2009 Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 14, 2009

State Department on Aging hosts "Senior Day" at the Illinois State Fair on Monday, August 17
Special seminars, entertainment, and information on state programs and benefits will be available for seniors and their families

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Department on Aging Director Charles D. Johnson is again inviting seniors and their families to attend the activities on Monday, August 17, when it hosts Senior Day during the State Fair in Springfield. Seniors will receive information about programs and benefits, while enjoying the entertainment offered in the air conditioned setting of the Illinois Building, which is near the main gate on the state fairgrounds. Daily admission is from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and is free on Senior Day for people 60 years of age and older.

"Senior Day is an extra bonus to older adults and their families who attend the State Fair. And again this year, we look forward to having fun while offering attendees information about the program and services available through the Department on Aging. As always, we will have staff available to explain the programs such as the Community Care Program, elder abuse prevention tips, and much more," said Director Johnson.

Senior Day marks a perfect opportunity to learn about programs and services offered to older adults by the state. In addition to the information available, two seminars are set for Senior Day. The first, at 10:15 a.m., the U.S. Security and Exchange Commission and the Illinois Secretary of State Securities Department present a fraud presentation entitled "STOP," which is followed at 11:15 a.m., by a demonstration of chair exercise by the Springfield Fit Club. Seniors will take the stage at 1:00 p.m., to compete during the 2009 Illinois State Senior Spelling Bee, which is sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, the Illinois Department on Aging, the Illinois Association of Senior Centers and the Illinois Homecare Council.

During each day of the State Fair, which runs August 14-23, IDoA will present entertainment in the Illinois Building. Some of this year’s fun includes a Grandparent/Grandchild Look Alike Contest on Thursday, August 20. (See the complete Illinois Building Schedule.)

St. John's Hospital, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, the Illinois Optometric Association, and the Illinois Lion’s Club has teamed with IDoA to provide free health screenings each day, including:

• Body Composition
• Bone Density (Osteoporosis)
• Blood Pressure and Stroke
• Blood Sugar and Glucose
• Cholesterol Diabetic Eye Testing
• Health/Weight
• Hearing
• Heart Risk Assessments
• Mental Health
• Overactive Bladder
• Pulmonary Function
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Skin Cancer (Derma Scan)

Representatives from various state agencies and private companies will also be on hand during the entire fair to provide information about services they provide to older people. They include:

• AARP
• Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s Office
• Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
• Humana
• Illinois Bee Keepers
• Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
• Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
• Illinois Department of Employment Security
• Illinois Department of Human Services
• Illinois Department of Public Health
• Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs
• Illinois Optometric Association
• Illinois Lion’s Club
• Illinois State Employees Retirees Association
• Prairie Heart Institute
• Scooter Bug
• Secretary of State Jesse White’s Office
• U.S. Social Security
• Watkins Home Products

For more information about the Department on Aging, contact the Senior HelpLine.

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