Whaddaya Know: This Harvey county native appeared in 600 episodes of Gunsmoke. Who was he? (Answer page 8)
Super Sandwich page 13
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Vol 41 • No. 3
www.theactiveage.com Kansas’ Award-winning Top 55+ News Source
February 2020 February 2020
Rolling with it
Gov. Laura Kelly, center, wants to expand Medicaid in Kansas but is being opposed by Sens. Susan Wagle and Ty Masterson.
Medicaid expansion, senior funds on agenda in Topeka
Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Wichita, KS 67276 Permit 1711
the active age TOPEKA —Expanding Medicaid coverage is just one of several issues before the 2020 Kansas Legislature that could affect seniors for years to come. Some advocates say it’s imperative that the state act now to adequately
support its growing number of older residents. “2020 to 2030 is a critical decade for aging services in our state,” Annette Graham, executive director of the Central Plains Area Agency on Aging, said. “We really need to do some heavy lifting.” According to the Kansas Area Agencies on Aging, of which CPAAA is a member, the number of Kansans 60 and older has grown by the “colossal” rate of 8.6 percent during just the last four years. In January, Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and Senate Republican leader
See Medicaid, page 6
ACTIVE AGING PUBLISHING, INC 125 S West St., Suite 105 Wichita, Ks 67213
Make your voice heard Want to weigh in on what’s happening in Topeka? It’s easy to find phone numbers and email addresses for your state representative and senator at ksleglookup.com. CPAAA also is planning a Senior Day at the state Capitol on March 18 for residents and legislators from Sedgwick, Butler and Harvey counties. Call 1-855-200-2372 for more infomation.
Questions about services?
Casey and Larry Furnish dance on despite his debilitating stroke
Courtesy photo
Larry and Casey Furnish attended a Friends University football game with friends from New Life Covenant Church last year. By Amy Geiszler-Jones under our feet,” Casey said during Casey and Larry Furnish often an interview at their south Wichita refer to the first 32 years of their home, which friends from New Life 38-year marriage as “BS” – short for Covenant Church helped modify and before stroke. make handicap accessible following Late on the evening of July 31, Larry’s rehabilitation. 2013 – their 32nd wedding anniversaIf anything, the pair has grown ry — Larry suffered the first of two more active on Wichita’s senior center strokes, the second of which left him social dance circuit. primarily confined to a wheelchair. “We go to two or three dances a With love, faith and a big dose week,” Casey, 73, said as she ticked of determination, the Furnishes off the centers they frequent. There’s persevered through Larry’s difficult Goldenrod on Wednesday, Minisa rehabilitation to return to doing on Thursday, Orchard on Friday and many of their favorite things: attend- Linwood on Saturday. ing professional rodeos, camping at Orchard’s dances get top billing the Walnut Valley Bluegrass Festibecause for the past two years, Larval, spending time with family and ry, 71, has been in charge of telling friends and dancing. “We try not to let grass grow See Rolling, page 10
Central Plains Area Agency on Aging or call your county Department on Aging: 1-855-200-2372
Butler County: (316) 775-0500 or 1-800- 279-3655 Harvey County: (316) 284-6880 or 1-800-279-3655