Aging Resources Guide

grandparents walking in park with young boy

Over 15% of Johnson County’s population are 65 and older. Each year the older adult population continues to grow. Johnson County government has developed an Aging Resources Guide to help residents navigate services and programs available in our community. The guide is designed to help older adults, caregivers, family members, social workers, volunteers and the community quickly find information and resources on valuable topics such as nutrition, housing, in-home services, health, wellness and more.

Aging Information Specialists are available to help you find the assistance you need. Call 913-715-8861 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday for more information.

Where to Start

Food & Nutrition

Home-Delivered Meals

The Area Agency on Aging provides home-delivered meals to qualifying homebound senior residents, age 60+ and their spouse, at their place of residence.

CHAMPSS Meals

The AAA provides CHAMPSS (Choosing Healthy Appetizing Meal Plan Solutions for Seniors) meals for registered and eligible seniors age 60+ and their spouses seven days a week in the dining area of partnering Hy-Vee grocery stores.

Dine-in Meals at Neighborhood Centers

Anyone age 60+ and their spouse can receive a hot noon meal in a congregate setting at six neighborhood centers throughout Johnson County.

Food Pantries

Throughout the county, food pantries offer groceries and certain household supplies to seniors older adults and others in need of food. Food pantries are available through the Johnson County Aging and Human Services Department and many area churches.

Health and Wellness

Exercise, Wellness, Recreation

Elevate your mood, feel better, get stronger, improve your balance and prevent falls. See resources in the Explore Your Options directory, page 24.

Hospice

Hospice Care offers a comprehensive and coordinated program of services to terminally ill patients and their families in both nursing home and inpatient settings. This service is not provided by the Area Agency on Aging but available for Medicare participants when ordered by their doctor. See page 44 of the Explore Your Options directory.

Kansas City Medicine Cabinet

Johnson County Aging & Human Services is a vendor for the Kansas City Medicine Cabinet. Qualifying residents who need short-term medical care such as eyeglasses, hearing aids, prescription drugs, durable medical equipment or dental emergencies can contact our Outreach Services team for additional information.

Medicare Basics

Kansas offers objective Medicare counseling through the Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK) program. Staff at Kansas State Extension Office in Olathe provide education and assistance as well as other SHICK counselors in Johnson County.

Mental Health

Johnson County Mental Health offers a wide range of individual and group therapy services to help individuals with mental health challenges get to the point where they have the skills needed to handle similar issues on their own without the need for mental health services.

Care in the Home

Options Counseling and Assessments

Options counseling informs you about in-home services and long-term care options for older adults who need supportive services. Assessments determine eligibility for in-home services.

Attendant Care, Chores, Homemaker

Supervision and/or assistance with bathing, dressing and personal appearance, help with routine cleaning and chores in the home.

Family Caregiver Services

Caregiver Assessment

Assists a caregiver with healthcare decision-making, setting up a plan of care and learning caregiving skills such as life balance, nutrition, safety, medication compliance, etc.

Respite Care

In-home care that enables family and relative caregivers to be temporarily relieved from their caregiving responsibilities, providing a brief period of relief or rest for them.

Caregiver Counseling and Support Services

Helps solve problems related to a caregiving role and addresses caregiver issues such as stress, loneliness, family discord, isolation, depression and anxiety.

Housing

Affordable Housing

The Explore Your Options directory lists options for housing including: Section 8 subsidized housing for all ages, Section 202 subsidized housing for seniors older adults age 62 and older and some individuals with disabilities, and Section 42, the low income tax credit apartments for individuals age 55+.

Long-term Care

The Explore Your Options directory lists options for long-term care including independent retirement communities, home plus homes, assisted living, nursing facilities and transition consultants.

Home Rehab and Weatherization

The Explore Your Options directory lists minor home repair, rehab and weatherization programs available for eligible low-income residents in Olathe, Lenexa and throughout Johnson County.

Homestead and SafeSr Property Tax Refund

Low-income older adults or disabled persons may be eligible to receive tax relief or a rebate of a portion of the property taxes paid on their Kansas homestead.

Helpful Services and Resources

Legal Services

Volunteer Opportunities

Young volunteer assisting older woman with cane and groceries.

Commission on Aging

Utility Assistance

Reports and Publications

Financial Assistance

Learn how to compare cost of living with income and reduce those monthly expenses with this cheat sheet.

Navigating Health Care

Looking for health care in Johnson County? We've taken the heavy lifting out of researching health care options with this navigation guide.

Housing and Long-Term Care

Accessing housing and long-term care can be a real challenge. That's why we've provided you with a list of apartments, assisted living, continuing care and nursing facilities.

Explore Your Options Directory

A comprehensive online resource for services in Johnson County. Search our directory for services in accessibility caregiving, in-home care, community activities, transportation, legal assistance and much, much more.

Request a Service or Assessment

If you or a loved one need help accessing our services, please fill out our Aging Services intake form to get started.

Start Assessment

Transportation Options, Driver Safety

Do you need transportation in Johnson County? Consider creating a Transportation Checklist to meet your needs when you cannot drive.

Review Options

The Best Times Magazine

The Best Times, a bimonthly publication of Johnson County Government, is mailed at no cost to Johnson County residents 60 and over.

Local Resources

My Resource Connection

The purpose of My Resource Connection is to connect individuals needing assistance with resources that can help meet their needs.

Link for Care

Link for Care provides a comprehensive service directory and information resource for the Kansas City area and surrounding counties.

United Way 211

Dedicated staff at United Way of Greater Kansas City (UWGKC) 2-1-1 maintain a comprehensive database of thousands of local and national community resources.