As another year comes to an end, and I

search for some heartfelt words or

thoughts to pass on to you, I thought

about one of my favorite poems written

by Robert H. Smith. One reason this

poem was so poignant to me at this

time, was due to the recent passing of

Elizabeth Edwards. Like so many others

I was struck by the grace and dignity

she showed as she faced insurmount-

able obstacles in her life. In her passing, she reminded me

to re-focus and place more emphasis on those things in

life that are most important to me. For many of us who

take for granted this life and those things most important

to us, family, friends and faith, Elizabeth lived knowing

her days were numbered and prioritized her last days on

these areas of importance. My hope for all of us is that as

we take the time to reflect on this past year, going for-

ward we will make sure we spend time enjoying those

things that bring us the greatest pleasure and peace in our

own personal lives.

The staff of the Wyandotte/Leavenworth Area Agency

would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year. Providing

quality services to our senior constituents has always been

our motto, so we will continue toiling in that tradition for

the coming year and our hope for each of you is that while

you continue ticking through 2011, it will become the best

year of your life!

Words From The Director

A W Y A N D O T T E / L E A V E N W O R T H A R E A A G E N C Y O N A G I N G P U B L I C A T I O N

Volume 19, Issue 1

January - February 2011 60Plus?...Call on Us!

Mientras que otro año acaba, y busco algunas palabras o pen-samientos sentidos para compartir con ustedes, pensé en uno de mis poemas preferidos escritos por Roberto H. Smith. Una razón este poema es tan conmovedor para a mí en este tiempo, es debido al reciente fallecimiento de Elizabeth Ed-wards. Como muchos otros me asombro la dignidad y la toler-ancia que ella demostró mientras ella se enfrentaba a ob-stáculos insuperables en su vida. En su fallecimiento, ella me recordó de renfocar y poner más énfasis en esas cosas en la vida que son más importantes para mí. Para muchos de nosotros para quienes tomamos por concedido esta vida y esas cosas más importantes para nosotros, la familia, los amigos y la fe, Elizabeth vivió sabiendo que sus días estaban contados y en us últimos días le dio prioridad a estas áreas de importancia. Mi esperanza para todos nosotros es que tomemos el tiempo para reflexionar lo que ha pasado en este último año, al ir adelante nos cercioremos de disfrutar esas cosas que nos traigan el mayor placer y la paz en nues-tras vidas.

EL RELOJ DE LA VIDA El reloj de la vida se le da cuerda

pero una vez

y ningun hombre tiene la energía

Para decir en el momento en que las

manos pararán

en la hora última o temprana

Para perder la riquezas es muy triste

de hecho

perder la salud es mucho más

Para perder el alma es tal pérdida

que ningun hombre puede restaurar

El presente es nuestro solamente

Vive, ama, trabaja con gana-

No ponga su fe en el mañana-

Porque el reloj puede entonces

pararse.

El personal de la Agencia de Servicios para Envejecientes de Wyandotte y Leavenworth les quisiera desear a ustedes un Feliz Año Nuevo. ¡Proporcionar servicios de calidad a nuestros constituyentes mayores de edad ha sido siempre nuestro lema, así que continuaremos trabajando en esa tra-dición por el año que viene y nuestra esperanza para cada uno de ustedes es que mientras continuen latiendo en 2011, se convertirá en el mejor año de su vida!

Inside this issue:

SENIOR NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

2

SENIOR NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

3

HEALTH & WELLNESS 4

SURVIVING THE WINTER 5

TAX TIME IS HERE 6

ENTERTAINMENT 7

THE CLOCK OF LIFE

The clock of life is wound but once

And no man has the power

To tell just when the hands will stop

At late or early hour

To lose one’s wealth is sad indeed

To lose one’s health is more

To lose one’s soul is such a loss

That no man can restore

The present only is our own

So live, Love, toil with a will

Place no faith in tomorrow

For the clock may then be still

Page 2

Appreciation is extended to the following who have contributed toward the cost of

this newsletter.

Names are listed in alphabetical order.

Robert Anver

Leo Killion

David Kovac

Patricia Smith

Georgia Story

Senior News and Announcements

Meals on Wheels Checkoff

2011 CALENDARS ARE IN!

The Wyandotte/Leavenworth Area Agency

on Aging (AAA) 2011 calendars

are in! Please ask your case

manager for your copy or stop

by the AAA office and pick one

up!

