October 2015
Volume 42 No. 10
INSIDE Leisure and Learning Catalog ������ PG 6 Band Schedule �����������������������������PG 11 Calendar�������������������������������������� PG 12
Legalese ��������������������������������������� PG 14
VISITING NURSES OFFERS FLU SHOTS AT THE SENIOR CENTER
MISSION: To create opportunities that allow older residents of Douglas County to remain independent and active in their homes and communities. VISIT US AT WWW.DGCOSENIORSERVICES.ORG
LAWRENCE ARTWALK 2015 THIS MONTH Are you looking for a great way to spend time on a beautiful fall weekend? Come out for the 20th Annual Lawrence ArtWalk. This wonderful Lawrence tradition happens every year in late October and gives visitors an opportunity to get a jump on their holiday shopping. An original work of art makes a perfect gift. Our own Downtown Tuesday Painters’ work will be on display - and for sale - at the Lawrence Senior Center, 745 Vermont Street on Saturday, October 24, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, October 25, Noon to 6 p.m. Learn more about ArtWalk at lawrenceartwalk.org.
“Gold in Kansas” is an original work of art by Downtown Tuesday Painter Carole Peters. The group will have their artwork available this month during the Lawrence ArtWalk.
IT’S TIME TO SHOP FOR NEW PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN
Flu season is upon us. Protect yourself and those around you by getting immunized. Douglas County Visiting Nurses will be giving flu shots at the Lawrence Senior Center on Monday, October 12 from 1 to 3 p.m. Please bring your Medicare card.
The Medicare Part D Open Enrollment Period begins Oct. 15 and DCSS will once again provide assistance navigating the new Medicare Part D Plans and enrollment. It is important to reevaluate your Part D (prescription) coverage each year, as plans change and so may your medications. Assistance is available by appointment at Lawrence Senior Center. Please call 842-0543 for scheduling. Can’t come to Lawrence? We will be in your community. Help is available at the following sites on a first come, first served basis: - Lecompton Community Pride Building - October 20, 9 a.m. to noon - Baldwin City, Roberts Drug Store - November 3, 9 a.m. to noon - Baldwin City Public Library - November 17, 9 to noon - Eudora Public Library - November 10, 9 a.m. to noon
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SKILLBUILDERS
Fall Session Continues Through Nov. 19
Skillbuilders is a series of programs for anyone experiencing significant life changes. Those who have lost a loved one by death, are making adjustments to illness, or are adapting to being a single person, often find that grief is not the only thing that must be faced. Common daily occurrences take on different meanings and cause unexpected anxiety. Why is it so hard to make decisions that seemed easy before the changes? All programs are held on Thursdays at 10 a.m. in the Smith Center at Brandon Woods, 4730 Brandon Woods Terrace. Come for all of the programs or choose those that interest you. There is never a charge for the programs and registration is not necessary. Transportation may be arranged through Douglas County Senior Services, 785-865-6925. OCTOBER 1 Car Care 101 - Richard Haig, Westside 66 & Carwash OCTOBER 8 Talk with your Pharmacist - Debbie Mishler, Brandon Woods OCTOBER 15 The Value of Exercise - Charlotte Robertson, Brandon Woods OCTOBER 22 Distributing your Estate - Jane Baker, Brandon Woods OCTOBER 29 Financial Planning - Barbara Braa, Central Bank of the Midwest NOVEMBER 5 Who Am I Now? - Karen Roberts, LPN, PA NOVEMBER 12 Cooking for One & Two - Susan Johnson, Douglas County Extension Office NOVEMBER 19 Adjust to Change #2 (Holidays and Special Occasions) - Paul Reed, Visiting Nurses; Pattie Johnston, Lawrence Public Library Skillbuilders is sponsored by the Lawrence Public Library, Visiting Nurses, Brandon Woods at Alvamar, and Douglas County Senior Services. For more information call 785-843-3833, ext. 115.
CHOIR TIME!
The Intergenerational Choir has resumed rehearsals. This group is led by KU music therapy students and welcomes all those who love to sing. Join the group on Fridays from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the Lawrence Senior Center.
ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE FORUM October 7
Please plan to attend the Legislative Forum Wednesday, Oct. 7 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont Street. This event is hosted in partnership by the Douglas County Coalition on Aging, the Older Women’s League, and the LawrenceDouglas County Advocacy Council on Aging. Legislators will address issues that impact older adults in Douglas County. Please take this opportunity to hear where your elected officials stand on the issues. No registration is necessary.
LOCAL “SENIOR MOMENTS” RADIO PROGRAM LOOKING FOR INPUT Every Saturday from 10 to 10:30 a.m. DCSS Board Member Judy Bellome sits down with local radio celebrity Jeremy Taylor to cohost “Senior Moments.” The segment is part of Taylor’s “About the House” radio show on our local AM radio station 1320 KLWN. The topics covered in this segment are “senior” in nature, but of interest to folks of all ages. Previous shows have featured interviews with AARP Kansas Executive Director Maran Turner; Jim Owens, former mayor and former owner of Owens Flower Shop; and retired KU Architecture Professor Dennis Domer, speaking about an intergenerational retirement community - just to name a few. Do you have a suggestion for future topics or seniors to interview? If so, please contact Janet Ikenberry at DCSS, 785-842-0543; jikenberry@dgcoseniorservices.org. And don’t forget to tune in on Saturday!
