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Wyandotte/Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging
Volume 18 - Issue 1
January - February 2010
I N S I D E T H I S
I S S U E :
Bills & Resolutions for 2010
2
2010 Public Policy Goals
3
Wellness Center Scholarships
4
Utility Tax Rebates 5
Dementia Crisis Bridge Project
6
Trivia Drawing/Fun Facts
7
THE COMMUNICATOR
AGING FUNDED PROGRAMS
• Demand Response -
Transportation 913-573-8308 (traveling within the Wyandotte County limits only)
• Hearing Aid Program
Providence Medical Center 913-596-5143
• Vision Screenings
Visiting Nurse Association 816-627-6484
• Legal Services
Kansas Legal Services 913-621-0200
• Foreign Born Assistance
Catholic Community Services 913-621-5774
60 Plus?...Call on Us!
FRO M TH E DIR EC TOR’ S DESK
DE LA O FIC INA DE LA DIR EC TOR A
“Wow”, can you really believe we made it through a decade of the new millennium with all of its
challenges and obstacles?
Well, as Human Services Providers, we find ourselves in 2010, with a new looming dilemma which
could impact our ability to administer services through the Home and Community Based Services
(HCBS) Program. This program administered by the Area Agencies on Aging (AAA’s) since 1998,
provides frail, vulnerable seniors with services that enable them to remain in their own homes and
communities. Without these services they may risk the possibility of nursing home placement. The
State’s decision to cut all Medicaid programs by 10 percent to assist with balancing the budget is
the reason given for such drastic cuts. The AAA’s in Kansas have administered this program in a
cost effective manor, which ultimately saved the state money, as it is cheaper to keep a senior in
their own home, compared to the cost of a nursing facility. The aging network must get busy with
our advocacy to help our legislators understand the impact these type of decisions have on the
frail and vulnerable ones who have paid their dues to society with service to this country and with
hard work through the years of support with their tax dollars. The AAA’s will continue in our tradi-
tion of providing services to seniors at the grass roots level as best we know how, and will be
steadfast in our commitment of being the single-point-of-entry to seniors, by being the link to infor-
mation and services which allows them the choice to remain vital, active participants in all facets
of their community.
We would like to wish everyone including our consumers, constituents, providers and all, a very
happy and blessed new year!!!
Increible, ¿puede usted creer que hemos terminado la primera década del nuevo milenio con to-
dos sus desafíos y obstáculos?
Bien,como proveedores de servicios humanos, nos encontramos en 2010, con un nuevo dilema
que podría afectar nuestra capacidad de administrar servicios a través del programa de servicios
al hogar en la comunidad (HCBS). Este programa administrado por las Agencias de Servicios para
Envejecientes (AAA) desde 1998, provee servicios a las personas mayores de edad que son frag-
iles y vulnerables permitiendoles vivir en sus propios hogares y comunidades. Sin estos servicios
los envejecientes corren el riesgo de la posibilidad de la colocación en un asilo. La decisión del
estado para cortar todos los programas de Medicaid por el 10 por ciento para asistir con el equi-
librio del presupuesto es la razón dada para tales cortes drásticos. Las AAA en Kansas han admin-
istrado este programa de una manera eficaz, ahorrando al estado, siendo mucho más barato
mantener a los mayores de edad en su propio hogar, comparado al costo de ellos vivir en un asilo.
La red de servicios para los envejecientes debe ocuparse en la defensa de las personas mas
frágiles y vulnerables que han pagado sus deudas a la sociedad con servicio a este país y con el
trabajo duro con los años de ayuda con sus fondos provenientes de impuestos, para ayudar a
nuestros legisladores a entender el impacto que estos tipos de decisiones tienen para ellos. Es
el deseo de la AAA continuar en nuestra tradición de proporcionar servicios a los mayores de edad
al nivel local de la mejor manera que sabemos y ser firmes en nuestra comisión de ser el solo-
punto-de-entrada a los mayores de edad, siendo el eslabon a la información y a los servicios que
les permiten ser participantes vitales y activos en sus comunidades.
¡Quisiéramos desear a cada uno incluyendo nuestros consumidores, correligionarios, abastece-
dores y al resto de nuestra comunidad un Año Nuevo muy feliz y bendecido!