Although the calendars are free to seniors

60 and over, a donation of $3 is suggested.

AARP DRIVING SAFETY PROGRAM

January 20-21, 2010

Leavenworth Council on Aging

1830 S. Broadway

Leavenworth, KS 66048

10am - 3pm

$14 per person

$12 for AARP members

The Senior Citizen Meals on Wheels Contribution Program was created

in 2002 by the Kansas Legislature to allow taxpayers to make voluntary

donations to support home-delivered meals. In 2009, of the 3.4 million

meals served, 1.8 million were home - delivered and 1.6 million were

served at congregate meals sites. Of those receiving home-delivered

meals, 72% were age 75 or older, 68% were women and more than 50%

lived alone.

Any individual receiving a state income tax refund can indicate in the

designated space on the tax form an amount of their refund they would

like to contribute to the Meals on Wheels program. Contributions can

range from $1 to all of their refund.

The federally funded Nutrition Program for the Elderly, which provides

meals to older adults in senior centers, nutrition sites and in their own

home began more than 30 years ago.

If you would like more information about the Meals on Wheels Program,

or would like to make a donation, please contact the Area Agency on

Aging at 913-573-8531.

Support the Meals on Wheels Program

Donate to the

Kansas Meals on

Wheels Fund

through the

income tax

check off!

Elections for the Wyandotte/Leavenworth Silver Haired

Legislature (SHL) are scheduled for March 14, 2011.

Polling places will be announced in the March-April issue

of The Communicator. Seven Wyandotte legislators and

one from Leavenworth County will be elected (or re-

elected) to serve 2 year terms.

Any older adult at least 60 years of age and a regis-

tered voter may qualify by submitting a petition with 50

signatures of registered voters who are at least 60

years old, or by paying a filing fee of $25.

Filing fees must be received by the end of business day

on February 14, 2011.

Checks must be made payable to the Kansas Silver

Haired Legislature and sent to the Wyan-

dotte/Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging located in

the Security Bank Building, 1300 North 78th Street,

Suite 100, Kansas City, Kansas 66112.

A list of candidates and polling places will be published

in the March-April issue of The Communicator and will

be sent to local papers as well. Additional Information

may be obtained by contacting Emma Fonseca at 913-

573-8531.

2011 Election Silver Haired Legislation

Page 3

Senior News and Announcements

The Wyandotte County/KCK Health Department still has plenty of flu vaccines.

The cost to the general public is $25. Remember it takes 10 - 14 days to be effective.

Health Department Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 8:30am - 4:00pm Thursday: 8:30am - 11:00am and 3:00pm - 6:00pm

Questions, please contact the Health Department at 913-321-4803.

Health Department Has Flu Vaccines Available

Flu season generally starts in No-vember, peaks in January, February,

and March, and winds down in May.

Who should get a seasonal flu

shot?

Health experts say that everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year starting with the 2010-2011 influenza season. How-ever, some people are at higher risk of having serious flu-related compli-

cations such as:

Pregnant women

Children younger than 5

People 50 years of age and

older

People with certain chronic

medical conditions

People who live in nursing homes and other long-term

care facilities

People who live with or care for those at high risk for com-

plications from flu

What are the possible side effects

of flu shot?

A vaccine may rarely cause seri-ous problems, such as severe aller-gic reactions. Almost all people who get the influenza vaccine have no serious problems from it. However it may cause temporary side affects, which lasts for a day

or two:

Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given

Fever (low grade)

Aches

Can I get sick with flu-like symptoms even after my flu shot? According to CDC, there could be several reasons for getting flu-like symptoms even after you have been vaccinated against

the flu.

You might be exposed to an in-fluenza virus shortly before get-ting vaccinated or during the two-week period. It takes the body, two weeks, to gain protec-

tion after getting vaccinated.

People may become ill from other (non-flu) viruses that circu-late during the flu season, which can also cause flu-like symptoms

(such as rhinovirus).

Information from: www.knowabouthealth.com

Apply for federal, state, local or spe-cial funds for which you are eligible.

If you are behind in a previous pay-

ment plan and cannot catch up, you will need to make a new payment agreement with the utility.

CAN YOU BE DISCONNECTED DURING THE COLD WEATHER RULE?

A utility cannot disconnect you when the temperature is forecasted to drop below 35 degrees or be in the mid to low 30s in the next 24 hours.

