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THE COMMUNICATOR A Wyandotte/Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging Publication

current topics >>>

Beating the Heat

Financial Exploitation

Open House

Read Your Mail

Older Americans’ Month

Celebration

Fireworks in Wyandotte

County

Donation of Flowers

JULY/AUGUST 2014 VOLUME 22, ISSUE 4

Ruth E. Jones, Executive Director

CENTERFOLD:

Photos of the Sock Hop

Lift Chair Winner

When meteorologists use terms like “extreme

heat” or “excessive heat,” they mean more than

just discomfort from hot weather. What they

describe is a level of high temperatures and high

humidity that is potentially dangerous, one from

which people should seek relief as soon as

possible.

What should you do?

If a period of extreme heat is forecast for your area, take the following precautions:

If you have air conditioning already installed, make sure it works properly be-

fore the summer months.

Install window air conditioners snugly; insulate them if necessary. Check your

home’s air conditioning ducts for proper insulation.

Install temporary window reflectors, such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard,

between windows and drapes to reflect heat back outside.

Install weather stripping on your home’s doors and windowsills to keep cool air

in and hot air out.

Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades,

awnings or louvers, which can reduce the heat entering a home by up to 80

percent.

Keep storm windows in place year-round.

If you don’t have air conditioning, open your windows during the coolest part

of the day and keep fresh air moving around your home with circulating fans.

Drink plenty of cool non-alcoholic liquids, especially water.

Protect your face and head with a wide-brimmed hat, and wear light colored

clothing to reflect sunlight (dark clothing more readily absorbs sunlight).

Keep pets indoors and refill their water bowls frequently.

Take the proper precautions when excessive summer

heat shines down on your area.

Vea la pagina 3 la version en Español

BEATING THE HEAT

PAGE 2

OPEN HOUSE HELD Area Agency on Aging & Disability Resource Center

WATCH OUT FOR FINANCIAL

EXPLOITATION

Financial exploitation of elders is com-plex and in some instances, accompa-

nied by other forms of elder abuse.

According to a study by the National Cen-ter on Elder Abuse, financial abuse ac-counted for about 12% of all elder abuse reported na-

tionally.

Elderly victims experiencing hybrid finan-cial exploitation (that is, financial exploi-tation along with abuse or neglect) tend-ed to be financially independent but were physically dependent. They have significant health problems, are unable to drive and are to some degree,

dependent on others for assistance.

Family, friends, neighbors, caregivers, fiduciaries, business people and others may try to take advantage of you. They may take your money without permis-sion, neglect to repay the money owed to you, charge too much for services or not perform the services you paid them to do. If any of these things happen, it is an example of financial exploitation or financial abuse.

Look for these common signs of financial

exploitation:

You think some money or property is

missing.

Your family says that some of your

money or property is missing.

You notice that you’re unable to pay

bills that are normally paid.

You are asked to withdraw large

amounts of money.

If you feel that you’ve been taken

advantage of, report it!

You may contact Adult Protective

Services at 1-800-922-5330.

The Wyandotte/Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging & Disability Resource Center hosted an Open House on June 12, 2014. The event was open to the public and of-fered building tour, information regarding services, door prizes, popcorn, lemonade

and were able to dance to the sounds of DJ Suave.

ACTION COFFEE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION

COMPASSIONATE CARE HOSPICE

KANSAS CITY AREA TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY

ESSENTIAL HOME HEALTH LIBERTY FRUIT

HOME DEPOT T-BONES BASEBALL

PAGE 3

READ YOUR MAIL!

We receive a lot of mail everyday. So many times we

put the mail aside and forget to open it creating havoc at

a later date. We strongly encourage our readers to

open and read your mail. Most of us deal with organiza-

tions such as, insurance companies, government agen-

cies, banking institutions and similar types of organiza-

tions. Not reading your mail in a timely manner can ad-

versely impact your financial and physical well being.

