Older Americans Month 2025 calls us to “Flip the Script” on aging, and at Aging Care Connections (ACC), our Basic Needs program does just that by ensuring older adults have the essentials – food, shelter, and safety – to thrive. In our second blog of this four-part series, we highlight how ACC’s home-delivered meals, Adult Protective Services (APS), and nutrition programs empower seniors in Lyons, Proviso, Riverside, Leyden, and Norwood Park townships, proving aging can be a time of security and strength.

ACC’s mission to enrich aging well drives our Basic Needs program, which served 34,054 congregate and home-delivered meals in 2024. For homebound seniors (60+), our Monday–Saturday meal deliveries (10am–3pm) offer tailored options, like pureed or renal diets, supporting health post-hospitalization or during chronic illness. Meals tailored to diabetes restrictions, for example, reduce the likelihood of hospitalization or complications from the disease. These meals not only nourish but also reduce caregiver stress, fostering family resilience.

Our Congregate Dining program offers not only nutritious and delicious meals, but important opportunities for socialization and entertainment, as well. Diners have enjoyed crafts, holiday music and themed music, and even a visit from Elvis!

Our APS program protects vulnerable seniors from abuse, neglect, or exploitation, investigating concerns and connecting clients to safety resources. For example, APS helped one client escape financial abuse, restoring their safety and security through legal aid and support. By addressing these critical needs, ACC flips the script, showing older adults can be resilient and capable, not fragile and vulnerable.

The Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program further supports Basic Needs, providing fresh produce vouchers to low-income seniors, promoting health and community engagement at local markets.

Stay tuned for our next blogs on Caregiver Support/Aging Gracefully and Enrichment. Contact ACC at 708-354-1323 for meal inquiries. For APS concerns, call 708-354-1323 or the 24-Hour APS Hotline at 866-800-1409. To learn more about any of our programs, visit AgingCareConnections.org. Share your aging-well journey with #OlderAmericansMonth and #AgingCareConnections. Together, we’re redefining aging!