If you can’t pay your entire bill, call your utility company to make pay arrangements:

Agree to pay 1/12th of the overdue amount of your bill, plus 1/12 of your current bill, all disconnection and connection fees, and agree to pay the remainder in equal payments over the next 11 months; or Negotiate a payment plan to pay the over-due amount off sooner than 12 months.

Remember, you must also pay your full bills for new service you use while pay-ing off the overdue amount.

To keep from getting disconnected when it is 35 degrees or above, or to get re-connected regardless of temperature, you must make pay arrangements with your utility company.

For more information, please call the Kansas Corporation Commission at

1-800-662-0027.

The Flu Is Officially In Kansas

WHAT THE “COLD WEATHER RULE” MEANS TO YOU

Brain Exercise

ory attention and decision making skills. His studies show that physical activity appears to be neuro-protective. Along with increased physical activity, changing one’s diet, reducing stress and staying socially engaged, positively affects one’s mental acuity. The Area Agency on Aging recog-nizes the value of an active life-

style. We encourage our seniors to get involved and participate in the various opportunities avail-able in the community to improve their overall health. We devel-oped SeniorFit, a free health and wellness program dedicated to improving the quality of life for seniors in Wyandotte County. So, let’s rock!!

The brain needs exercise as your body does. Scientists know that it is good to give the brain a workout. How do you do that? One of the easiest and simplest way is through plain aerobic exercise or walking. Art Kramer, a cognitive neuroscientist at the University of Illinois found that six weeks of walking for one hour three times a week improves mem-

Page 4

Health & Wellness

TRY THIS TEASER OUT FOR EXERCISE: In this puzzle, three numbers 16, 14, and 38 need to be assigned to one of the rows of numbers to the right. To which row should

each number be assigned? (Hint: This is not a mathematical problem. The numerical values are irrelevant).

Answer to puzzle on page 7 of newsletter.

A 0 6 8 9 3

B 15 27 21 10 19

C 7 1 47 11 17

“SIX WEEKS OF

WALKING FOR

ONE HOUR

THREE TIMES A

WEEK IMPROVES

MEMORY ATTEN-

TION AND DECI-

SION MAKING

SKILLS.”

LIEAP is a federally funded

program that helps eligible

households pay for home en-

ergy costs. The application

period is January 13, 2011

through March 31, 2011.

You may make applications

online at:

www.ks.energyiassistance.com

or by calling 1-800-432-0043.

To get a jump start in gather-

ing information, the website

will begin accepting online

applications on December

28, 2010. However, no bene-

fits will be approved for pay-

ment until the actual program

start date of January 13,

2011.

1) An adult living at the ad-

dress must be personally re-

sponsible for purchasing heat-

ing costs incurred at the current

residence, payable either to

the landlord or to the fuel ven-

dor.

2) Applicants must demonstrate

a recent history of payments

toward purchase of the primary

heating energy.

Benefit levels vary according to

the following factors:

1) Household income

2) Number of persons living at

the address

3) Type of dwelling

4) Type of heating

5) Heating rates

The Kansas Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)

Caregiver Movie Night

The Wyandotte/Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging honored

local caregivers in recognition of National Family Caregivers

Month with a MOVIE NIGHT. A cozy, warm night of relaxation

may do both the caregiver and recipient a wonder of good.

Each Caregiver and Care recipient received:

A FREE Popcorn and Candy Package

A FREE Classic Movie/DVD

A FREE Snuggle Me Blanket

Page 5

Surviving the Winter

7 Tips To Lower Your Winter Bill

Jennifer Long and

Margie Alcanter

prepare “movie

night” gift bags in

honor of national

caregiver month.

1. Lower your thermostat and wear socks and a

sweater in doors. Lowering the thermostat by just

one degree Fahrenheit can reduce energy use

by 3 percent.

2. If you have a forced air furnace, in-

spect your filters at the beginning of

the heating season and monthly as

long as you’ve got the system run-

ning. Clean or replace them if there is

significant dust build up.

3. Install do-it-yourself plastic film storm

windows.

4. Weather strip and caulk windows.

Check window frames for cracks and

fill them with caulk that contains sili-

con. Putty-like “rope caulk” can help

seal large cracks and save you up to 5 percent

on your energy bill.

5. Close the fireplace damper and seal the open-

ing shut when not in use. Never use a traditional

fireplace for supplemental heating. A fireplace

sucks heated air out of your home to fuel the fire;

then your furnace has to turn on to re-

place that warm air.

