May is Older Americans Month: Explore resources available for older adults in Johnson County
May is Older Americans Month, a recognition of older Americans’ contributions and commitment to serving their needs in our community.
This year’s theme, “Powered by Connection,” focuses on the importance of meaningful connections, which are beneficial to older adults’ well-being and health.
Johnson County’s Aging and Human Services manages programs and activities that support older adults in the county, from transportation and food assistance to in-home and caregiver support.
Learn more about aging resources available to residents such as classes and publications, and explore the services and programs AHS has to offer.
Resources for those ages 60 and older
AHS’ Area Agency on Aging is celebrating Older Americans Month by hosting a series of weekly classes in May. These lunch and learn events are tailored to those ages 60 and older. All in-person sessions are full. However, there is a virtual option for this class: Genealogy for Older Adults.
The Area Agency on Aging also partners with several local agencies on virtual classes, which focus on the topics of cooking, art and bird watching. Keep a lookout for upcoming classes in the future.
For additional aging resources, you can also check out these county publications:
- Explore Your Options is a full directory of services available throughout the community.
- The All-About Me workbook provides older adults with the opportunity to collect important facts about their life.
- The Best Times, the county’s magazine for older adults, is mailed to residents ages 60 and older and accessible in full online.
Services available through Aging and Human Services
AHS has a variety of services available through its Outreach Services division, which offers social services to those in need, and its Area Agency on Aging, which advocates for and assists older adults.
AHS’ programs are designed with older adults’ and other vulnerable populations needs in mind – whether you need help with transportation, access to food, or financial support.
In addition to what’s featured here, our Aging Resources Guide is a helpful starting point for older adults in Johnson County.
Accessibility Assistance
The Catch-a-Ride program provides volunteer transportation to residents ages 60 and older, or those who have disabilities or those in a life transition who do not drive, whether they need to get to medical appointments, food pantries or social service agencies. It’s a donation-based program, with a suggested donation of $5 each way.
The Area Agency on Aging also offers in-home services for older adults who need help to maintain independent living. This can range from assistance with bathing, dressing, and shaving, homemaker services such as housekeeping and laundry, medication management, emergency response monitoring and more.
Financial Assistance
Utility assistance is offered by AHS to qualifying low-income households. Appointments are required to receive utility assistance. To see if you are eligible for utility assistance, such as electric, water, gas, wastewater or propane utility bills, take this assessment.
Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK) is a program to help older Kansans navigate Medicare and other health insurance programs. Trained counselors with work beneficiaries to help those ages 65 and older with questions, enrollment and other help they need.
Food Assistance
The Area Agency on Aging’s Nutrition Services program provides hot meals through three programs:
- CHAMPSS gives access to meals at participating Hy-Vee grocery stores.
- Neighborhood Centers offer a cold breakfast and hot lunch, as well as programs and activities.
- Home-Delivered Meals serves meals to those who can’t leave their homes.
AHS also operates food pantries within three of its Multi-Service Center locations: North Central (Lenexa), North East (Mission) and Southwest (Gardner).