Seniors and their caregivers

can contact our office to help

them read and better under-

stand the correspondence

they receive. Many times a

point of clarification is what is

needed; other times a quick

phone call to the organization that sent the letter pre-

vents any legal or monetary penalty.

Cuando los meteorólogos utilizan términos como "calor extremo" o "calor excesivo", eso significa algo más que la simple molestia de calor. Lo que describen es un nivel de altas temperaturas y alta humedad que es potencialmente peligroso, uno de los cuales la gen-te debe buscar ayuda lo antes posible. ¿Qué debe hacer? Si un período de calor extremo se proyecta en su área, tome las precauciones siguientes: Si tiene aire acondicionado ya instalado, asegúrese de que funciona correctamente antes de la tempora-

da de verano. Instale acondicionadores de aire de ventana perfectamente; aislarlos si es necesario. Inspeccione su ho-

gar de conductos de aire acondicionado para un correcto aislamiento. Instale reflectores temporeros en las ventanas, como un cartón cubierto con una hoja de aluminio, entre las ventanas y cortinas

para reflejar el calor exterior. Instale burletes en las puertas de su casa y dinteles para mantener el aire fresco adentro y el caliente afuera Beba muchos líquidos fríos , especialmente el agua. Protega la cara y la cabeza con un sombrero de ala ancha, y use ropa de colores que reflejen la luz del sol (ropa oscura absorbe

más fácilmente la luz del sol). Mantenga las mascotas dentro de la casa y les de beber agua con frecuencia.

Above you will find logos of organizations that send mail/information to a sensitive population. These correspondences may be important as suggested in the above article. Read your mail, especially from these organizations, as they most

likely are time sensitive.

PLEASE NOTE: The Wyandotte/Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging & Disability Resource Center does not endorse unsolicited mail of any kind

from these or other organizations. Be careful of solicitors and “READ YOUR MAIL” thoroughly.

LUCHANDO CON EL CALOR

PAGE 4

OLDER AMERICANS’ MONTH CELEBRATION The Wyandotte/Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging sponsored the 3rd Annual Sock Hop on May 23, 2014. As part of the Older Americans’ Month celebration, over 400 guests enjoyed health screenings, games, food, dance contest and the

opportunity to sing their favorite ballot with karaoke. Here you will find a list of our sponsors and pictures from the event.

PLATINUM SPONSORS

Access Medical LLC

Adult Health Services

Catholic Community Hospice

Encompass Home Health & Hospice

Kendalwood Hospice

Sacred Heart Home Health

GOLD SPONSORS

Best Choice Home Health Care

Coalition for Independence

Home Buddy

United Healthcare Community Plan

SILVER SPONSORS

Dream Works

Medicalodges

Senior Medicare Patrol

Sunshine Home Health Care, Inc.

HEALTH SCREENINGS

Providence Medical Center

Saving Sight

Walgreens

DONATIONS Country Place Senior Living

Dr. William Hartman & Associates

Home Depot

Sun Meadows

PAGE 5

More Sock Hop pictures….

FERREL NEWSON WINNER OF THE LIFT CHAIR!

Access Medical LLC, a medical equipment supplier, has donated a lift chair to the Wyandotte/Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging & Disability Resource Cen-ter’s 2014 Older Americans’ Month Celebration for several years. Nomination

forms were available at the event for those who knew someone in need.

Ms. Newson was nominated by her caregiver and friend, Everlena Johnson.

On June 12, 2014, Access Medical LLC, delivered the brand new ‘lift chair” to Ms. Newson’s home. She was very excited to receive the gift. Thank you Access Medical for providing such a wonderful gift to this senior living in

Wyandotte County.

THANK YOU ACCESS MEDICAL, LLC

PAGE 6

Appreciation is extended to the following who have

contributed toward the cost of this newsletter.

Names are listed in alphabetical order.