6. Dispose of older incandescent lights

and buy new LED holiday lights. Older

strings of incandescent lights can use up to

99 percent more energy than new LED

strings. Plus, the wire insulation on older

lights can erode and pose a fire hazard.

Turn on your holiday lights for no more

than 5 hours per day (to keep energy use

down). 7. Close off any unused rooms. Shut the

doors to them but also close the heating

vents. If the room is closed off, it will not need to

be heated as much. The exception to this is if the

room is where the thermostat is located.

SAFE SENIOR is a property tax refund pro-

gram that is administered under the provi-

sions of the Kansas Homestead Act

(property tax refund) by the Kansas De-

partment of Revenue. SAFE SENIOR is also

referred to as “Kansas Property Tax Relief

for Low Income Seniors.”

WHO QUALIFIES FOR A SAFE SENIOR RE-FUND? A Kansas resident all of 2010, who owned a home in Kansas during 2010, who was age 65 or older for all of 2010 (born before January 1, 1945) and who had a household income of $17,500 or less in 2010. HOW MUCH IS THE REFUND? The refund is 45% of the 2010 general property tax paid or to be paid-as shown on the 2010 real estate tax statement for

the residence in which the claimant lived in 2010. The 2010 property tax consists of the 1st half which is due in December 2010 and the 2nd half which is due in May 2010. The property tax is the total of both the 1st and 2nd half taxes. THE 1ST HALF OF THE 2010 GENERAL PROPERTY TAXES MUST BE ACTUALLY PAID AND HAD BEEN PAID IN A TIMELY MANNER. There is no limit as to the amount of the SAFE SENIOR refund, although, the appraised value of the residence can not exceed $350,000. What is “household income” for SAFE SEN-IOR PURPOSES? It is federally all income

taxable and nontaxable received by all household members during 2010. IN-CLUDING 100% OF SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS RECEIVED. Household income does not include: Social Security (DISABILITY) payments, SSI (DISABILITY) payments, Railroad (DISABILITY) pay-ments or Veterans (DISABILITY) pay-ments. May I receive both a Homestead refund and a SAFE SENIOR refund? No, a claimant may receive either a Home-stead or a SAFE SENIOR refund, but not both. Customers who need help are encour-aged to call the Kansas Taxline at 1-785-368-8222.

Safe Senior (Kansas Property Tax Relief for Low Income Seniors)

Utility Tax Rebate

Page 6

Tax Time Is Here

www.assistedcompanies.com

Transportation Services

Attendant Care Services

Homemaker/Companion Services

“meeting your home health

and transportation needs”

1625 S. 45th St.

Kansas City, KS 66106

(913) 262-3100 Home

Health

The Homestead Refund is a rebate program for the property taxes paid by homeowners and renters. 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 prop-erty 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 $31,300 or less.

You must also meet one of the following requirements:

You were born before January 1, 1954; OR

You must have been totally and permanently disabled or blind dur-ing the entire year, regardless of your age; OR

You must have had a dependent child living with you all of last year who was born before January 1, 2009, and was under the age of 18 the entire year.

The Food Sales Tax offers a refund of the sales tax paid on food for certain qualifying individuals. To qualify, you must be a Kansas resident, living in Kansas the entire year. Your Kansas qualifying income must be $31,900 or less and 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

Kansas Homestead and Food Sales Tax

The 2010 Utility Tax Rebates will be accepted from January 3, 2011 - March 31, 2011. Questions regarding 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, 1945. Wyandotte/Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging will assist with applica-tions by appointment only on Tuesdays and Thursdays only. You may call for appointments to 913-573-8531.

Entertainment

L I N C O L N S B I R T H D A Y W C S W

B X Z X U Y O S D N O M A I D T H T S E

O F L V I A S U P E R B O W L O R N U A

D C D S K I I N G K N C A O E P T L U Z

D Q H E Z X B Y S P O E I K R C H T V I

I H T E D P L X Q L H T E E Y H E Y E W

T L R Z L T C U A B U L S I R A R A K A

G N I K R E H T U L N I T R A M I D A Y

E E B T N Y E E O R D N Y G S P Z S C Y

V R S P Y Y A S R E O N F B R A A R P B

L R N I R T E D N M N S A A E G T A U A

O A O U C R A T G U O L E L M N I E C T

O N T X L R S X B O L S O S A E O Y O E

M J G L L D E W R O H V T Q E D N W M D

K U N M A Y O X O E E D G A R I B E W D

I P I Y Q N B N E S B O N I T E H N K Y

M C H E S B S U L M C A A U S T B E C B

A D S E N I T N E L A V T D O V E Y Y E

J B A N O I S E M A K E R E F R V X N A

M E W M S T A H Y T R A P T Q S G O V R

WELCOMING IN THE NEW YEAR! Find and circle all the words that are hidden in the grid.

