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Age Spots: A Big Win for Seniors by Jackie Dover
July 29th 2019 by Dee Loflin
Age Spots: A Big Win for Seniors by Jackie Dover

A Big Win for Seniors

Most everything we do at Aging Matters is a team effort. We all work together to give seniors in Southeast Missouri the best possible meals, programs and services. We also work with all the other Area Agencies on Aging (AAA’s) in the state of Missouri to effect change for all of the seniors in Missouri. One of our biggest wins is the passage of the Senior Growth and Development Fund. 

The Senior Growth and Development Fund is a sustainable dedicated funding stream that will be used by the Area Agencies on Aging to fund senior programs and services throughout the state. This will allow us to expand or begin services and 50% of the funds go directly to our local senior centers to help them with some of their needs. More funding means more services to a population that is rapidly expanding.

As many are aware 10,000, Americans turn 65 every day. This growth in the senior population has not been met with a similar growth in funding for programs to help these seniors, the Senior Growth and Development Fund will allow AAA’s to provide services to more seniors. 

The Senior Growth and Development Fund was part of SB 275 sponsored by Senator David Sater of Cassville and was amended during the legislative session with provisions relating to the Senior Growth and Development Fund by Senator Wayne Wallingford and Representative Kathryn Swan, both of Cape Girardeau.

Lt. Governor Kehoe signed the legislation in his capacity as Acting Governor due to the fact that Governor Mike Parson was out of the country, but noted the fact he had discussed this specific legislation with the Governor prior to his departure. During those discussions, Kehoe indicated that this was one of the pieces of legislation approved by the legislature this year that he was most passionate about, and both agreed that it would be appropriate for signing by the Lieutenant Governor.

Kehoe also noted that the passage of this law reflected a strong team effort, not only by key legislators such as Senator Sater, Senator Wallingford and Representative Swan, but also by the professional staff in his office and the Missouri Legislature, as well as the countless advocates for seniors at the grassroots level who have worked on this legislation for more than four years.

Kehoe also said that it was appropriate that the official bill signing occurred in Springfield, MO rather than in Jefferson City, noting that sometimes it is “good to get out of the capitol. This is where the real work gets done.”

Getting this funding has been a long journey and we are so thankful at Aging Matters for the amazing team of advocates and supporters we have had. Every Area Agency on Aging in Missouri, the Silver Haired Legislature, Senior Centers and local volunteers have worked tirelessly to make this a reality. Senator Wayne Wallingford and Representative Kathy Swan, both proudly from Southeast Missouri, worked extremely hard to make this a priority in both the Missouri House and Senate and get the approval needed. This team effort has paid off for all of Missouri seniors and we look forward to making a difference in the lives of Missouri seniors for many years to come. This really is a win for seniors in Missouri!

For additional information relating to this event and to the programs and services administered by Missouri’s Area Agencies on Aging, contact Catherine Edwards, Executive Director of the Missouri Association of Area Agencies on Aging at: cedwards@ma4web.org, or by phone at: 573-619-6185. Catherine Edwards contributed to this article.



Last Updated on July 29th 2019 by Dee Loflin
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/vcvm/Age-Spots-A-Big-Win-for-Seniors-by-Jackie-Dover


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Age Spots by Jackie Dover: Tough Love-Family Caregiving
June 10th 2019 by Dee Loflin
Age Spots by Jackie Dover: Tough Love-Family Caregiving
Tough Love-Family Caregiving

Rosalynn Carter once said, “There are only four kinds of people in the world; those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need a caregiver.” Caregiving is often referred to as the toughest job in the world. Many times, you are on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with no time off, no breaks and usually no pay. 
Caregivers sometimes have a very difficult time caring for themselves; there just are not enough hours in the day. Since 2001, Aging Matters has had a Family Caregiver Program that focuses on empowering and supporting unpaid caregivers providing care for someone over the age of 60. You do not have to be related to be a Family Caregiver and you do not have to provide round the clock care for this program to help.

The Aging Matters Family Caregiver Program assists caregivers by providing educational programs and information and assistance. Family Caregiver sponsors Caregiver Conferences throughout our 18 county service area, there will be a conference on June 12th in Piedmont, the theme is “Mentally Healthy and Happy”, there will be speakers and booths that can offer help and information. There will be other conferences scheduled including Grandparent raising Grandchildren conferences that will be in the fall after school starts. Those will be held in Cape Girardeau, Poplar Bluff and Hayti. Please call Aging Matters for more information about the conferences, 800-392-8771.

