Manhattan Public Library Offers Ways to Start Your Digital Adventure

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Join Wandean Rivers, Manhattan’s Public Library tech trainer for help developing or sharpening your digital skills.

Individualized Tech Help: Call for an appointment at 785-556-4741 ext. 302

  • Tech Drop In – Meadowlark Hills King Room – Every 3rd Thursday of the month

  • Tech Drop In – Manhattan Senior Center – Every 1st Monday of the month

  • Basic Tech Class – 55+ re-entering the workforce – July & October sessions

Call 785-776-4741 Ext. 302 for information and registration!

Advocacy Alert

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Advocacy Alert

Your voice is needed NOW to protect the Integrity of the Older Americans Act (OAA) and ensure funding for all OAA services needed by older Kansans and older Americans

Your voice is a powerful tool, and now is the time to let your legislators hear that voice loud and clear!

As the budget proposals and talks wend their way through the U.S. Congress, older Americans and their loved ones need to use their voices to encourage their legislators to support the Older Americans Act (OAA) and its services for older Kansans and Americans.

What to Know:

In early April, the Administration announced that the Administrations for Community Living (ACL) was eliminated, and the number of ACL staff was also reduced.

A draft of President Trump's FY 2026 proposed budget indicated that the Older Americans Act (OAA) programs be split into two different areas in two different departments. Advocates are concerned that fragmenting these programs will create inefficiencies and reduce coordination among key programs.

The Older Americans Act language states the goal of consolidation of OAA in one department in the US Department of Health and Human Services under leadership of the Assistant Secretary on Aging.

The draft proposal also indicates that several key OAA, elder justice and human services would be defunded.

Lawmakers in Washington D.C. need to hear from Kansans concerned about the threats to the integrity and mission of the Older Americans Act now!

What You Can do Now:

1. Call members of Congress today. Let them know that the Older Americans Act is important to you and ask them to do everything possible to ensure the integrity of the Older Americans Act is not compromised.

  • Ask that they do everything possible to ensure that OAA programs remain consolidated in one department - Administration for Children and Families of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and that all titles of the Older Americans Act - and other important and essential programs that help older Kansans - remain fully funded in the FY 26

  • Contact information for members of Congress serving Kansas ni the Washington D.C. is included at the end of this alert.

2. Ask five friends to make calls to their members of Congress.

Suggested message:

Senator _____/Congressman or Congresswoman _____ - the Older Americans Act is important to older Kansans and caregivers. I am concerned about plans that would harm the integrity and funding for the OAA. Please do everything you can to ensure that all the Older Americans Act programs will be administered under one department of the Health and Human Services and that al Older Americans Act titles are fully funded in the FY 26 budget.

Thank you for your attention and for all you might do to raise your advocacy voice. Please feel free to connect with our office at ncfhaaa.com if you have questions.

Julie Govert Walter, Executive Director, NC-FHAAA - 800-432-2703

Come join us for the Sunflower Fair 2025!

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2025 Sunflower Fair: Let's Celebrate 50 Fruitful Years

Mark your calendars for September 16 now!

Fifty years is a celebration of decades of living, and in the case of the North-Central Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging it's 50 years of providing older Kansans with information, resources, and referrals to make each year more fruitful.

Celebrate with the NCHAAA on its 50th anniversary at the 2025 Sunflower Fair, Tuesday, September 16, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Tony's Pizza Events Center in Salina.

Workshops will provide trusted information on a variety of topics, including Social Security, Finances and Money, Dementia and Alzheimer's, and legal help.

Activities include health screenings, great exhibits, a silent auction, a Sunflower Fair Fabulous 50 Raffle, and prizes.

Lunch! A celebration banquet.

Cost for the all-day premier health and wellness event is $25 with advance reservations and $30 at the door.

Reservations: call 800-432-2703 or 785-776-9294.

Learn more

Grow Green Day 2025

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We would love to have you support the North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging, Inc during Grow Green Match Day on April 22, 2025!

Grow Green Match Day on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, holds an incredible opportunity for nonprofit agencies with endowed funds at the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation. On this day, GMCF will provide a 50% match on eligible donations to participating endowment funds. Donors will make a gift to one or several of the participating organizations. 