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SWEEPSTAKES, LOTTERIES AND SCAMS - OH MY! Can’t We Just Click our Heels and Make the Scammers Disappear? A Letter From District Attorney Charles Branson Recently I was walking to our second floor office in the Judicial and Law Building and I overheard a woman speaking to a police officer about some type of lottery. The officer responded to her inquiry by telling her that if she wanted to play a lottery, she should stick with a legal lottery, such as the Kansas Lottery. I could guess that she had already been scammed or maybe she narrowly missed being scammed. For many folks, personal budgets continue to be tight and finances may have never completely recovered from the Recession of 2008 and all of its domino effects continue to cause financial strain and therefore the lure of large sums of money seem to be the quick answer. They have a tremendous lure. Just days after overhearing the woman’s conversation with the police officer, a gentleman called our office and wanted to know if the prize he believed he had won on social media was a scam or if he should click on the links and enter the information they were asking for. This time we were lucky, my staff was able to advise the caller that those types of “prizes” are not prizes at all, but simply a scammer attempting to obtain his personal information. Sweepstakes and lottery scams can come to you in a variety of ways. It could be a phone call, your regular U.S. mail, a text message, an e-mail or through any form of social media. Scammers will try to convince you that you have won the lottery or sweepstakes (you haven’t!) and all you have to do is pay your hard earned money to collect your winnings (you won’t!). So what are the red flags of a prize scam? The Federal Trade Commission provides great tips and I want to share them with you.
While the list is a bit long, it provides excellent information on how to spot and avoid a financial scam. You have to pay. Legitimate sweepstakes do not make you pay a fee or buy something to enter or improve your chances of winning - that includes paying “taxes,” “shipping and handling charges,” or “processing fees” to get your prize. NEVER give someone your checking account number or credit card number in response to a sweepstakes offer. You have to wire money. If you are asked to wire money to an agent of “Lloyd’s of London” or another wellknown company, often in a foreign country, to “insure” delivery of the prize - DON’T DO IT! Wiring money is like sending cash. Once it is gone, you cannot trace it or get it back. The same goes for sending a check or money order by overnight delivery or courier or putting money on a prepaid debit card. You have to deposit a check they have sent to you. When you do, they will ask you to wire a portion of the money back. The check will be fake and you will owe the bank any money you withdrew. You’re told they’re from the government - or another organization with a name that sounds official. They might say they are from an agency like the Federal Trade Commission and are informing you that you have won a federally supervised lottery or sweepstakes or they might use an official sounding name like “the national consumer protection agency” or the non-existent “National Sweepstakes Bureau.” THEY ARE IMPOSTERS. The FTC does not oversee sweepstakes and no federal government agency or legitimate
sweepstakes company will contact you to ask for money so you can claim a prize. Your “notice” was mailed by bulk rate. It is not likely you have won a big prize if your notification was mailed by bulk rate. Period. You have to attend a sales meeting to win. If you agree to attend, you are likely to endure a high-pressure sales pitch. Keep in mind, any pressure to “act now” before you miss out on a prize is a sign of a scam. You get a call out of the blue, even though you’re on the Do Not Call Registry. Once you register your phone number for free at Do Not Call or https://www.donotcall.gov/, unwanted telemarketing calls should stop within 30 days. Foreign Lotteries. You may get a letter that states you have won a foreign lottery or sweepstakes. Typically, the letter will include a check. This is known as a fake check scam. The letter may say they are offering you a chance to enter a foreign lottery. The truth is, even if your name was entered, it is illegal to play a foreign lottery. Text Message Prize Offers. You get a text message that says you have won a gift card or other free prize. When you go to the website and enter your personal information, you will also be asked to sign up for “trial offers.” Those offers will leave you with recurring monthly charges and the spammer could sell your information to identity thieves. If you see a spam text offering a gift, gift card or free service, report it to your cell phone carrier, and then delete it. Do not reply or click on any links. They could install malware on your computer or mobile device and take
you to spoof sites that look real but are in business to steal your information. Check Them Out. Scammers do not obey the law. To avoid a scam, you must do some research. Type the company name into your search engine with terms like “review’, complaint’ or scam.” You may be shocked at what you learn. Report a Scam. If you believe you have been targeted by a prize scam, report it to the FTC using their FTC Complaint Form or https:// www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/ Information#crnt&panel1-1. You can also make a report to the Kansas Attorney General’s Office and my office’s consumer protection division. If you receive a scam prize promotion in your regular mail, report it to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service or https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/ contactUs/filecomplaint.aspx. If you ever doubt if a sweepstakes or lottery is legitimate, ALWAYS check it out first. The cliché may be tired and old, but keep it in the back of your mind, “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” My office’s professional consumer protection staff is always ready to serve you. If you need their assistance, please call 785330-2849. We are proud to serve the citizens of Douglas County. (Some of the information in this article came from the Federal Trade Commission. The information in this article is not intended to provide legal advice. Legal advice can only be provided in an attorney-client relationship. This information must not be relied on as a substitute for obtaining legal advice from a licensed attorney.)
