These services offer in-home help, food and support for aging metro-east residents
More than 43,000 people older than age 65 live in St. Clair County, and the Illinois Department on Aging offers a variety of services for local residents.
The metro-east offers food pantries, mental health support, in-home services and more to people older than 60, though age requirements may vary by program.
Average yearly expenses for a retired Illinois resident total $53,077, according to a recent report from finance website GoBankingRates.
The Illinois Department on Aging’s Community Care Program offers in-home and community-based services to people who might otherwise need to move to a long-term care facility.
Eligibility requirements include:
60 year age minimum
U.S. citizenship or “eligible non-citizens within the specific categories”
Illinois residency
Nonexempt asset limit of $17,500 (Your home, car and “personal furnishings” are exempt)
Have an assessed need for long-term care
Apply for Medicaid and enroll if eligible
Here’s what to know about the DOA’s program, as well as more local resources.
Community Care Program
The Community Care Program’s In-Home Services include assistance with household tasks such as cleaning, preparing meals, laundry, running errands and more. The Illinois DOA offers an online locator service to find an in-home aide near you.
Another feature of the Community Care Program is the Emergency Home Response Service, which helps connect older adults to professionally staffed support centers 24 hours a day.
It involves a two-way activation device that is free for people who qualify for the Community Care Program, and the DOA says accessible activation devices are available on request. Fall-detection and GPS options are available, as well.
Adult Day Service is a Community Care Program option for “older adults who want to remain in the community but who cannot be home alone during the day due to a physical, social and/or mental impairment.” The centers offer medication supervision, health monitoring, personal care, community outings and more. You can search for a center near you online.
AgeSmart Community Resources
AgeSmart serves St. Clair, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, Bond, Clinton and Washington counties. The organization serves people over 60, people with disabilities and caregivers of older adults and provides services such as transportation, legal services, caregiver support and more.
You can also access food services including Meals on Wheels and senior dining programs through AgeSmart, as well as help for grandparents raising their grandchildren and resident advocates in long-term care facilities.
To connect with AgeSmart resources, you can call 618-222-2561 or email ask@agesmart.org.
Food pantries available to senior residents and more
Catholic Urban Programs at 7 Vieux Carre Drive in East St. Louis is open from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays except on holidays. You can call 618-398-5616 for information.
The Collinsville Area Food Pantry at 2009 Mall St. can be reached at 618-346-1861.
Community Interfaith Food Pantry at 1218 W. Main St. in Belleville can be reached at 618-355-9199 and is open 1 to 3 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays and 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays. This pantry is available to residents of Belleville, Swansea, Scott Air Force Base and part of Shiloh for who meet income guidelines and have a photo identification.
The St. Louis Area Foodbank has an online map where you can find more food pantry options in the metro-east.
Southwestern Illinois College has a center called Programs and Services for Older Persons that provides services such as transportation, wellness, advocacy for people using government programs, day and overnight trips, activities, lunches and more.
Belleville’s Parks and Recreation Department also offers activities for older adults, including pickleball and senior aerobics.
The Illinois Department on Aging’s Senior HelpLine is toll-free and can be reached at 1-800-252-8966 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Sage, an advocacy organization for LGBTQ+ elders, has an app where you can connect with someone for confidential support anytime.
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This story was originally published July 1, 2024 at 5:30 AM.
