374 Phyllis Mitzen: A Lifetime of Leadership in Aging

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 city. These Dementia Friendly communities support, include, and empower people living with dementia, ensuring they can participate fully in social, cultural, and civic life.

Why listen: Whether you work in aging services, advocate for policy change, or care for an aging loved one, Phyllis’s practical wisdom, grassroots solutions, and insistence on turning plans into practice offer both inspiration and concrete next steps.

“It’s not the creation of the plan - it’s the implementation that brings it alive.” - Phyllis Mitzen

CONNECT WITH PHYLLIS:

Email: phyllis.mitzen@gmail.com

And thank you to our sponsor, Women’s Connection, a nonprofit women’s group with chapters around the country. Members are vibrant, accomplished women, age 50 and forward, who connect around common interests, empower each other to thrive, and stick together as they travel through the stuff of life, no matter what comes their way.

Women Over 70 is proud to be part of the Age-Wise Collective, a group of women podcasters championing pro-aging voices. This week we shine the light on award-winning author, Jane Leder. Jane and guest dive into the joy and challenges of being an older woman. Her podcast is Older Women & Friends: Stories of Aging Well.