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SAFE WINTER WALKWAYS
The winter months bring more than cold weather and high utility bills. For many seniors in our community it also brings the worry of how to clear their public walkways when it snows. Douglas County Senior Services is partnering with the City of Lawrence again this winter on the Safe Winter Walkways program to alleviate that concern for those who are physically and financially unable to remove the snow from their public sidewalks. The deadline to sign up for the program is November 20. To request volunteer assistance in removing snow from your public walkway, call 832-3338. No requests will be processed after November 20. The Safe Winter Walkways program is currently recruiting volunteers to assist with snow removal. Volunteers will be matched with those needing assistance and will then be responsible for clearing the public walkways for that individual after each snowfall. This is a wonderful opportunity for able bodied folks to help their neighbors. To volunteer, please call 8323338, or go online at www.lawrenceks.org.
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STAND BY ME
benefit event for Kansas Advocates for Better Care “Stand By Me” is an annual charity event that benefits the non-profit work of Kansas Advocates for Better Care (KABC), an organization that serves older adults and family caregivers by providing them with guidance as they face life-changing decisions about long-term care at home and in facilities. KABC advocates on behalf of older adults and care needs with policy makers, working to prevent harm and promoting better care solutions. Stand By Me 2015 will be held on Sunday, October 25 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Maceli’s, 1031 New Hampshire in Lawrence. Lee Ketzel will be honored with the Founders Award. Stand By Me is a good time for a good cause and offers up music, live and silent auctions and refreshments. All proceeds from Stand By Me support guidance and problem-solving to assist with an elders’ care needs, training for caregivers, and educational resources which provide direction for achieving better care. 2015 Kansas Auctioneers Association Hall of Famer Lester Edgecomb, of Edgecomb Auctions, will be the guest emcee leading the live auction bidding on items such as KU team autographed basketball, performing arts tickets for Symphony in the Flint Hills, Johnson County Community College, and the Lied Center, hand-crafted art, destination stays in Taos and the Flint Hills, game tickets for KC Chiefs and KU Basketball, and more. There is no cost to attend Stand By Me; all donations are appreciated. The event is open to the public and RSVPs are required by October 16. Light refreshments will be served and entertainment provided. Guests are asked to register by contacting the KABC office at 785-842-3088, or toll free 1-800-525-1782.
Learn What to Expect at “Welcome to Medicare” October 7
Are you new to Medicare? Do you have questions? Join Community Services Program Assistant and Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK) Coordinator Barbara Sutterfield for this overview of the Medicare program from noon to 1 p.m., Wednesday October 7. Participants are free to bring their lunch or reserve one through our Senior Meals program. For more information please contact Barbara at Douglas County Senior Services, 785-842-0543 or toll free 1-877-295-3277.
CORRECTION The book review of “Rain” in our September issue incorrectly identified the book’s author in the headline. Cynthia Barnett is the author of “Rain.” We apologize for any confusion.
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WHY WALK? WHY NOT? By Gayle Sigurdson - Recreation Specialist, LPRD Autumn is an ideal time to start or renew a walking program; the temperatures are moderate, there is still daylight in the early evening and the changing seasons are beautiful to watch. Getting started is easy, there’s no special equipment other than a good pair of shoes. But for continued results, you have to keep it fresh and challenging. Walking is a social sport. Joining a buddy or walking group can be more fun and safer than walking alone. Walking partners also challenge each other by encouraging each other to go a little farther or a little faster. If you are looking for a partner, Lawrence Parks and Recreation program sponsors a walking group and a weekend hikers’ guild. If you are already a regular walker, there are many ways to change up your walking routine. Add variety by walking at different locations. Lawrence has over 70 miles of recreational paths with paved, hardsurface and native trails with a range of grade changes. The views change from neighborhoods to groomed parks and wooded areas. Another way to keep your routine fresh is to enhance the benefits of walking by focusing on a different technique each time you walk. For example: is your posture straight, tall and relaxed? You should be able to visualize a straight line drawn from your ear down to your shoulder, to your hip, knee and ankle. Keep your head level, eyes looking forward 12-20 feet, and the chin parallel to the ground. On another walk pay attention to your arm swing. Arms
should swing naturally with each step, and should be bent at the elbow at a 90 degree angle. Bending your arms will eliminate swelling, tingling and numbness in the fingers while toning your arms and burning more calories than walking with arms. Try adding poles or Nordic walking to your walk. This engages the upper body while reducing stress in the knees and other joints. A final technique to complement your routine is interval walking. Interval walking requires you to increase the intensity of your walking for a short burst, then return to your normal walking pace to recover and prepare for the next high intensity burst. The bursts can be accomplished by walking at a faster pace or up an incline. The length of each interval is entirely up to you and should be based upon how you are feeling that day. Tracking your progress is a valuable technique for staying motivated. Choose a measure of progress that is easy to monitor. It can be how fast you walk, the number of steps taken, or how long you walk measured in distance or time. Take the time to establish a baseline and set a specific and measurable goal. Sharing your goal with a walking partner increases accountability and your chances of success. The benefits of walking include; lowered risk for chronic disease, weight management, strengthened core muscles and improved mood. Take time this fall to join a group walk, explore a different route or try a new technique.
FREE BLOOD PRESSURE CHECK
Need your blood pressure checked? Midland Care Connection will be providing free blood pressure checks for seniors at the Lawrence Senior Center on Monday, October 12 from 11 a.m. to noon. Itís wise to monitor your blood pressure as part of your ongoing health regimen. What could be easier than stopping by the Lawrence Senior Center on the second Monday of the month for a quick check? No appointment necessary. Just drop in!
