Active aging
September 2013 • Vol. 34-No. 10 316-942-5385
January 2004 • Vol. 25-No.2
Stop and smell the flowers on Highway 36 Treasure Hunt – Story on page 30
Questions About Services? Call your county Department on Aging for assistance. www.cpaaa.org Wichita 660-5120 Sedgwick County outside of Wichita toll-free 1-800-367-7298 Harvey County 284-6880 or toll free 1-800-750-7993 Butler County 775-0500 or toll free 1-800-279-3655 Active Aging: 316-942-5385
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The 2nd time around
It’s parenthood all over again for growing number of grandparents By Amy Geiszler-Jones When Bruce Bynum at the Kansas Children’s Service League meets with grandparents raising grandchildren who’ve come for help navigating parenting the second time around, he has a pretty good idea of what they’re going through. That’s because Bynum, 56, and his wife are raising eight of their 15 grandchildren. Their “grandfamily” ranges from a 2-year-old toddler to teenagers. The Bynums aren’t the only grandparents celebrating Grandparents Day Sept. 8 as “parents again.” According to census and AARP estimates, more than 3,000 grandparents in Wichita are raising their grandchildren. He understands how substance abuse has messed up the lives of the kids’ parents, often leading to parental rights being severed. He understands the need for extra beds in homes of Photo by Jim Meyer couples who were once empty-nesters. Cindy and Mark Miles are raising four of their grandchildren, from left, Heather, Malachi, Kaytlin and Hayley. And he understands how grandparents might not be accustomed to taking on some parental duties again: grandparents raising struggling with their change in roles.” He and his wife forgot to enroll their grandgrandchildren. It As a college student studying social son in school the first school year they had meets in the evening work, Gore helped advocate for her responsibility for the oldest of the eight kids to accommodate grandmother and aunt to raise a young they’re raising. working grandparcousin. “That gave me an insight into the Through the KCSL’s free Kinship Navigaents. dynamics of kinship families,” she said. tor Program, Bynum helps grandparents and “It’s a much“For the child, it really is in the best other relatives in Sedgwick County raising needed service in interest. They have a bond, and they want family members understand and navigate the community, to stay with families and the families need legal and personal issues related to parentbelieve me,” said B.J. this support.” ing the second time around. Bynum also Gore, 61, who started the program in 2006. is revitalizing a monthly support group for “They’re stressed, they’re angry and they’re Continued on page 18
ACTIVE AGING PUBLISHING, INC 125 S West St., Suite 105 Wichita, Ks 67213
Senior Expo offers demonstrations, amusements and more This year’s 28th Senior Expo features more than 130 exhibitors who will distribute resources, conduct hands on demonstrations and offer a variety of information. Free health screenings and health information will be provided to individuals 55 and older. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, at four popular Wichita museums: Botanica, 701 N. Amidon; Exploration Place, 300 N. McLean Blvd.; Old Cowtown Museum, 1871 Sim Park Dr.; and The Wichita Art Museum, 1400 W. Museum Blvd. Admission is free to anyone age 55 and older and to caregivers of all ages.
Senior Expo is the biggest event in the state targeting seniors and their interests, according to Annette Graham, Director of Central Plains Area Agency on Aging (CPAAA) and Expo sponsor. “This is a must see expo that highlights resources, opportunities and products for this growing population,” she says. Mini educational sessions will be offered at the museums. Locations/times will be announced in the Senior Expo magazine: Botanica – The Downing Children’s Garden, new in 2012. Cowtown – 1880s activities including gunfights, wagon rides, a blacksmith, dress
maker and the DeVore Farmhouse. Exploration Place – Mindbender Mansion, full of puzzles, brainteasers and interactive challenges to test the brain power and problem solving skills of even experienced puzzlers. Wichita Art Museum – Mini-tours exploring social and educational opportunities for seniors including grandparent/ grandchildren activities, midday movies, Senior Wednesdays information, Alzheimer’s programs and volunteer opportunities. Other special Expo features include free parking and bus transportation,
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