Age Options presents needs assessment showing isolation, housing and caregiver gaps for Skokie older adults
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Summary
Age Options reported results from a Suburban Cook County needs assessment and local demographic snapshots, noting that 27% of Skokie residents are 60 or older and that issues include limited awareness of services, loneliness, housing affordability and caregiver burden.
Age Options presented its Aging in the Suburbs needs assessment to the Skokie Village Board on Nov. 3, summarizing demographic information for the village and survey findings about service awareness, social isolation, housing, food security and caregiver burden.
Jason Echols, manager of planning and evaluation at Age Options, told trustees that 27% of Skokie's population is age 60 or older and that a large share of older residents live alone or face housing cost burdens. Using a 2024 survey sample of about 2,000 respondents aged 50 and up, Age Options found limited awareness of aging services, substantial social isolation (39% reported loneliness in the prior year), and widespread difficulty maintaining homes and yards. Echols said 37% of respondents 60 and older were considering moving within two to five years, most commonly to reduce housing costs or because their homes were not age‑friendly.
The study also flagged caregiver strain: 40% of respondents reported providing care to someone age 50 or older, and many caregivers provided four or more hours of care per week; nearly 60% of caregivers were unaware of available caregiver support programs.
Echols urged residents who need help to contact Age Options or the local partner North Shore Senior Center. Trustees thanked Age Options and discussed ways to amplify outreach through village social workers, libraries and upcoming community fairs. Echols said most services are provided at no cost and that printed materials and community venues such as libraries and faith communities remain effective outreach channels.