Sixty seven million people in the United States provide some care for a senior in their family or community, this number is growing every year. Respite Care is a service that is provided by the Family Caregiver Program. Respite care is needs based and allows a caregiver to take a break for a while and still have the loved one taken care of. 

Family Caregiver also helps with Supplemental Services, which may provide supplies and goods necessary for keeping an elder at home. The supplies need to be things the caregiver cannot provide and are not covered by Medicare or Medicaid. These supplies are items such as nutritional supplements and incontinent supplies. A "face to face" assessment is completed with the caregiver. Assessments are evaluated and assigned a score value and supplies grants are awarded based on that score. There is a limit on supplies of up to $250. Families may re-apply 12 months after they have used up their allotment.

We know caregiving can be an overwhelming task and no one should have to struggle through the process alone, it sometimes takes a team to provide care for an elderly loved one.  The Family Caregiver Support Program helps caregivers find the keys to successful caregiving. Please call Aging Matters 800-392-8771

Last Updated on June 10th 2019 by Dee Loflin
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/vcpr/Age-Spots-by-Jackie-Dover-Tough-LoveFamily-Caregiving


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Age Spots: In the Line of Duty by Jackie Dover
May 08th 2019 by Dee Loflin
Age Spots: In the Line of Duty by Jackie Dover
In the Line of Duty

As I sit writing, this article a headline that catches my attention is that of a Washington deputy who was shot and killed in the line of duty, responding to a call. According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, that makes the 33rd line of duty death for law enforcement in the United States this year. That is a 28% decrease over last year. A decrease is good, but 33 is still too high a number for in the line of duty deaths of officers.

I have known many law enforcement officers over the course of my life. As many of you know, my husband is a Deputy Sheriff and has been for 13 years and my baby brother is an emergency dispatcher in the town where we grew up. I have been lucky in many ways that I only know one person who lost his life in the line of duty. Bob was a Marine Corps buddy of my husband who also became a police officer. Bob was funny, kind and really bad at video games as I was able to beat him on multiple occasions. It was a shock when he was killed in a car crash in 2013 while on duty.

We still remember and talk about Bob and any time my husband speaks with his Marine Corps buddies, they take time to honor him.

When any officer dies in the line of duty much is lost; a friend, a sister, a father, a son or daughter, they all deserve to be remembered and honored for the sacrifice they made to keep us all safe. Senior and Lawmen Together (SALT) lead the way in honoring those in our area who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The SALT Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony recognizes 49 fallen heroes who died in the line of duty. On May 23 at 6:00 at Cape Bible Chapel, 2911 Kage Rd, Cape Girardeau, Mo we get a chance to remember with respect, gratitude and honor these 49 men who made a difference in their communities. We also get the chance to honor their families and make sure they know that we appreciate the sacrifices they have made. SALT honors those from the counties of Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Dunklin, Iron, Madison, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Ripley, Scott, Stoddard and Wayne. 

The Law Officer Memorial Ceremony is open to all and I encourage you to attend. During the evening we get to hear the winners of an essay contest with the theme “Police-Our Heroes”, it is inspiring how these young kids see police officers. The respect and appreciation they have is very moving. Sandy Karsten, Director of Public Safety will be the key note speaker, SALT will give out the Roger Fields Award and the reason why we all gather the Final Call, a recitation of the 49 heroes we are honoring. 

SALT also sponsors the Law Officer Memorial located at Cape County Park North. This memorial has all 49 names of the fallen heroes, from our area engraved and stands as a lasting tribute to their sacrifice. I encourage you to visit and take a moment to say thank you to these 49 heroes.

For those not able to attend the Memorial, Police Week goes form Sunday May 12 until Saturday May 18. Please take the time to thank an officer for all they do for us.

We are lucky there are men and women who are willing to risk so much for those they do not know. That so many have the courage and bravery needed to put their lives at risk every time they go to work. Please take the time to honor those who lost their lives in the line of duty and thank those who still serve.