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Colony Square Atrium, 555 Poyntz Avenue, from 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
(Online gifts can be made between 12:00 AM and 11:59 PM on April 22)

Individual contributions ranging from $25 to $1,000 per organization will receive a local match at $.50 per $1, so a $1,000 gift will receive a $500 local match. If a donor gives a $5,000 gift split evenly between five organizations, each group is eligible to receive a $500 match. 

Combined donations of $15,000 will be matched at 50%, giving a maximum of $7,500 in matching funds to any one organization.

Gifts made by community donors will go directly to each organization for their immediate needs. The match money earned by each non-profit group will be deposited into their GMCF-endowed fund. Some may choose to add all gifts to their endowment.

Each hour, one donor who made a gift at the live event at Colony Square Atrium will be drawn for $100 to give to the participating fund of their choice.

Matching Donors

Thank you to our generous match donors for increasing the impact of giving on Grow Green Match Day for our community.

Butler Family Community Foundation - Matching Fund for Arts & Humanities

Goldstein Family Foundation

Lincoln & Dorothy Deihl Fund

Marvin Robinson Trust

1998 Jack Goldstein Charitable Trust

Jack Goldstein Charitable Trust

Specific Need

Invest in real help that your older friends and neighbors need. Inflation, higher costs and workforce issues have eroded the buying power of the funding for important services we provide and coordinate.  We are committed to serving the increasing numbers of older Kansans, people living with disabilities and caregivers who need our Agency’s help. Your gift will help multiply the differences we make in people's lives.

Our needs include:

  • Funds to sustain Friendship Meals / Meals on Wheels at local Senior Centers in this part of Kansas as food, fuel, and supply costs escalate

  • Support for helping people navigate their Medicare benefits -- avaialble from our Agency for a voluntary contribution

  • Staffing for helping Kansas families access essential In-Home Services that make it possible for loved ones to maintain well-being at home

Mission

The North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization that plans, coordinates and provides services in 18 north central Kansas counties to enhance the quality and dignity of life for older Kansans and those living with disabilities, as well as their families and family caregivers. We serve as the area-wide Aging and Disabilities Resource Center. All services are available without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.

Profile

For almost 50 years the North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging has provided and coordinated community services to help older Kansans be healthy, stay engaged in life and maintain their well-being beyond the doorways of hospitals and nursing facilities.

Here are a few stories about people we have helped from "Stories from Hearts of Seniors":

Ron P. is "84 years young" and lives in Wamego with his daughter and son-in-law. Ron's health problems this past year made his family concerned since his daughter and son-in-law both work during the day. Now, the NC-FH AAA and Wamego Senior Center prepare and deliver meals to Ron each day so he isn't alone. His daughter is very grateful knowing that Ron's volunteer will be knocking on the door each week day to check on him with a hot meal in hand. When Ron was hospitalized, the Wamego Senior Center called his daughter to check on him. She appreciates that there are people who care about her father. Thanks to these "friendship meals" that are made possible by the Older Americans Act, funding from the State of Kansas and voluntary contributions, Ron and his family can go about their days with peace of mind. 

--Ron P., Wamego, KS 

Jay and Belinda H. live in Junction City. They have visited the NC-FH AAA to enroll in Medicare for at least eight years. Thanks to SHICK Counseling, Jay found the best Medicare Part D plan for his needs when he transitioned from the Affordable Care Act to Medicare. His SHICK counselor also helped determine his eligibility for the Medicare Savings Program. "Anytime I go there (NC-FH AAA) I get great help," Jay said. "If I could grade them from 1-10, I would give them a 10." 

--Jay H., Junction City 

Medicaid is very important for many older Kansans, yet it can be difficult to navigate. Janice A. knows this struggle all too well. She has been bounced on and off of Medicaid since 2019. Her frustration led her to the NC-FH AAA to speak with a case manager, Maley. Together they reached a Medicaid official over the phone and resolved the issues that Janice was facing. Through the Home and Community Based Services-Frail and Elderly Waiver Maley was able to get Janice on full Medicaid. For Janice, this was a major triumph. She rests much easier now that she knows In-home will be there for her through Medicaid.

