150,000 get help from state's Senior HelpLine

[September 13, 2008]  SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois Department on Aging assisted more than 147, 900 seniors and their caregivers through its Senior HelpLine during fiscal 2008, from July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2008.

The Senior HelpLine staff works with callers to:

• Help you locate services in your community.

• Evaluate your needs and answer questions.

• Link you to local case management services.

• Provide information and assistance.

"The Illinois Department on Aging is pleased to offer programs and services to help older adults and their families," said Charles D. Johnson, director of the department. "Each year, we've been able to offer assistance to more and more seniors, with the purpose of helping them live quality lives while remaining in their homes and communities."

Breakdown of the number of calls the Senior HelpLine has received:

• Fiscal 2005, July 1, 2004, to June 30, 2005: 104,168

• Fiscal 2006, July 1, 2005, to June 30, 2006: 118,966

• Fiscal 2007, July 1, 2006, to June 30, 2007: 132,226

• Fiscal 2008, July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2008: 147,915

Many of the calls the Senior HelpLine receives from older adults and their caregivers concern prescription assistance benefits. Senior HelpLine provides information regarding Illinois Cares Rx, the state's pharmaceutical assistance program, and helps individuals better understand how it coordinates with federal Medicare Part D. For example, on Tuesday the federal government announced an increase for Medicare drug plan premiums in 2009. Seniors enrolled in Medicare's drug benefit will pay monthly premiums averaging about $28 next year. That is approximately a 12 percent increase. But, Illinois Cares Rx provides wraparound coverage to fill in the gaps created by Medicare Part D and offers drug coverage for people who do not have Medicare.

Earlier this summer, the Department on Aging sent out reminders seniors and people with disabilities to sign up for Circuit Breaker and Illinois Cares Rx. For faster approval and to avoid break in coverage, clients may apply online at www.cbrx.il.gov, but those who need assistance are urged to call the Senior Helpline or Circuit Breaker at 1-800-624-2459 before the Dec. 31 deadline.

For more information about program services to assist older adults in Illinois and their caregivers, call the Department on Aging's Senior HelpLine at 1-800-252-8966 or, for hearing-impaired use only, call 1-888-206-1327 TTY.

[Text from Illinois Department on Aging file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]