Kansas Commission on Veterans’ Affairs presentation October 14
Join Veteran Service Representative Rick Massey for a discussion on cash assistance provided by the VA for low-income veterans and surviving spouses age 65 and over. The presentation will be held Wednesday, October 14 at 1:30 p.m. at the Lawrence Senior Center. For information, call 785-843-5233.
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Leisure and Learning Catalog - Course Description Douglas County Senior Services offers a variety of programs for active Douglas County residents age 55 and over. In our catalog you will also see some Lawrence Parks and Recreation classes, and trips offered by Group Getaways. PLEASE NOTE THE ENROLLMENT AND PAYMENT INFORMATION BELOW* FOR THE PROGRAM(S) FOR WHICH YOU WISH TO REGISTER. To register for a DCSS activity, fill out the class registration form
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in this newsletter and mail it with your check (payable to DCSS) to: Douglas County Senior Services, Leisure and Learning Department, 745 Vermont St., Lawrence, KS 66044. Walk-ins are welcome. For information call 785-842-0543. • To register for a Lawrence Parks and Recreation activity, go to the Community Building, 115 W. 11th St., 832-7920 or register online at www.lprd.org. • To register for a Group Getaways trip, contact Darla Bass at 785-215-8875 or email: mygroupgetaways@gmail.com. More trip information available at http://www.mygroupgetaways. net.
DCSS refund/credit policy (applies to DCSS classes and events only): A full refund or credit will be given for all DCSS classes, events or trips 30 days prior to the class or event, except event tickets that are bought in advance and are non-refundable. Less than 30 days prior, refunds will be given for medical hardships, approved emergencies, and events canceled or rescheduled by the department. A 10 percent administrative charge will be deducted from refunds for cancellations less than one week in advance. Partial class scholarships may be available for seniors who qualify. Scholarships will be considered upon completion of application in the Leisure and Learning office. Reasonable accommodations can be made for special needs. Registrant must specify needs and provide information at time of enrollment. HEALTH & FITNESS Yoga for Every Body (Douglas County Senior Services) Tuesdays, November 3 December 15, 3-4 p.m. Fee: $25. Location: Lawrence Senior Center. Instructor: Susan Rieger. This gentle yoga class encourages freedom in all the joints, increases core and leg strength, improves balance, and leaves the participant feeling mentally
and physically relaxed and restored. Previous participants report feeling stronger, having more energy, and sleeping better. Please bring a yoga mat and wear clothes which allow you to move easily. A.M. Walking Club (Lawrence Parks and Recreation) Walking indoors is a chance to exercise in any weather, get your heart pumping and build friendships with other walkers. The public is welcome to walk in the gymnasiums at East Lawrence Recreation Center (7-10 a.m.) and Holcom Park Recreation Center (7-11 a.m.), Monday through Friday. Walkers should plan to accommodate scheduled programming. For more information, contact the Recreation Center, 832-7950. Pickleball - Open Play (Lawrence Parks and Recreation) Monday-Friday at Lyons Park and Sports Pavilion Lawrence. For competitive, recreational and beginning players. Call Gayle at the Community Building, 832-7920, for specific days and times. There is no charge for open play. Badminton - Open Play (Lawrence Parks and Recreation) Badminton players are enthusiastic about the agility, pace, fitness and FUN of the game. Local badminton fans will be playing at Sports Pavilion Lawrence
on Tuesdays, 6-8 p.m., now through mid-October. The court is open to players of all skill levels. Equipment is provided; players are welcome to bring their own. Personal Training (Lawrence Parks and Recreation) Need help reaching your fitness goals? Lawrence Parks and Recreation has certified personal trainers to help you make your workouts safe, productive and successful. Training and registration are available at all recreation centers. For more information, contact Gayle Sigurdson at 832-7920.
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Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program (Lawrence Parks and Recreation and DCSS) Tuesdays and Thursdays, November 10-December 17, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Fee: $30 Location: Lawrence Sports Pavilion This community based exercise program is designed specifically for people with arthritis and related diseases, but open to anyone. The programs multiple components help reduce pain and stiffness and help maintain or improve mobility, muscle strength and functional ability. The variety of exercises are designed for people of all levels of ability. Instructor is certified
by the Arthritis Foundation. Class offered in partnership with Douglas County Senior Services. Instructor: Rebecca Clancy. Register at www.lprd. org or any Lawrence Recreation Center. Senior Strength Training Tuesdays and Thursdays, November 10-December 10 9-10 a.m. Fee: $30 Location: East Lawrence Center Strength training for seniors is effective in improving balance (preventing falls), strengthening major muscle groups, and increasing muscle mass and bone density. The class is designed to include functional
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movement patterns that enhance daily living activities. A variety of strength training equipment will be used, including free weights, and resistance bands. Class includes a warm-up period and a post-workout stretch. NOTE: A physician’s release is required prior to beginning of class. Instructor: Deb Geraghty. Register at www.lprd.org or any Lawrence Recreation Center. Chair Exercise (Douglas County Senior Services) Wednesdays and Fridays (ongoing) 11-11:30 a.m. Fee: None. Location: Lawrence Senior Center.