Mary Carter (Contributor)

Edwynne V. Harrision (Benefactor)

Linda Lamphear (Contributor)

Anna Todd (Contributor)

Clara Whitaker (Contributor)

David Wigglesworth (Contributor)

If you would like to contribute to the cost of the newsletter, please make checks payable to:

Wyandotte/Leavenworth AAA, 849 North 47th, Suite C, Kansas City, Kansas 66102

A COMMUNITY DONATION T h e W y a n d o t t e /Leavenworth Area Agen-cy on Aging would like to thank Jamie Tigerstrom, Sales Administrative Assistant and the staff of ISC Surfaces for the kind donation of almost 200 homemade flowers. The

flowers were distributed to the Congregate Meal Site participants in Wy-andotte County.

Dear Newsletter Recipient:

For 21 years “The Communicator” has served as a vital means for providing seniors in Wyandotte County im-portant information regarding aging news, events, pro-

grams, services and much more!

We have been able to supply this service on a donation only basis. However, the newsletter’s continuity depends

on your donations for its existence.

Please help us to continue to provide this important

publication by becoming a sponsor!

Respectfully,

The Newsletter Committee

Send Donation to:

Wyandotte/Leavenworth AAA Attn: Newsletter Committee 849 North 47th Street, Suite C Kansas City, Kansas 66102

_____ $100 Advocate defensor

_____ $50 Benefactor benefactor

_____ $25 Patron patrón

_____ $10 Contributor contribuidor

_____ Other otro

¡Necesitamos su ayuda como patrocinador para continuar

con esta publicación importante! ¡Gracias!

Whether you enjoy fireworks or not; they are legal in Wyandotte County. The firework ordinance Sec. 15-93 reads as follows:

Discharging of fireworks shall be allowed only between the hours of 9am to 11pm from July 2 - July 4. No person shall discharge any fireworks at any other times. No person shall ignite or discharge any fireworks within 1,000 feet of any hospital, infirmary or home for the aged. No person shall ignite or discharge any fireworks into, under, or on a car or vehicle, whether it is moving or standing still. Violation of the provisions in this article shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100 or more than $500, by imprisonment in the city jail for a period not exceeding 30 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment in the discretion of the court. Each violation shall constitute a separate offense.

Below are a few fire safety tips, enjoy and be safe!

LEAVE FIREWORKS TO THE PROFESSIONALS

The best way to protect your family is to not use any fireworks at home.

Instead, attend public fireworks displays and leave the lighting to the professionals. If you plan to use fireworks, make sure they are legal in your area.

BE EXTRA CAREFUL WITH SPARKLERS:

Little arms are too short to hold sparklers, which can heat up to 1,200 degrees. How about this? Let your young children use glow sticks instead. They can be just as fun but they don’t burn at a tem-perature hot enough to melt glass.

Closely supervise children around fireworks at all times.

TAKE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS:

Do not wear loose clothing while using fireworks. Never light fireworks indoors or near dry grass. Point fireworks away from homes, and keep away from brush,

leaves and flammable substances.

BE PREPARED FOR AN ACCIDENT OR INJURY

Stand several feet away from lit fireworks. If a device does not go off, do not stand over it to investigate. Put it out with water and dis-pose of it.

Always have a bucket of water and/or a fire extinguisher nearby. Know how to operate the fire extinguisher properly. If a child is in-jured by fireworks, immediately go to a doctor or hospital.

If an eye injury occurs, don’t allow your child to touch or rub it, as this may cause even more damage.