Congratulations to Dorothy Clark, our November/December winner! Dorothy

won a $25 gift card to Quik Trip, compli-ments of Victory Hills Senior Living.

Answer all questions correctly to enter a drawing for a $25

gift card to Wal-Mart compliments of: Grace Hospice.

Return entry form to:

Wy/Lv AAA, Attn: The Communicator, 1300 North 78th

Street, Suite 100, KCK 66112 by February 1, 2011.

1. Who wrote the poem quoted in the article written by

the director of the AAA? ______________________

2. Name one of the tips to lower your winter bill.

__________________________________________

3. What is the filing fee to become a Silver Haired Legis-

lator? ____________________________________

NAME: ______________________________________

ADDRESS: __________________________________

CITY, STATE, ZIP: ____________________________

PHONE #: __________________________________

Be sure to complete and

return your entry for a

chance to win a $25 gift card

to Wal-Mart compliments of

Grace Hospice!

FUN FACTS The tallest president was Lincoln at 6’ 4”; at 5’4”,

Madison was the shortest.

Ronald Reagan was the oldest person to be elected

as president at 69 years of age. The youngest was

Kennedy at age 43. However, Roosevelt was the

youngest man to become president - he was 42

when he succeeded McKinley, who had been assas-

sinated.

In the United States, over 1 billion valentine cards

are sent each year; 85% are women.

Richard Cadbury invented the first Valentine’s

Day candy box in the late 1800’s.

BALLOONS PINK

CHAMPAGNE PRESIDENT’S DAY

CHOCOLATE RED

CUPCAKE RESOLUTIONS

DIAMONDS ROSES

DIET SKIING

EXERCISE SNOW BUNNY

GROUNDHOG DAY STREAMERS

HEARTS SUPERBOWL

LINCOLNS BIRTHDAY TEDDY BEAR

LOVE THERMOSTAT

MARTIN LUTHER KING UTILITY TAX REBATE

NEW YEARS DAY VALENTINES DAY

NOISEMAKER WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY

PARTY HATS WEATHERIZATION

Puzzle Answer: The numbers are organized by shape! In Row A, all the numbers have rounded shapes; In Row C, all the num-bers have linear shapes; Row B is mix of curves and lines. Therefore, 16 goes to B, 14 goes to C and 38 goes to A.

Page 7

Wyandotte/Leavenworth

Area Agency on Aging

1300 North 78th Street, Suite 100

Kansas City, Kansas 66112

Phone: 913-573-8531

Fax: 913-573-8577

E-mail: 60plus@wycokck.org

Website: www.wycokck.org/aging

THE COMMUNICATOR

Publisher:

Wyandotte/Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Ruth E. Jones

Emma Fonseca - Contributing Editor

Linda Ramirez - Formatting Editor

LaMonica Upton - Contributing Editor

The Communicator is published bi-monthly by the Wyan-

dotte/Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging. It is funded by

the Kansas Department on Aging through the Older Ameri-

cans’ Act. We assume no responsibility for the care and return

of unsolicited material. Donations are suggested.

If you need assistance call the Wyandotte/Leavenworth Area

Agency on Aging at 913-573-8531.

The Wyandotte/Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging does

not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, na-

tional origin, sex, or handicap.

If you feel you have been discriminated against, you may file

a complaint with the Kansas Department on Aging at 1-800-

432-3535.

PRESORTED STANDARD

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

KANSAS CITY, MO

PERMIT NO. 1332

IS THIS NEWSLETTER REACHING YOU?

Please notify us of any change in address. If the

address label is incorrect, please call THE COMMU-

NICATOR 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

AAA FUNDED PROGRAMS

Transportation

Demand Response

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

DATES TO REMEMBER

New Year’s Day

January 1, 2011

&

Martin Luther King Day

January 17, 2011

Unified Government

offices closed

Presidents’ Day

February 21, 2010

Unified Government

offices closed

Are you

60Plus?...Call on Us!