The Community Care Program (CCP) aims to assist older adults in maintaining their independence and providing cost-effective alternatives to nursing home placement. CCP services include:

CCP is available to any person who requests services and meets all current eligibility requirements.


Home Care Ombudsman Program

Home Care Ombudsmen are located throughout the State and work to protect the rights of and advocate for older persons and adults with disabilities living in the community who:

are enrolled in the Medicare Medicaid Alignment Initiative (MMAI) and receive services from a managed care organization (MCO); or

receive services from one of the following Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver Programs:

  • Persons who are Elderly
  • Persons with Disabilities
  • Persons with Brain Injury
  • Person with HIV or AIDS


Illinois Care Connections

The Illinois Care Connections (ICC) program provides technology and assistive devices to older adults living in the community, with the goal of enhancing their overall well-being and quality of life. To be eligible for this program, individuals must be 60 years of age or older and be referred by an approved referral source, such as an Area Agency on Aging (AAA), AAA-funded entity, Care Coordination Unit (CCU), or Adult Day Service (ADS) provider. Older adults may, but do not need to be, receiving aging services through their referring agency at the time of referral. Referrals are received and processed by the Illinois Assistive Technology Program (IATP), with whom IDoA partners to administer this program.


Legal Assistance

The Illinois Department on Aging provides funding to local Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) to contract with legal aid representatives throughout the State. Legal aid representatives may help with a wide variety of civil law issues. To learn what is available in your area, contact your local AAA using this map tool. For information on Advance Directives, such as the "Durable Power of Attorney for Property," "Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care," and "Living Will," click here.


Nutrition

The Illinois Department on Aging provides funding to local Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) to contract with nutrition providers throughout the state. If you are interested in signing up for home-delivered meals, would like to participate in group (congregate) dining, access the nutrition screening (also available in Spanish), education, counseling, cooking classes and other nutrition-related activities, contact your AAA or a nutrition provider in your area by using this map tool.


Supportive Living Program

The Supportive Living Program is an affordable assisted living model administered by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) that offers older adults (65+ years old) and persons with physical disabilities (22+ years old) housing and Home and Community-Based Services as an alternative to nursing facility placement. Qualifying individuals choose from a menu of services provided by the facility.


Transportation

Transportation is the critical link that assures access to vital services such as health care, social and nutritional services, family and friends, stores and jobs. The availability of transportation allows older adults to live independently in their communities and helps prevent isolation and premature nursing home placement. To learn what is available in your area, contact your local AAA using this map tool.