News & Issues
Caregivers in KC: A Community of Care
By 2030, it’s predicted that adults over the age of 60 will outnumber those under 18 for the first time in U.S. history. How are older residents and their caregivers equipped to meet the challenges inherent in aging in our area? Flatland looks at two organizations providing services intended to support people staying in…
Read MoreCaregivers in KC: Planning for the Future
Becoming a caregiver is a responsibility that can sometimes arise unexpectedly. After the birth of a child with a disability, or the health decline of a parent or spouse, caregiving often comes with important financial considerations. Health care and supply costs for caregivers can add up quickly, and your income may be reduced as you…
Read MoreWhen Going Under the Knife Does Not Mean Surgery
Chef Educator Rachel Ciordas deftly sliced collard greens into a ribbon-like chiffonade as students from the University of Kansas School of Medicine watched with a degree of awe typically reserved for an episode of the Food Network’s “Chopped.” After Ciordas demonstrated how to peel, chop, or grate the raw ingredients, the future physicians donned aprons…
Read MoreCaregivers in KC: Asen’s Story
Born with a disability at birth, and with no one left to help, Asen’s family turns to Lakemary Center in Paola, Kansas. Lakemary provides educational, mental, behavioral health, and social services to children and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities. We follow Asen’s approach in the classroom and interactions with his teachers and coaches, giving him the tools…
Read MoreCaregiving Squeezes Households Between Young and Old
Melissa Johnson knows her life is hardly unique. The Oak Grove, Missouri, woman cares for her infirm 72-year-old mother, who lives in her own home nearby. She calls her mother daily. She brings dinner to her several times a week. Johnson, who coordinates care with her aunt, a team of therapists, and a nurse, is…
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