Sedgwick County 
Department on Aging

Sedgwick County Suicide Prevention Task Force

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Sedgwick County's Department on Aging is here to help with answers to your questions.  For your convenience we provide you the opportunity to submit your question, problem, or inquiry to us online.  Once your question is received a representative of the Department on Aging will contact you or send you related material.  How May We Help You?

Healthy Body, Healthy Mind

Today there are 84,837 adults age 55 and older living in Sedgwick County. Twenty-five percent of them suffer from clinical depression. Many people believe that depression is a normal part of aging, therefore, it often goes overlooked or untreated. However, despite its prevalence among older adults, depression is not a normal part of aging.

In coordination with National Depression Screening Day, the Sedgwick County Department on Aging and the Aging and Wellness Coalition of Sedgwick County will host “Healthy Body, Healthy Mind” - a program to promote fun and healthy ways to maintain the body and improve mental wellness from 2 to 4 p.m. on October 29 at American Red Cross, 1900 E. Douglas in Wichita.

Click here to read more about this event.

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FY2010 Aging and Physical Disability Mill Levy Funding Application

The Sedgwick County Department on Aging intends to fund various Aging and Physical Disability programs for fiscal year 2010 (January 1, 2010 – December 31, 2010).  Programs currently funded include in-home and community services that enhance independence and ability to remain in the community.  To be considered for funding, the application must be received no later than September 18, 2009.  For more information, contact Stacy Nilles at (316) 660-5230 (Aging) or Valerhy Powers at (316) 660-5158 (Physical Disability). 

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Aging in Place Initiative

As part of a national movement to promote “Aging in Place” initiatives, Sedgwick County was one of four communities to host workshops throughout the month of June, bringing local experts together for discussions aimed at helping older Americans remain in their communities.

Click here to read more about the "Aging in Place" initiative.

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Family Caregivers

According to the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA), in any given year, more than 50 million people provide some level of care-giving services. Those services are valued at more than $306 billion dollars a year. Family caregivers provide more than 80 percent of all home care services.  American businesses can lose as much as $34 billion each year due to employees’ need to care for loved ones who are 50 years of age or older.

Watch a short video about caring for caregivers.
Read the text version of this video.

Click here for more information and to learn how you can make a difference in a caregiver's life.

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Digital TV Conversion

DTV technology is more flexible and efficient than the current analog system.  By law, full-power television stations nationwide began broadcasting exclusively in a digital format on June 12, 2009.

The DTV converter box coupon program has reached its funding ceiling.  However, coupon requests from eligible households will be filled when funds are available from expiring coupons or from recent Congressional legislation.  If you would like to apply for a coupon, you will be placed on a waiting list and will receive a coupon on a first-come-first-served basis.  If you have questions about the switch or how to install and use your converter box, visit dtvanswers.com.

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FREE Smoke Detectors for Seniors

The City of Wichita's Fire Prevention Program is now offering free smoke detectors to seniors.  For more information, please contact them at 268-4441.

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RSVP Volunteer Program
Get Involved. Lead. Inspire. Change the World. Again.

RSVP Links adults age 55 and older with volunteer opportunities in their community.  The Sedgwick County Department on Aging's RSVP program offers a wide range of challenging and exciting volunteer experiences.  For information on volunteer opportunities visit Volunteer Opportunities.

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Mission Statement

To be the recognized leader in a collaborative effort toward assisting diverse populations of older adults and persons with physical disabilities to maintain their choice of lifestyle through education, advocacy and services.

Vision Statement

We are an organization dedicated to preserving individual dignity, enhancing the overall quality of life, and nurturing independence for older adults and persons with physical disabilities by:

• Creating bridges to the community at every level to ensure that all individuals can easily access services;

• Developing partnerships with other organizations to enhance and create services that address the changing needs of older adults;

• Strengthening our position as recognized leaders that support and promote education, innovation, growth and ongoing development of services in our community;

• Remaining fiscally strong, flexible, and self-supporting in order to fulfill our commitments, and to convert fiscal challenges into new opportunities. 

• We dedicate ourselves to achieve all of this, with trust, caring, and respect for each other, and for the people we serve.