Volume 18 - Issue 1 Page 2 SENIOR ADVOCACY
The Kansas Area Agencies on Aging Association
(K4A) represents the 11 Area Agencies on Aging
(AAA) in Kansas that collectively serve all 105
counties in the state.
Budget Priorities:
Restoration of $1,891,094 Essential Base
Funding and Nutrition Programs for the AAAs.
Without funding restoration, senior nutrition
programs will be seriously cut or eliminated.
Restoration of $1,258,588 in funding for the
Senior Care Act Program in fiscal year 2011
budget. Without in-home services, seniors’
only choices are either risk doing without ser-
vices or enter nursing homes.
Legislation:
To enact the geriatric mental health act; es-
tablishing a geriatric mental health educa-
tion, outreach and service program.
To have Kansas enact minimum qualifica-
tions and training standards for all paid home
health workers serving seniors.
For more information, please contact Craig
Kaberline, Executive Director, K4A at 785-267-
1336 or k4aed@hotmail.com.
The following are bills and resolutions passed by
the 2009 session of the Silver Haired Legislature
for consideration by the State of Kansas 2010
Regular Legislative Session:
Bill No. 2601- (NEW) An Act concerning the
Grandparents as Caregivers Act; relating to eli-
gibility requirements.
Resolution No. 2602- (NEW) A Resolution urg-
ing the legislature to provide an affordable and
accessible transportation system for senior citi-
zens.
Bill No. 2603- (Amendment) An Act concerning
the establishment of a state long-term care vet-
erans’ ombudsman position.
Bill No. 2604- (Amendment) A Resolution urg-
ing the legislature to enact legislation to help
combat predatory payday lending practices and
to regulate or prohibit income tax refund ad-
vance lending practices that adversely affect
elderly.
Bill No. 2605- (Amendment) An Act relating to
insurance; concerning the mandatory reinstate-
ment of certain insurance policies in case of
mental incapacity of an insured.
Resolution No. 2606- (NEW) A Resolution com-
mending the legislature for providing continued
retirement benefits through a defined benefit
plan under the Kansas Public Employees Re-
tirement System (KPERS) and continuing to an-
nually increase the funding of KPERS toward
an actuarially recommended amount.
Resolution No. 2607- (NEW) A Resolution con-
cerning the Grandparents as Caregivers Pro-
gram.
For more information, copies of the bills, or to contact
your State of Kansas representative, please call the
Kansas Legislative Hotline at 1-800-432-3924.
SILVER HAIRED LEGISLATURE BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS FOR 2010
Contact your local representatives to
voice your opinion regarding issues
that are important to you.
K4A 2010 PUBLIC POLICY GOALS
Page 3 Volume 18 - Issue 1 HEALTHY AGING
W E L L N E S S C E N T E R S C H O L A R S H I P S
The Wyandotte/Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging (AAA)
will not offer scholarship awards for the Spring Session at
the Kansas City Kansas Community College.
Scholarships for the summer session will be available on
a very limited basis. The summer session will run from
June 2, 2010 through July 19, 2010; participants of the
summer session may begin working out on May 14th.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to con-
tact the AAA office at 913-573-8531.
M E D I C A R E M E M O
Did you receive a letter from your Medicare Advantage Plan (MA) or Prescription Drug plan (PD)
stating that your coverage would end December 31, 2009? If you received this information and
did not make the necessary changes required to have medical and or prescription drug coverage
available January 1, 2010, we have good news for you. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services (CMS) has extended the Special Enrollment Period (SEP) until January 31, 2010.
If you are in a MA plan:
Beneficiaries who make no choice during the Annual Enrollment Plan (AEP) will revert
to Original Medicare. You will have a Medigap guaranteed issue right. If the non-
renewing plan is a Medicare Advantage with Prescription Drug Coverage and the
beneficiary does not choose a Part D plan, he or she will have no drug coverage on
January 1. There is an extended Special Enrollment Period (SEP) through January to
choose a plan effective February 1, 2010.
If you are in a Part D plan:
Beneficiaries who make no choice during the AEP will have no drug coverage on
January 1, 2010. There is an extended SEP (through January) to choose a plan effec-
tive February 1, 2010.