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EDUCATION, HOBBY & FINANCE AARP Smart Driver Course (Douglas County Senior Services) Thursday and Friday, November 12 and 13, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Fee: $15 for AARP Members, $20 for non-members. Location: Lawrence Senior Center. Refresh your driving skills with the AARP Smart Driver Course. You will learn defensive driving techniques, proven safety strategies, and new traffic laws and rules of the road. Plus, there are no tests to pass; simply sign up and learn. Upon completion you could receive a multiyear discount on your car insurance. Lunch from noon to 1 p.m. on your own. Limited spots available, please call 842-0543 to register. Fundamentals of Estate Planning (Douglas County Senior Services & Lawrence Parks and Recreation) Tuesday, November 10, 6-7:30 p.m. Fee: None. Location: Lawrence Senior Center. Instructor: Robert Ramsdell. Death is a certainty, incapacity a possibility. You need to plan for both. Fundamentals of Estate Planning will help you create those plans. The class covers what happens under
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intestate succession if you die without a plan; the uses of a Will or Revocable Living Trust; an overview of probate administration; the impact of estate and gift taxes; nontestamentary transfer options, such as holding property in a joint tenancy; powers of attorney for financial and healthcare decision-making; Living Wills and Do Not Resuscitate Directives; and a very general overview of how limitations on Medicaid eligibility might affect your assets. The presentation lasts about an hour, followed by an open question-and-answer period. No need to register.
Beginning Spanish (Douglas County Senior Services) Wednesdays, 1-2 p.m. (ongoing) Fee: None. Location: Lawrence Senior Center Board Room. Instructor: Jim Bennett. This course will stress some of the basics of the Spanish language and useful words and phrase. Bring your English to Spanish Dictionary. Intermediate Spanish (Douglas County Senior Services) Mondays, 1-2 p.m. (ongoing) Fee: None. Location: Lawrence Senior Center Board Room. Instructor: Jim Bennett. Focus is on reading and conversation. Bring your English to Spanish Dictionary. Math Club (Douglas County Senior Services) Mondays and Wednesdays,
2:30-3:30 p.m. (ongoing) Fee: None. Location: Lawrence Senior Center Board Room. Instructor: Saul Stahl. Come stretch your mind and enjoy lively discussion! Laughter Reigns - Join the Theatre Lawrence Vintage Players! The Vintage Players meet at 1:30 p.m. every second and fourth Tuesday of the month at Theatre Lawrence, 4660 Bauer Farm Drive. Welcome to all Seniors who like to laugh and have fun. The Vintage Players share skits and one-liners with each other at performances in the community. For more information on the Vintage Players, please call Mary Ann at Theatre Lawrence, 8437469, ext. 201. TECHNOLOGY Computer CafĂŠ (Lawrence Parks and Recreation) This time is an opportunity to meet with other computer users and an instructor to problem solve or learn about new apps, websites and other ways technology can ease our lives. Drop-in and enroll ($5 fee) on-site at the Carnegie Building on the second Tuesday of each month from noon-1:30 . ART Spencer Museum of Art Senior Sessions Cosponsored by the Spencer Museum of Art and the Osher
Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Kansas, Senior Sessions are offered on select Thursdays from 10 to 11 a.m. All sessions for the fall semester will be held at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, located west of Kasold, off Bob Billings Parkway and 15th St. on St. Andrews Drive (1515 St. Andrews Drive). Accessible parking is available. Osher. ku.edu; spencerart.ku.edu. October 8 - The Gilded Age in American Art - Susan Earle, Spencer curator of European and American Art, discusses late nineteenth-century America when ambitious artists tried imitating their European peers. Learn what made the work of Winslow Homer, Thomas Wilmer Dewing, and John Singer Sargent, among others, so dazzling. October 22 - Outside of What?: Outsider Art in Twentieth-Century America - Laura Minton, PhD student in art history, discusses the history of outsider art during the twentieth century as well as works from the permanent collection by Joseph Yoakum, one of the most famous outsider artists in the United States. November 12 - The Spencer Museum of Art Classroom Collection: Part II - Amanda Martin-Harmon, associate director of community engagement, leads a talk
on objects collected for the Museum’s Classroom Collection, including objects from Africa donated by African Studies Professor Beverly Mack. December 10 - Provenance: How Objects Have Entered the Collection - Kate Meyer, Spencer assistant curator for works on paper, leads a lively discussion of how certain objects came into the Museum’s collection. Downtown Tuesday Painters (Douglas County Senior Services) Tuesdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Fee: None. Location: Lawrence Senior Center Conference Room. Bring your painting project and supplies and join the Downtown Tuesday Painters. MUSIC New Horizons Band (Douglas County Senior Services) Fridays, 4 - 5 p.m. Location: Lawrence Senior Center. Band Directors John Towner and Robert Wolfersberger encourage anyone interested in playing to join. Dues are $5 for the year. Contact John Towner at 785-8653519 or 785-865-8851 (cell), or by email at towner@sunflower. com. Intergenerational Choir (Douglas County Senior Services) Fridays, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Location: Lawrence Senior Center.