--Janice A., Manhattan, KS 

Download the donate form here! Or go to https://www.growgreenmanhattan.com/ for more information and ways to donate!

Thank you for your support of older Kansans!

Please Mark Your Calendar To Help Us Help Others on April 22, 2024!

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https://www.growgreenmanhattan.com/

The Greater Manhattan Community Foundation is hosting Grow Green Match Day on April 22, 2024. growgreenmanhattan.com

All Donations between $25 and $100 received on this day will be matched 50% up to $7,500. Please make sure to designate North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging when you donate.

Budgest are tight!

Your gift on Grow Green Match Day on April 22 helps us keep providing these needed services across our 18-county region:

  • Friendship Meals at local Senior Centers

  • Trustworthy Medicare Information

  • Help from Real People in Real Time

Answers for Older Kansans (AOK) Seminar Series, focused on protecting oneself from scams, continues through April:

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An Answers for Older Kansans Seminar Series "Scam Scan" hosted by North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging and Kansas Legal Services has begun. The seminars are free and open to the public.

 

Seminars began January 24th with great attendance. With such high demand, seminars are continuing through April. Corinne Petrik, managing attorney at Kansas Legal Services, recent Sunflower Fair Presenter, and presenter for this Seminar Series, summed up what to expect should you attend:


"Avoiding Scams: Theft, Fraud, And The Things That Go Bump In The Night!" Getting scammed can happen to anyone. I'm willing to bet that anyone reading this publication has had an email, phone call, or text message today that has attempted to scam them. This presentation is designed to help you recognize common scams in order to avoid falling prey to them. You will learn prevention tips to help keep you, your money, and your information safe!


April 2024 Dates:

 

April 10th at 10:30 AM

Glen Elder Senior Center

113 N. Mill St.

Glen Elder, KS 67446

785-545-3444

 

April 10th @ 12:30 PM

Jewell County Senior Center

214 N. High – Suite 2

Mankato, KS 66956

785-378-3385

 

April 24th @ 10:30 AM

Ellsworth Senior Center

119 W. 4th Street

Ellsworth, KS 67439

785-472-5185

 

April 24th at 12:30 PM

Wilson Senior Center

511 25th Street

Wilson, KS 67490

785-658-2388

 

To register for additional Answers for Older Kansans (AOK) Seminars such as Medicare Basics, visit us online at www.ncfhaaa.com/seminars or by calling 1-800-432-2703.

 

Upcoming Medicare Basics Dates are as follows: (pre-registration is required, seminars are free)

Medicare Basics (offered via zoom or in-person): a class to educate and inform you of the “in’s and out’s” of Medicare, especially if you are close to 65 years of age and preparing to enroll in Medicare.

 

Zoom: April 3rd and 4th from 5:30 pm – 7 pm

In-Person – Manhattan, KS – Manhattan Public Library, 1 pm – 3 pm

Zoom: April 17th and 18th; 5:30 pm – 7 pm


Can't wait to have you join us!  --Your friends at the NC-FH AAA

Social Security and OIG Hold 5th Annual National Slam the Scam Day

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The Social Security Administration and its Office of the Inspector General (OIG) are partnering once again to raise public awareness about Social Security imposter scams during their fifth annual “Slam the Scam” Day on March 7.

 

“As public servants, we must use every tool at our disposal to raise awareness and protect the American people against Social Security imposter scams,” said Martin O’Malley, Commissioner of Social Security.  “Scammers use fear and deception to scare people out of their critical benefits.  We urge everyone to protect their personal information, remain vigilant, do not give money, and report any scam attempts to oig.ssa.gov.” 

 

Social Security scams--where fraudsters mislead victims into making cash, gift card, or wire transfer payments to fix alleged Social Security number problems or to avoid arrest--are an ongoing government imposter fraud scheme.  Social Security impersonation scams have been one of the most common government imposter scams reported to the Federal Trade Commission.  Social Security continues to make concerted efforts to address this issue, through extensive outreach and investigative initiatives.  

