The Wyandotte – Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging can help senior citizens and disabled people find programs that can help them. The agency can help connect individuals with local resources like food assistance or free or low-cost medical care. The team members at the organization are knowledgeable about the different types of assistance programs available in the area.
The case managers can help older people identify and locate services that can respond to the questions, needs and concerns of senior citizens or their caregivers, as well as help with any other needs they may have. The center can provide help and support to anyone who needs it. The non-profit has programs that are funded by the federal government. These programs are for low-income residents who are at or below the federal poverty guidelines.
This program helps seniors find and use services that are available to them. The also advise them to speak with a senior financial aid representative about taking out loans while waiting for social security.
Case managers from the Wyandotte – Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging often meet with the older person’s family members to provide support and information. If you are not a senior or an adult, you cannot participate. This is done to provide coordinated services to meet one or more needs of seniors through the Senior Care and Older Americans Acts. This means that someone may be recommended to use the homemaker program, or to have someone help them with their daily activities.
In home and nursing home care for senior citizens
The Wyandotte-Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging relies on Older Americans’ Act and Senior Care funding to stay operational. One way to cover the cost of in-home care services instead of nursing home care is to use government benefits. This service is paid for in part by the state, and clients are required to pay a copay, with the amount determined by income. To be eligible for these services, the individual must be 60 years of age or older. Services can include Wellness Monitoring, Adult Day Care, Personal Emergency Response System, Toileting, Bathing, Nurse Evaluations, Meal Preparation, or House Cleaning.
If you want to get nursing home care in the Wyandotte-Leavenworth area, you need to go through the Client Assessment, Referral, and Evaluation process first. The process must be done before going into the building.
The CARE assessment process is a way to evaluate someone’s health and abilities. It typically takes a short period of time and consists of a form developed by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. This interview is conducted as a personal interview between any caregiver, a CARE assessor, or even the individual seeking care or the person who may be family or a guardian/conservator.
This meeting with a CARE assessor provides an opportunity to explore and discuss available long-term care options that can be offered by the aging center. There are programs that can help pay for home care, like PACE. The goal is to help the person figure out what kind of long-term care services they need and to gather information about the demand for community-based or home services.
Free home, home repairs, and medical equipment
Food assistance and nutrition programs may offer free or discounted meals to adults over the age of 60 to help them maintain a healthy diet. Home-delivery services are available for seniors who are not able to leave their homes because of physical or mental limitations. One meal is served per day in Wyandotte and Kansas City. This is done at places where people can go to get information about nutrition. To find free food pantries in Wyandotte County, search online for ‘Wyandotte County food pantries’ or ‘food banks in Wyandotte County.’
The Wyandotte Caregiver Program helps and supports adults who are taking care of someone else. Many people help out disabled family members, the elderly, and/or young children. Being a caregiver is a difficult job. This often means that they have to spend their own money and use their free time to do this. Caregiving can often be very demanding and lead to caregivers feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and overworked. This can also lead to physical and mental strain on the caregiver.
The Caregiver Program helps by providing various types of assistance, such as training, information, attendant and/or personal care, counseling, and support groups. Even older relatives can get involved.
The Lending Closet for Medical Appliances from Wyandotte – Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging has some items that can be borrowed for a short period of time for people who can’t afford to buy them. There are various mobility aids that can be used to help people move around independently. These include walkers, canes, knee walkers, wheelchairs, grab bars, and commodes. A small number of adult diapers are available from the aging center.
The Wyandotte – Leavenworth Aging Home Maintenance Program helps seniors who don’t have the support system or resources to make needed minor home repairs. Some volunteers may help with lawn care and snow removal for a limited time each year. This service is also available for qualifying seniors.
There are many reasons why elderly people or those with disabilities are unable to do things around the house such as seasonal chores or minor repairs. Some people may not be able to do everything they need to do because they are sick, injured, or have recently been in the hospital, and they need help for a short time. There are other free services that can help repair homes for elderly people.
Some seniors in the region need help to be able to keep living safely and independently in their own homes. The Chores and More Program may be able to do work for people who need assistance. The needed tasks are completed by screened private contractors and by volunteers from churches, schools and non-profit community organizations.
Wyandotte County Senior centers
The Senior Center sites in Kansas City and Wyandotte offer a variety of activities and services that people can take advantage of. They may provide assisted transportation, telephoning, and free health screenings.
The centers are great places to socialize, share meals, use computers, work out, and enjoy recreational activities. In order to participate at the Senior Centers, individuals must be 60 years of age or older.
Apply for help from Wyandotte/Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging
If you are retired, a senior citizen, or disabled, you can get help. The non-profit provides support for caregivers as well. The Wyandotte/Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging is located at 849-C, N 47th St, Kansas City, KS 66102. Call the number 913-573-8531.