News and updates from the Mid-America Regional Council
Double Up Food Bucks is once again available in the area, allowing those using SNAP (food assistance) benefits to double their food dollars for fresh fruits and vegetables. At grocery stores, shoppers can buy fresh produce using their SNAP EBT card. They’ll earn $1 for every $1 they spend. The Food Bucks they earn will […]
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Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the MARC-supported senior community centers closed on March 15, in accordance with the region’s stay-at-home orders and social-distancing guidelines, to protect residents from infection. Many older adults who previously relied on lunch-time meals served at the centers will now be served home-delivered meals while they remain in their homes. […]
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Today at the First Suburbs Coalition meeting, MARC honored four area cities for becoming more age friendly. Grandview and North Kansas City, Missouri, have achieved Silver Level status, while Grain Valley, Missouri, and Parkville, Missouri, were recognized with a Bronze Level award. To advance to Silver Level recognition, Grandview and North Kansas City conducted self-assessments […]
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Join us on Friday, Dec. 13 from 8–10:30 a.m., at the Mid-America Regional Council conference center, for an informative workshop that explores the role of cities and counties in designing housing and neighborhoods with enhanced community design features that accommodate residents of all ages and abilities. The rapidly growing population of older adults highlights a […]
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Community Health Workers (CHWs) are trained professionals who serve as a bridge between patients and health or social services agencies. Since they’re usually from the communities they serve, they understand and can represent the needs and interests of their clients, helping them to communicate better with health care providers and to self-manage their health conditions. […]
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Health departments around the metro area are urging parents to make sure their children are up-to-date on their childhood vaccines before school starts. New immunization requirements by the state of Kansas mean some students in the metro could be excluded from school if their vaccines are not up-to-date. “As you put together your back-to-school list, […]
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“Alexa, I need carrots.” For nearly two years, the Mid-America Regional Council’s Area Agency on Aging has pilot-tested a smart speaker app that can be used by eligible clients to order food from the comfort of their own home. The app uses voice commands through an Amazon Echo smart speaker to open the “Show-Me Pantry” […]
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Every year an estimated 5 million older Americans experience elder abuse, neglect or exploitation. In 2011, the United Nations declared June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), an international observance day each year to raise awareness about this growing problem. According to the Administration for Community Living, as many as 1 in 10 […]
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Nearly 175 professionals and volunteers who work with older adults attended the fourth annual Age Positive: Ideas for an Age-Friendly Future conference at the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center on May 8. Attendees learned innovative ideas to enhance the programming at their organizations. This year’s theme was “Thrive!” Keynote speaker Dr. Marshall Stewart, vice chancellor for […]
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The latest cities to be recognized for their age-friendly efforts are Olathe, Kansas, which received a bronze level designation, and Roeland Park, Kansas, which received a gold level designation. The Mid-America Regional Council honored the two cities at the First Suburbs Coalition meeting on April 19. To advance to gold level recognition, the city of […]
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