The local office of the Northeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging participating in Older Kansans Day at the Topeka State Capitol on Wednesday, March 27.
Kansas senior citizens visited the Statehouse on Wednesday, March 27 to share their concerns about transportation issues and the lack of medical services in their communities.
Various agencies on aging — including the Northeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging, joined together to bring awareness and visibility to the problems in Kansas. Many were advocating for Medicaid expansion, as well as expansion of such initiatives as the Older Kansans Employment Programs, which assists those who are 55 and older in getting jobs.
Another concern is the rapid growth of the aging population in Kansas, creating a demand for more services.
Rep. Stephanie Clayton, D-Overland Park, spoke to seniors at a gathering Wednesday for Older Kansans Day. After commending the seniors for their advocacy efforts, she said she hopes to hear more about issues facing senior citizens in other parts of the state.
Attending from the NEK-AAA was Megan Finch, community services program coordinator; Karen Wilson, director; Barbara Hutchinson, member and president of the committee and her husband, Dennis Hutchinson of Circleville.
Original article published in the Hiawatha World Newspaper, April 9, 2019. Written by Joey May.