 

Criminals use sophisticated tactics to trick potential victims into disclosing personal and financial information.  Typically, they use these P’s – Pretend, Prize or Problem, Pressure, and Payment.  For example, scammers pretend they are from Social Security in phone calls, texts, emails, and direct messages on social media, and claim there is a problem with the person’s Social Security number.  The scammer’s caller ID may be spoofed to look like a legitimate government number.  Scammers may also send fake documents to pressure people into complying with demands for information or money.  Other common tactics include citing “badge numbers,” using fraudulent Social Security letterhead, and creating imposter social media pages to target individuals for payment or personal information.

 

“On our fifth National Slam the Scam Day, we are just as committed as we were in 2020. The scammers have not stopped, and we will not stop in our commitment to increase public awareness of these pervasive scams,” said Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General for SSA.  “We are grateful for the many partnerships we have formed over the last 5 years in support of this initiative and the collaborative efforts that have come forth.  We must continue to work together to slam the scam.”

 

Social Security will never tell you that your Social Security number is suspended; contact you to demand an immediate payment; threaten you with arrest; ask for your credit or debit card numbers over the phone; request gift cards or cash; or promise a Social Security benefit approval or increase in exchange for information or money.

 

Social Security employees do contact the public by telephone for business purposes.  Ordinarily, the agency calls people who have recently applied for a Social Security benefit, are already receiving payments and require an update to their record, or have requested a phone call from the agency.  If there is a problem with a person’s Social Security number or record, Social Security will typically mail a letter.

 

Today’s events include:

 ·         1 p.m. ET:  Join USAgov’s National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) X/Twitter chat (in Spanish) for advice on avoiding common scams with @USAGovEspanol.  Follow the conversation by using the hashtags #OjoConLasEstafas and #NCPW2024. 

·         3 p.m. ET:  Join USAgov’s NCPW X/Twitter chat (in English) for advice on avoiding common scams with @USAGov.  Follow the conversation by using the hashtags #SlamTheScamChat and #NCPW2024. 

 

To report a scam attempt, go to oig.ssa.gov.  For more information, please visit www.ssa.gov/scam and www.ssa.gov/fraud.

Answers for Older Kansans (AOK) Seminar Series 2024

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An Answers for Older Kansans Seminar Series "Scam Scan" hosted by North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging and Kansas Legal Services continues through March 2024 and possibly April 2024!

Seminars began in late January and this Scam Scan Seminar Series will last through March. Corrine Petrik, managing attorney at Kansas Legal Services provided the following about this seminar series:

"Avoiding Scams: Theft, Fraud, And The Things That Go Bump In The Night!" Getting scammed can happen to anyone. I'm willing to bet that anyone reading this publication has had an email, phone call, or text message today that has attempted to scam them. This presentation is designed to help you recognize common scams in order to avoid falling prey to them. You will learn prevention tips to help keep you, your money, and your information safe!

Upcoming dates/times/locations are below:

March 13th: Golden Wheel Senior Center at 10:30 am

114. Concord St.

Minneapolis, KS  67467

785-392-3338

March 13th: Lincoln Senior Center @ 12:30 pm

116 W. Lincoln Ave.

Lincoln, KS  67455

785-524-4738

March 20th: Hillsboro Senior Center @ 10:30 am

212 N. Main St.

Hillsboro, KS 67063

620-947-2304

March 20th: Peabody Senior Center @ 12:30 pm

106 N. Walnut St

Peabody, KS 66866

620-983-2226

Can't wait to have you join us!

--Your friends at NC-FH AAA

Medicare Open Enrollment Begins October 15th!

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Have you made plans to review your Medicare Part D? Do you like to save a bit of money if possible? Then you should review your Part D plan Every. Single. Year.

The review can take 30 minutes of your time, which could save you money throughout the year. It does not cost anything to review your Part D plan. You can complete this review by doing 1 of the following things:

  • Call and schedule an appointment with a SHICK counselor near you or at your local North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging (1-800-432-2703)

  • Reach out to your local Research and Extension office. They sometimes will provide these reviews.

