About this episode

Phyllis Mitzen discusses her lifelong commitment to improving care for older adults and the importance of community support and policy advocacy.

At 84, Phyllis Mitzen is still reshaping how communities care for older adults — with curiosity, courage and a fierce commitment to action. Phyllis spent 24 years at CJE Senior Life (formerly Council on Jewish Elderly) and went on to consult with Health & Medicine Policy Research Group. She was proud to be awarded the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from both Illinois and the National Association of Social Work. Phyllis serves on state and city Advisory Committees, and is currently active in the new Multi-Sector Plan on Aging, recognizing that without implementation its benefits will not be felt in Illinois. She reminds us that, equally important, the IL Dept on Aging, with 13 area agencies, depends on funding from the Older Americans Act. While it is reauthorized every 3 years, its funding is currently stalled with funding remaining at levels inadequate to meet growing needs. Phyllis’ contribution to the Villages movement, specifically Skyline Village, has led to a consortium of 8 Villages in the Chicago Metro area. Many of these non-profit organizations have received Dementia Friendly designations, and are moving Chicago towards designation as a Dementia-Friendly…

People in this episode

Hosts: Gail Zelitzky, Catherine Marienau

Guest: Phyllis Mitzen

Topics covered

• aging services
• community care
• policy advocacy
• dementia support
• leadership in aging

Keywords

• aging
• community care
• dementia
• policy
• leadership
• Illinois
• social work
• advocacy

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: CJE Senior Life, Health & Medicine Policy Research Group, Illinois Department on Aging, National Association of Social Work, Skyline Village

Places: Illinois, Chicago Metro area

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