Aging Services & Programs

Supports for Aging at Home

Information & Referral

Information and Referral (I&R) is the first place to call on any aging issue. By contacting I&R you avoid a series of unproductive calls looking for the right agency. Information and Referral can either answer your question or direct you to the agency that may be able to assist you. Staff persons are skilled professionals with an Aging Resource Specialist Certification.

I&R is a core service of the Wyandotte/Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging (WY/LV AAA) with a primary function to serve and offer resource information regarding aging services and to meet the individual needs of older adults wishing to remain at home.

I&R Programs provide information about a variety of services, programs, and resources available in the community that enhance their quality of life, improve their well-being and reduce the risk of institutionalization.

Case Management

Case Management is designed to help meet the multiple needs of Wyandotte and Leavenworth County residents who are at least 60 years of age or older. The program can address a single issue or situation requiring coordination of many services to meet those needs.

  • A comprehensive assessment — An assessment will be completed by the Case Manager to include health, functional ability, social and emotional needs, housing, transportation and measure of financial capabilities.

  • Development of a plan of care — The Case Manager will work with the senior and family to help complete a plan of care that will assist them in meeting their needs.

  • Coordinate delivery of services — The Case Manager will assist the individual in obtaining services with the clients signed consent.

  • Monitor case — Regular contact (at least every 90 days) will be made to assure a continuum of services and to address changes in needs.

  • Reassessment — An annual review will be made on every case management client.

Nutrition Programs

Meals on Wheels

Meals on WheelsHow does Meals on Wheels work? The Meals on Wheels program is designed to improve and maintain the health of seniors. The meals meet one third of the recommended daily allowance for adults and have no added salt.

Meals on Wheels participants must be “homebound”, 60+ and living in Wyandotte County.

Eligibility — Meals are provided to seniors 60 years of age and older who are temporarily or permanently home bound due to physical or mental impairment. Seniors that are not home bound are encouraged to participate at one of the nutrition sites.

Home Delivered Meals Application Process — A person wanting to access the Meals on Wheels Program, may do so by either of the following methods:

Donations Encouraged — All Meal Programs are funded by the Older Americans Act, local and state funds and client contributions (donations). Donations are an important part of the funding. The meal program does rely on donations to continue serving meals to current and new participants. Currently, the suggested donation per meal is $3.50 and can be made to the WY/LV Area Agency on Aging located at 849 N 47th Street, Kansas City, KS 66102.

Donate to Meals on Wheels

Congregate Meals (8 sites)

C.H.A.M.P.S.S. Program

Choosing Healthy Appetizing Meal Plan Solutions for Seniors (CHAMPSS) is a senior dine meal plan whereas the AAA partners with local grocery stores and restaurants to offer seniors 60 years of age and older a nutritious meal. This 7 days a week flexible meal program targets seniors 60 years of age or older who have access to transportation. Seniors who participate in the CHAMPSS program can dine in at one of our partner meal sites listed here:

Participants must attend an orientation session before they can utilize the program. During the informational session, participants will load their CHAMPSS card by providing the suggested donation of $3.50 per meal.

Persons interested in dining at one of our 8 Congregate Meal Sites or one of the CHAMPSS locations should contact the Nutrition Department at (913) 573-8568.

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Caregiver Supports

Everyday families make tremendous sacrifices to provide the care and support needed by their older relatives. However, it is often provided at a significant cost to caregivers in terms of stress, physical and mental strain, feelings of frustration and feeling overwhelmed.

Services that you might find helpful include:

  • Respite

  • Homemaker/Attendant Care

  • Adult Day Care

  • Grandparent Support

Eligibility (one must apply):

  • An adult family member or other individual who is an informal provider of in-home services to an older adult, 60 years of age or older.

  • Grandparent, age 55 or older caring for a child younger than 19, lives with the child and acts as the primary caregiver because the biological or adoptive parents are unable or unwilling to care for the child.

  • A grandparent or relative by blood or marriage who is age 55 or older providing care for an adult age 19 to 59, that has a disability. The caregiver cannot be the parent of the adult with a disability.

  • Caregivers may receive respite, homemaker/attendant care, adult day care or grandparent support services through this program.

Whether you are expecting to become a caregiver or have been thrust into the role overnight, it is useful to know where you can obtain assistance.

Mill Levy Funded Program

Mill levy funding maintains several programs for older adults residing in Wyandotte County. To qualify for a mill levy funded program, you must be 60 years of age or older and live in Wyandotte County.

Exercise-Enhanced Fitness

Enhance fitness is a free, evidence-based group exercise program geared toward arthritis relief. The program is dedicated to improving the quality of life for seniors 60 and over in Wyandotte County. Older adults 60 and older at all levels of fitness will become active, energized and empowered to sustain independent lives. Contact the Area Agency on Aging at (913) 573-8531 or 60Plus@wycokck.org for a class schedule.

In-Home Services

In-Home Supports are a unique set of services specifically designed to assess the needs of older adults and offer customized services based on each individual.

The goal of the program is to provide needed services so the older adult can maintain a safe and healthy life in their own home.

Anyone who is concerned about the physical, emotional, financial or nutritional status of an older adult can make a referral.

Program Qualifications:

  • Must be 60+.

  • Live in Wyandotte or Leavenworth Counties.

  • Be prescreened for possible co-pay.

  • Meet functional eligibility as determined through an assessment.

Services provided:

  • Light Housework/Shopping

  • Personal Care/Medication Assistance

  • Other Services (may include)
    • Incontinent Supplies

    • Bathroom Items

    • Ramps

    • Eye Glasses

    • Dentures

Dementia Care

Kansas Respite for Alzheimer’s & Dementia Program (KRAD)

KRAD is a resource for family caregivers who have limited access to respite care and/or other supports through current systems. The purpose is to provide relief to unpaid caregivers of individuals with a probable diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia. Learn more about the Family Caregiver Program.

Administrative Case Management (ACM)

ACM can assist with the following options:

  • Applying for Medicaid

  • Applying for Crisis Exception

  • Assist with gathering needed documentation

Medicare Counseling

Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK)

A free program offering Kansans an opportunity to talk with trained, community volunteers and get answers to questions about Medicare and other insurance issues.

Medicare assistance:

Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA)

MIPPA helps Medicare beneficiaries with limited income and assets learn about programs that may save them money on their Medicare cost.

Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)

Kansas Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) empowers and assists Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers to prevent, detect, and report health care fraud, errors, and abuse through outreach, counseling, and education. SMP focuses on three main areas: Outreach and Education, Volunteerism, and Beneficiary Complaints.

Long Term Care & Rehabilitation

The Client Assessment & Referral Evaluation (CARE) Assessment was developed by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to evaluate a person’s health and functional abilities. The purpose of CARE is to help persons find appropriate long-term care services and to collect data on the need for home and community-based services. The assessment is a personal interview with you (and your family or other caregivers such as a guardian/conservator when appropriate).

Anyone seeking nursing facility care must be assessed by the CARE program before they can enter the nursing facility. If you or a loved one are considering a move to a nursing facility, please contact the CARE office at (913) 573-8535.