  • Call Medicare to complete a review over the phone

  • Visit Medicare.gov to sign into Planfinder and complete a review

What do you need for your review?

  • An updated list of your medications (which includes dosages and frequency)

  • Medicare number - This also helps with creating a log-in at medicare.gov

  • Or username and password if you already completed a log-in in past years

"Why" Film Screening at Salina Public Library

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“Why” addresses some of the barriers in recognizing and addressing early cognitive changes as well as supporting a hopeful, empowered approach to moving forward. Individuals featured in the film include individuals diagnosed with a dementia, family members, physicians, nurse and researchers. The film is 37 minutes with time for comments and questions after. KU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and NC-FH AAA to co-host. Wednesday, June 14, 6:30 - 7:30 pm. No cost to attend. This is open to the public. Pre-registration is not required. If you’d like to help give us an idea of how many will attend, you can pre-register at www.ncfhaaa.com/seminars, or call us at 1-800-432-2703.

In-Person SHICK Training this Summer!

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Become a SHICK volunteer for a rewarding experience helping others navigate Medicare. Training provided.

New to SHICK? Attend an Initial SHICK Training session August 23 or 30. (must register and complete pre-trainings first)

Existing SHICK Counselor? Attend the “Update” SHICK Training session on August 22, 2023.

Registration can be completed over the phone, 1-800-432-2703, or by visiting www.ncfhaaa.com/seminars

See below links for more information:

https://kdads.ks.gov/kdads-commissions/long-term-services-supports/aging-services/medicare-programs/shick

https://kdads.ks.gov/docs/librariesprovider17/commissions/medicare-programs/shick-coordinator-and-counselor-information/shick-counselor-information-and-resources/shick-volunteer.pdf?sfvrsn=38afc5ff_7

"On the road again..."

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We are pleased to announce that AOK (Answers for Older Kansans) Seminars will begin to be presented in person again! NC-FH AAA and Kansas Legal Services (KLS) have formulated a plan to provide trustworthy information at our April AOK Seminar Series. We are delighted that Corinne Petrik and Dom Cavicchia, attorneys at Kansas Legal Services and with expertise in Elder law issues, are planning to present on the topic at the dates listed below. This seminar is titled: “DPOA Basics and Legal Bingo”.

Older Kansans and caregivers will be given opportunities to confer one-on-one with KLS staff. Follow-up seminars on selected topics are also being planned. Registration not required.

The dates and times for the seminars can also be found on our “calendar” page or our “seminar” page

Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 10:30 at Jewell County Friendship Meals, Mankato

Thursday, April 13, 2023 @ 12:30 at Concordia Senior Center, Concordia

Thursday, April 20, 2023 @ 10:30 at Hill Top Community Center, Herington

Thursday, April 20, 2023 @ 12:45 at Council Grove Senior Center, Council Grove

Kansas Legal Services Seminar: "What to do when there is a death in the family"

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On April 4, 2023 @ 5:30 pm via ZOOM, join Kansas Legal Service and North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging for the Kansas Legal Services Zoom Seminar re: “What to do when there is a death in the family”

With the death of a loved one, you are no doubt grieving and can feel overwhelmed by the legal and financial things you must address in the midst of this challenging time. What should I do about the debts? the property? the bank accounts? Come learn from Kansas Legal Services the next steps you should consider as you navigate this uncertain terrain. This event will be via ZOOM.

To register, call us at 1-800-432-2703 or visit us online at https://www.ncfhaaa.com/seminars

Caregiver Connection via ZOOM

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Our Caregiver Talk Show has been on hiatus, but we plan to return on March 8th at 12pm for what we will call “Caregiver Connection”. We will host an informal, casual Zoom meeting allowing us space to share our common, yet diverse Caregiver experiences. We hope to shelve our worries for a period of time and soak in the support of those who are facing similar challenges. Whether you are a current or former caregiver; long-distance or live-in caregiver, you are most welcome. Please call 1-800-432-2703 or visit us online at https://www.ncfhaaa.com/seminars to register. There is no cost to register.