Casten, AARP Illinois Address Concerns of Older Adults in Telephone Town Hall
Downers Grove, IL – Recognizing the mounting fear and isolation felt by Illinois residents 60+, who are at increased risk for serious illness from the novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) and family physician and Board Member of the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians, Dr. Kate Rowland held a live telephone town hall with thousands of older adults from the 6th Illinois Congressional District on Monday.
The telephone town hall offered participants a chance to hear directly from Casten and a local health expert about the importance of social distancing, measures to protect residents in nursing homes, assisted living, and senior housing, and other pressing concerns for older adults across the state. More than 1,200 people in the 6th District joined the call. Another 1,800 listened in through social media.
To listen to the telephone town hall click here.
"It is critically important during this pandemic that seniors have all the information they need to protect themselves from the scourge of the virus and the economic uncertainty," Rep. Casten said. "Thank you to Dr. Rowland and AARP for joining me to share their expertise with Illinois seniors. At this time, we may all be physically alone, but it doesn't mean we can't work together to get our community through this."
"Each day, we hear from older adults across the state who have questions about how this crisis is going to impact their health, their financial security, and the safety of their loved ones and caregivers," said AARP Illinois State Director Bob Gallo. "AARP is grateful that Congressman Casten and Dr. Rowland recognize the uneasiness that comes from these uncertain times, and their willingness to speak directly with our members about resources available." ?
Participants in the Town Hall were also be able to share their experiences and ask questions during the hour-long conversation, developed to address growing concerns about health, wellness and service offerings. Data shows that members of the older population, specifically people that are age 60 or older are more vulnerable to COVID-19, which causes a respiratory illness that can lead to serious cases of pneumonia.
Casten recently urged House leadership to include a variety of priorities in the next stimulus package, including support for long-term care and senior living facilities.
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