The termination letters apply mainly to this group of Medicare beneficiaries.
For Dual-eligible Beneficiaries & Other Beneficiaries with LIS (Low Income Subsidy), please
contact 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or contact the Wyandotte/Leavenworth Area Agency
on Aging at 913-573-8531 and ask to speak with a SHICK Counselor (Senior Health Insurance
A W O R K O U T A L T E R N A T I V E A T V E R N O N S E N I O R C E N T E R
The Wyandotte/Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging (AAA)
currently provides a personal trainer for seniors, 60 yrs.
and older at the Vernon Senior Center on Tuesdays and
Thursdays for a one hour “work out” session beginning at
10am through February 16, 2010.
Page 4 Volume 18 - Issue 1 S EN IO R NEWS & ANN O UNC EMEN TS
The 2009 Utility Tax Rebates will be accepted from
January 4, 2010 - March 31, 2010. Questions regard-
ing the application process may be directed to the
Unified Government’s Clerks office at 913-573-5260.
To qualify, you must:
Have a total household income of less than
$25,000
Live in Kansas City, Kansas (residents of Bonner
Springs and Edwardsville are not eligible)
Born before January 1, 1944.
Wyandotte/Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging will
assist with applications by appointment only. You
may call for appointments beginning January 4, 2010
at 913-573-8531.
U T I L I T Y TA X R E B A T E S H O M E S T E A D TA X
The Homestead Refund is a rebate program for rent-
ers and homeowners who pay property taxes. The
refund is based on a portion of the property tax paid
on a Kansas resident’s homestead. If you own your
home, the refund is a percentage of your general
property tax. If you rent your home, 15% of the rent
paid for occupancy is used as the property tax
amount. The maximum refund is $700.
To qualify, you must be a Kansas resident living in
Kansas the entire year. Your total household income
must be $29,700 or less.
You must also meet one of the following require-
ments:
Be 55 years of age or older, OR
Be blind or disabled, OR
Have a dependent child under 18 who lived with
you all year whom you claim as a personal
exemption.
The 2010 Census is your community’s voice in government. That’s why it’s so important that
you fill in the form and promptly mail it back. When you do the math, it's easy to see what an
accurate count of residents can do for your community; better infrastructure, more services,
and a brighter tomorrow for everyone. In fact, the information the census collects helps deter-
mine how more than $400 billion dollars of federal funding each year is spent on infrastruc-
ture and services such as, hospitals, job training centers, schools, senior centers, bridges,
other-public works projects and emergency services, etc.
Volume 18 - Issue 1 Page 5 S EN IO R NEWS & ANN O UNC EMEN TS
C O L D W E A T H E R RU L E
2 bdr. 2 bath duplexes (856 sq.ft.) attached garages private patios
appliances included (washer/dryer included) home health and chore services available
shuttle transportation home-delivered meals social service provider on-site manager
24/7 emergency maintenance $475 - $775 per month rent (based on income)
Contact Us Today: (816) 572-6281 | E-mail: Info@PembertonKCK.com www.PembertonKCK.com | 1700 North 82nd Street, Kansas City, Kansas
L OW I N C O M E E N E RG Y A S S I S TA N C E P RO G R A M ( L I E A P )
The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) is a federally funded
program that helps eligible households pay a portion of their home energy
costs by providing a one-time per year benefit.
The application period is January 19, 2010 to March 31, 2010.
In order to qualify, applicants must meet the following requirements:
1) An adult living at the address must be personally responsible for pur-
chasing heating costs, payable either to the landlord or to the fuel
vendor.
2) Applicants must demonstrate a recent history of payments.
3) The combined gross income (before deductions) of all persons living
at the address may not exceed guidelines listed below:
For more information or to request
an application, please call 1-800-
432-0043 OR Kansas City SRS at
(913) 279-7000 or Leavenworth
SRS (913) 651-6200.
Persons
Living at the
Address
2010 Maximum
Allowable Monthly
Income
1 $1,174
2 $1,579
+ add $406 for each
additional person
The Cold Weather Rule ensures
you will have electric and gas ser-
vices for your home during the
winter. You must make pay ar-
rangements with your utility com-
pany to use the Rule and pay your
current bill in full while paying off
the overdue amount.