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Seniors with an interest in singing are invited to join students from the University of Kansas to participate in an Intergenerational Choir. Sing popular music from yesterday and today. Led by music therapy students from KU. The Intergenerational Choir will rehearse , and perform once or twice a semester. Contact Becca Kurtz, beccakurtz@ku.edu. (Don’t have email? Call Janet at 842-0543.) ENTERTAINMENT
Theatre Lawrence Dress Rehearsal (Douglas County Senior Services) Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” - December 3 Regional Premiere! Music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slather; book by Doug Wright, based on the Hans Christian Andersen story and the Disney films. In a magical kingdom beneath the sea, the beautiful young mermaid Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the
world above. Disney’s The Little Mermaid is a hauntingly beautiful love story for the ages. With music by eighttime Academy Award winner Alan Menken, this fishy fable will capture your heart with its irresistible song “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl” and “Part of Your World.” Note: Due to limited number of available dress rehearsal tickets, only 2 tickets will be allowed per request. Tickets will be distributed after a random drawing a week before the dress rehearsal date. Call Janet at DCSS, 842-0543. DAY/SHORT TRIPS Safari Museum and Walker Art Gallery (Lawrence Parks and Recreation) Tuesday, October 20, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Fee: $50 Discover two little known treasures of Kansas. The Walker Art Gallery in Garnett houses a collection of mostly
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early twentieth century American paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings considered one of the most extraordinary art collections in the Midwest. The Safari Museum in Chanute tells the remarkable story of Martin and Osa Johnson, photographers, explorers, naturalists, authors and native Kansans. The Johnsons traveled the world from 1917 to 1936 and captured the public’s imagination with their films and books of adventure in distant exotic lands. Registration includes transportation and fees; lunch on your own. Register at www.lprd.org or any Lawrence Recreation Center. Oregon Trail Tour (Lawrence Parks and Recreation) Thursday, October 8, 10 a.m.12 p.m. Fee: $17 Location: Community Building Letís explore the route that hundreds of families in covered wagons followed through our area in the 1840s in what was then Indian Territory. We will meet
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near the gazebo in South Park, drive east toward Blue Mound, the first landmark on the 2,000mile trail, and follow the route including the trail marker crossing the KU campus. Tour Guide: Katie Armitage. Register at www.lprd.org or any Lawrence Recreation Center.
with the Medallion Award for Rehabilitation from the Kansas Preservation Alliance. Join us for a guided tour of the building, famous murals and visitor center. Registration deadline: October 27. Register at www.lprd.org or any Lawrence Recreation Center.
Lawrence Architecture Kansas State Capitol Tour (Lawrence Parks and (Lawrence Parks and Recreation/DCSS) Recreation) Thursday, October 22, 9:30 Tuesday, November 3, 9 a.m.a.m. - noon. Ages: 50 and 12 p.m. Fee: $25 Up. Enrollment: Min 8/Max 15. Lawrence neighborhoods By request, we will return to are treasure troves of historic the Kansas State Capitol this and aesthetically significant fall. This impressive public buildings and natural spaces. monument serves as the working Join us for a detailed tour of offices for the governor and one neighborhood. Tour Guide: legislators. Over a century after Brenna Buchanan Young. it was originally completed, Register at www.lprd.org or any a significant preservation and Lawrence Recreation Center. restoration project was honored
GROUP GETAWAY TOURS To register for a Group Getaways trip, contact Darla Bass at 785-215-8875 or email: mygroupgetaways@gmail.com. More trip information available online at mygroupgetaways.net. November 4-5: Kansas Combo! Lindsborg and Concordia November 12-13: Downstream Casino Resort December 1-3: Ozark Mountain Christmas in Branson December 6: Christmas with the Nelsons! And tour St. Joseph, MO. For details visit mygroupgetaways.net or call
ALSO HAPPENING AT THE SENIOR CENTER Popcorn Fridays (Ongoing) Every Friday, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Fee: None, but donations appreciated. Location: Lawrence Senior Center. Join us each Friday afternoon to enjoy a bag of freshly popped popcorn, just like you’d get at the movie theater. What a perfect snack to start off the weekend. Limit 1 free bag per person, while supplies last. Pool & Coffee (Ongoing) Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 8 a.m. Bingo (Ongoing) Thursdays, 11-11:45 a.m.
Sign up for CHAMPSS meals program!
Trinity In-Home Care Services: Light Housekeeping Meal Preparation Grocery Shopping Personal Care Daily Living Support Mobility Assistance
Companionship Medication Reminders Local Transportation Community Integration Caregiver Relief Respite Care
w w w. t i h c . o r g • P h o n e : ( 7 8 5 ) 8 4 2 - 3 1 5 9
Choosing Healthy Appetizing Meals Plan Solutions for Seniors (CHAMPSS) offers seniors age 60 and over choices of what they eat, where they eat and when they eat. Come join the growing number of seniors who enjoy the flexibility of dining options that accommodate their active lifestyles. A registered CHAMPSS member can obtain a CHAMPSS meal at any participating location simply y swiping their CHAMPSS card. Participating locations in
Lawrence include both Hy-Vee Stores. Menus are approved by a registered dietitian. An orientation program will be held October 5 at the Lawrence Public Libary from 2 to 3 p.m. Qualifying individuals will be given the opportunity to sign up for CHAMPSS.To learn more about the program and/or register, contact Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging: 785-235-1367; 800-7981366; TDD/TTY 800-776-3777; jhawkaaa.org.