Last Updated on May 08th 2019 by Dee Loflin
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/vckg/Age-Spots-In-the-Line-of-Duty-by-Jackie-Dover


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Age Spots: Silver Haired Legislature Election will be May 7 by Jackie Dover
April 22nd 2019 by Dee Loflin
Age Spots: Silver Haired Legislature Election will be May 7 by Jackie Dover
Silver Haired Legislature Election will be May 7

The Silver Haired Legislature (SHL) is a formally elected body of citizens 60 years of age or older that promote conscientious legislative advocacy for Missouri’s older adults.

All members are volunteers who serve without pay.  Currently there are no term limits so a delegate may be re-elected to an unlimited number of terms.  The elected delegates meet several times at Aging Matters in Cape Girardeau and participate in a mock legislative session patterned after the MO General Assembly.  The session is in Jefferson City in the fall of each year.  Many of the activities take place in the Senate and House chambers of the Capitol building.

The SHL delegates work all year as advocates for senior issues.  They are updated on proposed legislation and stay in touch with the legislators.  Many of the legislators contact the SHL delegates asking for their input on proposed legislation.

There are 10 Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) in Missouri and SHL delegates are elected from each AAA area.  This brings about 150 seniors together in Jefferson City to present proposals, debate issues, and choose the top five for which they will advocate during the year.

If you are interested in becoming a SHL delegate, you should file a Declaration of Candidacy with the Aging Matters office.  This statement must arrive in the office by close of business on April 30.  You may obtain an application by contacting our office at 1-800-392-8771 or locally at 335-3331 ext. 113 or pick one up at your local senior center.

There are five Representative and one Senate seat up for election this year. The May 7 election will be held at the area senior centers during regular business hours.  Contact our office to learn more about this very important program.


Last Updated on April 22nd 2019 by Dee Loflin
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/vchn/Age-Spots-Silver-Haired-Legislature-Election-will-be-May-7-by-Jackie-Dover


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Age Spots: Hidden Gems by Jackie Dover
March 11th 2019 by Dee Loflin
Age Spots: Hidden Gems by Jackie Dover

Hidden Gems

Clients often say they wish they had learned about Aging Matters earlier, so we could have helped them with previous issues. Aging Matters is like a hidden gem, a valuable service that not enough people know about. With that in mind, I realized there are many programs and services that could be a benefit if more people knew about them.

The first hidden gem is Wolfner Library. Wolfner Library is a free library service for qualifying Missourians who are unable to use standard print reading materials due to a physical or visual disability. Wolfner Library offers a wide variety of services including: 

  • Braille 
  • Large print 
  • Fiction and non-fiction audio books for all ages 
  • Over 70 magazine subscriptions
  • Loanable machines for those renting audio books

Materials are mailed to and from library patrons free, that is right there is no cost for these services. As an avid reader, I think this is one of the most amazing services available. If you would like more information, you can visit the Wolfner Library website: www.sos.mo.gov/wolfner or follow them on Facebook: facebook.com/wolfnerlibrary or call 800-392-2614.

Another little gem that has benefitted many seniors is the South Central Pension Rights Project. Pension counseling projects assist anyone with a pension question or problem, regardless of age, income, or value of the claim. This is a free service. If you have ever tried to find a pension from a company that changed names or ownership, you know how valuable this help is. 

Pension counselors assist:

  • Answering questions about complicated pension laws and how they affect retirement
  • Obtaining and explaining hard to find retirement publications, forms and other documentation
  • Correcting pension miscalculations
  • Claiming retirement benefits  that have been denied
  • Tracking down benefits from past employers

South Central Pension Rights Project is the pension-counseling project that serves Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. If you have questions, you can contact them at www.southcentralpension.org or 800-443-2528.

Other little gems from Aging Matters are our Medicare Bootcamps. At a Bootcamp, we cover all the parts of Medicare including when, where and how to enroll. We also discuss the cost, penalties and coverage. It is everything you wanted to know about Medicare, but were afraid to ask.

We also have regional Scamborees. These events go into detail on how to protect yourself from scams and fraud, and what to do if you are a victim. These programs are held throughout the year in the Aging Matters service are. Our toll free number is 800-392-8771; you can check our web page http://www.agingmatters2u.com/ or our Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/Aging-Matters.


Last Updated on March 11th 2019 by Dee Loflin
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/vc9m/Age-Spots-Hidden-Gems-by-Jackie-Dover


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