The Kansas Corporation Commis-
sion (KCC) wants Kansans to have
the electric and gas service
needed to keep their homes warm
during the winter. The KCC also
recognizes the customer’s respon-
sibility to make arrangements to
pay for that service. The Cold
Weather Rule was designed in
1983 to ensure that both goals
are met.
Questions? 1-800-662-0027
Para usar estas lineas llame al
1-800-662-0027.
Page 6 Volume 18 - Issue 1 ALL ABOUT AGING
Appreciation is extended to the following who have contributed toward the cost of this newsletter.
Names are listed in alphabetical order.
Leonard Becicka Vera Armstong
Willita Cole Margaret Fraundorfer
Corinne Massey Mabel Noland
A friendly reminder; to offset the cost of this publication,
donations to the newsletter are always welcome.
T H E D E M E N T I A C R I S I S B R I D G E P R O J E C T
The Wyandotte/Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging
(AAA) would like to introduce Amy Yeager, Dementia
Crisis Coordinator, with the Alzheimer’s Association -
Heart of America Chapter. Amy is working with the AAA
and other community partners to assist individuals
with dementia and their caregiver(s) with the behav-
ioral and affective challenges that often accompany
the disease process, i.e. anxiety, depression, agitation,
etc. The Dementia Crisis Bridge Project focuses on
providing interventions to reduce/
prevent behavioral and mood re-
lated symptoms, while offering
support to promote quality of life
for the person with dementia and
their caregiver(s). To find out
more about this program and to
be referred for services, contact
(913) 573-8531.
S E N I O R C A R E A C T A N D H O M E A N D C O M M U N I T Y
B A S E D P RO G R A M S
When a senior citizen calls our office to receive
assistance at home, he or she will be referred to
the Senior Care Act (SCA) or the Home and Com-
munity Based Services (HCBS) programs. You
may be asking yourself what these programs do
for the elderly.
The SCA Program provides assistance with
housekeeping, personal care and case manage-
ment services. Case Management can assist sen-
iors by linking them to other community
resources. This program is funded with Kansas
state dollars. The Area Agency on Aging contracts
with home health agencies to provide the person-
nel to serve clients at home.
The HCBS Program serves those seniors whose
medical needs may qualify them for long term
care. This program offers housekeeping, personal
care, wellness monitoring, emergency response,
case management and adult day care services.
Clients who receive HCBS services must be Medi-
caid approved.
As you can see both programs provide opportuni-
ties for seniors with a primary focus on maintain-
ing independence in their own home and commu-
nities. If you are in need of assistance or know of
someone who needs help, please don’t hesitate
to contact us at (913) 573-8531.
K A N S A S F O O D S A L E S TA X
This program offers a refund of the sales tax paid on food.
To qualify you must be a Kansas resident, living in Kansas
the entire year. Your Kansas qualifying income must be
$31,900 or less. The refund is claimed on the Kansas indi-
vidual Income Tax Return.
You must also meet one of the following requirements:
Be 55 years of age or older, OR
Be blind or disabled, OR
Have a dependent child under 18 who lived with you all
year whom you claim as a personal exemption.
Page 7 Volume 18 - Issue 1 FUN FACTS
“ W E L C O M E I N T H E N E W Y E A R ” WO R D S E A RC H
E N T E R TO W I N
Find and circle all the words that
are hidden in the grid.
D I D YO U K N O W. . .
Answer all questions correctly to enter a drawing for a $30 gift card for Price Chopper, compliments of: Adult Health Services. Return entry form to:
Wy/Lv AAA, Attn: The Communicator, 1300 North 78th Street,
Suite 100, Kansas City, Kansas 66112 by January 29, 2010.
1. Income level for Senior Citizens Utility Tax Rebate cannot ex-ceed __________________.
2. Which two days of the week is the AAA providing a personal trainer at the Vernon Senior Center until February 16, 2010? ____________________
3. What is the name of the AAA funded transportation program that only travels within the WyCo limits?________________
NAME: _____________________________________________
ADDRESS: _________________________________________
CITY, STATE, ZIP: ___________________________________
PHONE #: _________________________________________
Congratulations to JoAnn Zewalk, our November/December winner!