60 & Better Page 11
NEW HORIZONS BAND SCHEDULE FALL/WINTER 2015
SERVING LAWRENCE, LECOMPTON, EUDORA, & BALDWIN CITY RESERVATIONS AND INFORMATION call 785-865-6925 Senior Wheels strives to meet the transportation needs of customers who are 60 years or older in Douglas County. Accompanying spouses & caregivers are also eligible to ride at no additional charge. Our drivers provide Door to Door assistance. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL RIDES.
Rehearsal are held at the Lawrence Senior Center, 745 Vermont Street. Rehearsals and concerts are held at 4 p.m., unless otherwise noted. Band Directors John Towner and Robert Wolfersberger encourage anyone interested in playing to join. Dues are $5 for the year. Contact John Towner at 785-865-3519 or 785-865-8851 (cell), or by email at towner@sunflower.com.
OCTOBER 9 - Brandon Woods Town Hall (Main Bldg), 1501 Inverness @ 3:45 16 - Rehearsal 23 - Pioneer Ridge Assisted Living (East), 4851 Harvard Road @ 3:45 30 - Rehearsal NOVEMBER 6 - Rehearsal 13 - Meadowlark Estates, 4430 Bauer Farm Drive 20 - Presbyterian Manor, 1429 Kasold Drive @ 4:15 p.m. 27 - CLOSED (Thanksgiving Break)
DECEMBER 4 - Pioneer Ridge Assisted Living (West), 4851 Harvard 11 - Rehearsal 18 - Arbor Court, 1510 St. Andrews Drive 25 - CLOSED (Christmas Holiday) JANUARY 1 - 2016 - CLOSED (New Yearís Break) 8 - Rehearsal
SCHEDULE EARLY: Due to a heavy demand for transportation, rides may be scheduled as far in advance as 7 days or as little as 48 hours. You should be ready to board 15 minutes prior to your scheduled ride. COST: $ 3.00 for each one way trip within the city limits of each community. $15.00 for trips outside of the city limits. (Example: a one way trip from Eudora to Lawrence) For detailed policy information, please call 785-865-6925 and ask for a Policy Manual. Baldwin City has a Volunteer Transportation Program. For Reservations or information about rides in Baldwin City call 785-594-3376.
Home Health | Hospice | Rehabilitation | Help at Home (785) 843-3738
●
www.kansasvna.org
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OCTOBER 2015 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
2 Lawrence Chronic Illness Support Group, Location varies. Please call Rachel at 979-5393 or Jean at 8650016 for information. 5 DCSS Caregiver Support Group, 2:15-3:45 p.m., Lawrence Senior Center. For information call Janet, 842-0543. 6 Grief Support Group, 10:30 a.m., Grace Hospice, 1420 Wakarusa, Ste. 202. For information call Dave Jenkins, 85-228-0400.
15 Low Vision/Blind Outreach Ministry Dinner, 5:30-7 p.m., Immanuel Lutheran Church and Student Center, 2104 Bob Billings Parkway (15th and Iowa St. adjacent to KU Campus). This group meets for dinners, social and speaker events, as well as day trips. RSVP encouraged for purpose of dinner reservations. Anyone in the community that is blind or has low vision is welcome. For information call 843-0620. 19 DCSS Caregiver Support Group, 2:15-3:45 p.m., Lawrence Senior Center. For information call Janet, 842-0543.
2015
7 Welcome to Medicare Meeting, 12 to 1 p.m., Lawrence Senior Center. Informational meeting for those new to Medicare. For information call 842-0543. 7 Legislative Forum, 2-3:30 p.m., Lawrence Public Library. Sponsored by DCCOA, OWL and DCACOA.
12 Free Blood Pressure Check, 11 a.m. to Noon, Lawrence Senior Center. Provided by Midland Care Connection. No appointment needed. 12 Breast Cancer Support Group, 5:30 p.m., Presbyterian Manor, 1429 Kasold. For information, call 8425250 or 840-2768. 14 Douglas County Coalition on Aging (DCCOA), 8 a.m., Lawrence Senior Center.
SEE WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT
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14 Kansas Veteran’s Commission discussion of benefits for low-income veterans and surviving spouses, 1:30 p.m., Lawrence Senior Center. For information call Rick Massey at 843-5233.
20 Parkinson’s Support Group, 2 p.m., First Presbyterian Church. For more information call Elaine, 760-1026. 20 Stroke Support Group, 4 p.m., Lawrence Memorial Hospital. For more information call 785-505-2886. 20 Grief Support Group, 10:30 a.m., Grace Hospice, 1420 Wakarusa, Ste. 202. For information call Dave Jenkins at 785-228-0400. 26 Breast Cancer Support Group, 5:30 p.m., Presbyterian Manor, 1429 Kasold. For information, call 8425250 or 840-2768. The University Bridge Club of Lawrence meets Saturdays from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Contact Cora at 8425567 for more information. If you would like your meeting listed in the calendar of events, please contact DCSS at 842-0543.
60 & Better Page 13
LEGALESE by Molly Wood
that is, you have to choose the hospice benefit voluntarily; • When you make an election for hospice, you receive hospice benefits instead of curative treatment; Q: I was reading a Medicare booklet that describes eligibility for “hospice” benefits, but I don’t really understand why I’d want hospice, and if I did, how to choose a hospice program.