Information provided by www.safekids.org

FIREWORKS IN WYANDOTTE COUNTY

PAGE 7

I V C V S R B H Y E B F T S F L A G L S

Z C Y A E A O E L Y I O N V V B K D E W

T X E M M L F A V R J O B V Y T F S W I

W N M C I P S R E E I G D Z A W C E O M

S U O D R E Z C T N S L A D N A S I T M

S E A L G E R S U N G L A S S E S L H I

F Y P A E A A E D I L S R E T A W P C N

K O R I C M R M F B A C K P A C K P A G

P A U K R Y R I S R E L K R A P S U E P

G L E R L T R E S H S C K T R Z Y S B O

S R A I T E S E T K C O L B N U S L Q O

S T M Y W H I D B A C K T O S C H O O L

N A N O G L O U N X W P E I B I G O K L

F H R E F R N F O A Z C I D U A I H R A

U K S E D I O B J Y S W O C A Q D C O B

S I R A F U H U N U L R A L N R S S W H

T I D O W C T J N T L U A S L I A O E C

F S R S N R H S N D U Y C T J E C P M A

P M W U R O A D T R I P E F S Z G S O E

S D L Q T E A C H E R U S I E L N E H B

SUMMER IS ON ITS WAY...

Find and circle all the words hidden in the grid.

BACKPACK BACK TO SCHOOL BEACHBALL

BEACH TOWEL CAMP CARWASH

COLLEGE FAMILY REUNIONS FIRECRACKERS

FIREFLIES FIREWORKS FLAG

FOURTH OF JULY GARAGE SALE HOLIDAY

HOMEWORK ICE CREAM LEISURE

LUNCH BOX MOSQUITOS PARADE

PICNICS PLAY GROUND ROAD TRIP

SANDALS SCHOOL SUPPLIES SPARKLERS

STARS AND STRIPES STUDENTS SUMMER

SUNBLOCK SUNGLASSES SWIMMING POOL

TEACHER UNIFORMS WATERMELON

WATERSLIDE

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you?

By joining our email club…you’ll get

information before everyone else!

If interested, send an email to:

60Plus@wycokck.org with your request.

Spicy Barbecue Sauce (good on beef, chicken, fish or pork)

1/2 medium onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 Tbsp. olive oil

2 jalapeno chili peppers, minced

1/4 tsp. hot smoked paprika

1 Tbsp. ground cumin

2oz. tomato paste

1 cup applesauce, unsweetened

1/4 cup molasses

1 Tbsp. mustard

3 cups water

1/4 sherry vinegar

Cook onion and garlic in olive oil on low heat until aromatic. Add jalapenos, chili flakes, paprika, cumin and tomato paste. Cook on very low heat for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

Add applesauce, molasses and mustard and cook for 1 minute. Add water and bring to a boil. Immediately turn down heat and simmer for about 2 hours or transfer the sauce to a slow cooker and cook on low for 2 to 3 hours.

Strain sauce and add vinegar. Adjust sea-soning to taste.

NOTE: Any pepper can be used in place of jalapeno, depending upon spice preference.

849 North 47th Street - Suite C

Kansas City, Kansas 66102

Phone: 913-573-8531

Fax: 913-573-8577

Email: 60Plus@wycokck.org

Wyandotte/Leavenworth

DisABLED or 60PLUS?...Call on Us!

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PERMIT NO. 1332

The Communicator is published bi-monthly by the Wyandotte/Leavenworth Area Agen-cy on Aging. It is funded by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Ser-vices through the Older Americans’ Act. We assume no responsibility for the care and return of unsolicited material. Donations are suggested.

The Wyandotte/Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging does not discriminated 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 Kansas Department for Aging & Disability Services at 1-800-432-3535.

Linda Ramirez, Editor

Emma Fonseca, Contributing Editor

LaMonica Upton, Contributing Editor

coming soon >>>

National Watermelon Day Sunday, August 3, 2014

National Senior Citizens Day Thursday, August 21, 2014

On National Senior Citizens Day, we should:

Spend some time with senior citizens Show our appreciation for senior citizens Do volunteer work in support of the

elderly If you are a senior citizen, enjoy your day any way you desire. After all, its your day!

calendar >>>

Independence Day Friday, July 4, 2014

Unified Government Offices Closed

Area Agency on Aging