B L A W Z P V Q A J W Z M K Q N Y
I L L O F R R E S O L U T I O N A
R A H N D E L I N C O L N T Y S D
T B E S E S H O S E X T G J U V G
H T A A O I S W V E W N D P A W O
D O R B V D E W Z E I Y E L R Y H
A O T X X E I E E H S R E H E V D
Y F S M T N S C S E B N R A D A N
S Q I S I T T A E O T D E U R V U
N F T N K S W D W I V H I K L I O
C R G U S D R L N D N O E P D F R
V K W O A A S E S S I K T A U I G
H U G S Z Y S U U O D B W T R C J
D R P Z E D E T A L O C O H C T L
L I I V A Y R O T S I H K C A L B
V L O Y B T I N G S B T S D U Y I
B L A Y B D G P L G F Y Q G A O J
… that Martin Luther King, Jr’s efforts were not lim-
ited to securing civil rights; he also spoke out against
poverty and the Vietnam War.
...the elephant is the only animal with 4 knees.
… that 73% of Valentine Day flowers are bought by
men, whereas women buy only 23% of Valentine
flowers.
...the average person spends about 2 years on the
phone in a lifetime.
...that Kansas became the 34th state in 1861.
...that in the Middle Ages, there was a belief that the
first unmarried person of the opposite sex you met
on the morning of St. Valentines' Day would become
your spouse.
...that there are 10 human body parts that are only 3
letters long (eye, hip, arm, leg, ear, toe, jaw, rib, lip,
and gum).
..that Dodge City, Kansas is the windiest city in the
United States.
BIRTHDAYS CHOCOLATE
FOOTBALL HUGS
LINCOLN PRESIDENTS DAY
SNOW SWEETS
BLACK HISTORY CUPID
GROUNDHOG DAY ICE
LOVE RED
SUPERBOWL VALENTINES DAY
BLIZZARD FLURRIES
HEARTS KISSES
NEW YEAR RESOLUTION
SWEETHEART WASHINGTON
Adult
Health
Services
1999 North 77th Street, Kansas City, Kansas 66112
913-788-9896
Services Offered:
Home Care Aides, Homemaker Services, Hospice, Personal Care, Private Duty, Respite Care
The Communicator is published bi-monthly by Information
and Assistance for Older Americans, a unit of the Wyan-
dotte/Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging, Security Bank
Building, 1300 North 78th Street, Suite 100, Kansas City,
Kansas 66112. It is funded by the Kansas Department
on Aging through the Older Americans’ Act. We assume no
responsibility for the care and return of unsolicited mate-
rial. Donations are suggested.
For more information call the Information & Assistance
Department at 913-573-8531.
Information & Assistance does not discriminate on the
basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, or
handicap. If you feel you have been discriminated against,
you may file a complaint with the Wyandotte/Leavenworth
Area Agency on Aging by calling 913-573-8531, or for the
hearing impaired TDD 1-800-766-3777.
PRESORTED STANDARD
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
KANSAS CITY, KS
PERMIT NO. 241
THE COMMUNICATOR
Publisher:
Information and Assistance for Older Americans
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Ruth E. Jones
Emma Fonseca - Contributing Editor
Linda Ramirez - Formatting Editor
Alison Roush - Content Editor
LaMonica Upton - Contributing Editor
Wyandotte/Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging
Security Bank Building
1300 North 78th Street, Suite 100
Kansas City, Kansas 66112-2406
913-573-8531
913-573-8577 FAX
IS THIS NEWSLETTER REACHING YOU?
Please notify us of any change in address. If the address
label is incorrect, please call THE COMMUNICATOR office at
913-573-8531 or write us at the address listed above.
Also, please notify us if you receive more than one copy.
THANK YOU
JANUARY OBSERVANCES
New Year’s Day - 1st (AAA offices closed)
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - 18th (AAA offices closed)
National Glaucoma Awareness Month
FEBRUARY OBSERVANCES
Groundhog Day - 1st
Unified Government Furlough Day - 12th (AAA offices closed)
Valentine’s Day - 14th
Presidents Day - 15th (AAA offices closed)
Black History Month