• Medicare Part A will pay for a consultation with the physician who serves as the hospice medical director before you decide to make a hospice election.
A: You would want hospice care for yourself or a loved one if you did not wish to receive “curative treatment” for an illness but, rather, would prefer “palliative care” if “terminally ill.” Curative treatment is the kind of medical care we’re all used to receiving, that is, treatment which is intended to cure your injury or disease. Palliative care is not focused on a cure; palliative care is intended to sooth the pain of an injury or the painful symptoms of a disease. You may be considered terminally ill for hospice purposes when a physician certifies that you have a life expectancy of 6 months or less, if your illness runs its normal course.
• If you’re eligible, the sooner you elect the hospice benefit, the more time the hospice team of doctors, therapists, nurses, social workers, home health aides, and volunteers has to help you stay at home comfortably at the end of your life.
A couple of important points: • Under Medicare Part A, the hospice benefit is an election,
(Our local not-for-profit hospice, Visiting Nurses, offers certified palliative care specialists in its medical director and its hospice manager, among others.) The hospice benefit includes an array of services that are not otherwise offered through Medicare. For example, it covers all medications and medical equipment that are necessary to control your symptoms and enable you to maintain the activities of daily life. To keep you at home, if possible, hospice covers personal care services and
homemaker services, including light cleaning and laundering. Hospice covers inpatient hospital care if necessary for pain control and acute and chronic symptom management, as well as intermittent respite care to relieve your family members or others caring for you. (Lawrence Memorial Hospital has a certified palliative care consult team on staff that is dedicated to these services.) Before death, hospice beneficiaries are eligible for the counseling services of social workers and hospice volunteers, in addition to medical care. After death, families of hospice beneficiaries are eligible for bereavement support. (Visiting Nurses coordinates its “SkillBuilders” series specially designed to help widowed persons.) Most people receive hospice care in their homes, and the generous hospice benefits under Medicare support a person’s natural desire to avoid institutionalization, if possible. But people residing in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other residential care facilities can also benefit from the expanded benefits hospice offers. As far as I know, our deaths are certainties, therefore, we have every expectation that hospice may be necessary to us. We have very high expectations
of our medical professionals during life, and we also should expect high quality care at the end of life. You will be merciful to yourself and your family if you think about hospice whether hospice is a benefit that you want and how to get your family and health care providers on board with you - well before you need it. Lucky for us, we have high quality hospice services available right here in our home town. (Editor’s Note: Molly M. Wood is a partner at Stevens & Brand, LLP in Lawrence, Kansas where she confines her practice to Elder Law, especially seniors with long-term care issues. If you have a legal question or concern, call the Kansas Elder Law Hotline, a toll-free legal advice and referral service for Kansas Seniors, 1-(888)353-5337. An Elder Law Project attorney is available in Lawrence by appointment at Douglas County Senior Services, 842-0543.)
VIEVE LIFE | SHARE LIFE Right where you live. Referral and resources for senior care and living. 785-813-1851 www.vievehealth.org
60 & Better Page 14
ESTATE PLANNING:
THE COURT WILL
WE WILL BE THERE
When You Need Us Preserving, Protecting & Transferring Your Legacy
Retirement Accounts
(913) 871-2188
COREY A. RASMUSSEN
TODD RASMUSSEN
60 & Better Page 15
O.U.R.S.
(Oldsters United for Responsible Service)
Dances • October 2015 PLEASE NOTE: All Dances are held from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Eagles, 1803 W 6th St. Carry-in meal at 7:15 p.m. Cover charge is $7 per person. Everyone welcome.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4 Country Melody
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11 Dr. Cook’s Medicine Show
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18 Barbed Wire
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25 (Business Meeting 5 p.m.) Borderline Country
DCSS Board of Directors Dennis Domer, Chair Kathy Clausing-Willis, Secretary Judy Wright, Vice Chair Doni Mooberry, Treasurer Judy Bellome Kelly Calvert Dr. Phil Godwin Hank Booth Ellen Paulsen Steve Tesdahl Ernesto Hodison
WHY? Would you sell real estate at auction? Reason # 7
Most desirable division clarified with competitive bids!
The Auctioneers 800.887.6929 www.billfair.com
60 & Better Page 16
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785-843-8479 1112 W. 6th St. Ste. 100 Lawrence, KS www.marstonhc.com
Marston Hearing Center is an authorized dealer for Oticon, Phonak, Resound, Starkey, and other major brands. We provide parts and in-house repairs for most hearing aids as well as manufacturer repairs on all makes of hearing aids.
Call Gerald Whiteside, Au.D., CCC-A today!
Editor: Janet Ikenberry Executive Director: Gary Nelson
Printer: Lawrence Journal-World 609 New Hampshire, Lawrence, KS 66044 Douglas County Senior Services, Inc., is funded by Douglas County Mill Levy • Older Americans Act through the Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging • Kansas Department on Aging • Kansas Department of Transportation • special grants • project income • fund-raising activities • and your donations. Douglas County Senior Services, Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, age, sex, color, ancestry, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or size. If you feel that you have been discriminated against, you have the right to file a complaint with Douglas County Senior Services. 842-0543. (TDD: 1-800-766-3777). Toll free: 1-877-295-DCSS (1-877-295-3277) On the web: dgcoseniorservices.org