2010 THE COMMUNICATOR · 2017-06-29 · combat predatory payday lending practices and to regulate...

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 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 [email protected].

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

mailto:[email protected]

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.

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 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: [email protected] 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.

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.

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

2010 THE COMMUNICATOR · 2017-06-29 · combat predatory payday lending practices and to regulate...

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Transcript of 2010 THE COMMUNICATOR · 2017-06-29 · combat predatory payday lending practices and to regulate...