In 2006, I moved my grandmother from Fort Worth, Texas to Hays, Kansas so that I could care for her more directly. In Texas, she was under a health management organization (HMO). Without getting into the specifics, it was a terrible system.

I was so thrilled to move my grandmother to Kansas where she would be on traditional Medicare A and B plans, but I had to enroll her in Medicare D and obtain a supplemental insurance policy for her as well.

At the point of the move, my grandmother was 92-years-old. Little did I know that she would be with me for another four years, but that is another story.

At 92 years of age, my grandmother was hard of hearing and her eyesight was very poor. When she would try to write out a check, it was hard to figure out what she had written, and typically she used the wrong line on the check. That is when I started taking care of her affairs.

She had asked that I make arrangements to get her enrolled in the Medicare programs. Medicare D was new. It was the first time that I had to enroll for anyone. I got on the phone with someone from Medicare.gov. Being a lawyer, of course I waited until the last minute (December 31). I spent the next almost two hours on the phone going through my grandmother’s medications and what would be the best plan for her. I cannot imagine that my grandmother could have ever done that. I pushed multiple buttons and had to make more option choices along the way. It simply would have been way too complicated for her.

I wish I could relate to you that life has been streamlined for seniors. It has not. I suppose that is why I do what I do.

At the time I am writing this article, I just read an editorial piece. As you may or may not be aware, a few years ago Kansas adopted something called KanCare. KanCare basically turned over management of Medicaid to a private agency. The company is called Maximus. Local Medicaid offices were closed and they were centralized in Topeka.

Guess what the result has been? Not only is service more frustrating, and time-consuming, there are fewer people on going on Medicaid. According to the article in the Kansas City Star, the number of seniors that KanCare covers for in-home nursing home health has actually declined. So has the number of Kansans covered for nursing home beds.

According to the Johnson County Area Agency on Aging, seniors are getting frustrated, as are the poor or declining in health, becoming defeated by the process and just giving up. (“Kansas City Star”, February 26, 2018, page 6A).

I remember years ago there was a law passed called the Deficit Reduction Act. It changed a lot of laws dealing with Medicaid. Part of the “savings” was a line item built in for the number of people who would just give up or die before they could get qualified. What a way to save money.

If I sound frustrated, it is because I am. The system needs to be fixed.

At the very least, I would urge that the local offices be reopened so that the poor and infirmed can deal directly with a person, and not deal with a computer or a telephone operating system.

Let me go back to my grandmother for a moment. I spent almost two hours on the phone with somebody from Medicare.gov. The woman, on New Years’ Eve, was incredibly helpful. She did help my grandmother get on a good plan, and I am still grateful for her guidance.

I know navigating the system can be complicated. Do not be afraid to seek help. You will be glad you did.

Randy Clinkscales of Clinkscales Elder Law Practice, PA, Hays, Kansas, is an elder care attorney, practicing in western Kansas. To contact him, please send an email to [email protected]. Disclaimer: The information in the column is for general information purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Each case is different and outcomes depend on the fact of each case and the then applicable law. For specific questions, you should contact a qualified attorney.

Getting into exercise isn’t always easy with today’s hectic lifestyles, but Walk Kansas from K-State Research and Extension could provide a solution.

Walk Kansas, which runs from March 18 to May 12 this year, is not a competition- there are no winners or losers. The goals is for all participants to be successful in adding or increasing exercise with a team format. Teams consist of six members with one serving as captain. Teams can select one of three fitness challenges to accumulate 150 minutes of exercise per week or more.

This year for the first time, participants will learn about the 8 Wonders of Kansas for the basic challenge as they log the minutes they’ve walked each week.

The 8 Wonders include such places as the Kansas Cosmosphere, Monument Rock and Castle Rock, and the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve and the Flint Hills. These places were identified through a contest series organized by the Kansas Sampler Foundation to inspire awareness of the beauty and value in Kansas, and to encourage travel.

Walk Kansas participants don’t actually walk to those places, but as they log the exercise minutes they’ve walked in their own neighborhoods, they learn about those iconic sites around Kansas.

“The program is for all fitness levels,” said Sharolyn Jackson, Walk Kansas program coordinator. “Whether you never walk around the block or your idea of a great afternoon is a three-mile hike, this program helps you work toward or maintain a healthy lifestyle. Plus, it can connect you with friends, colleagues at work, or family members as you log miles together as part of a six-person team.”

Walk Kansas is supported by many K-State Research and Extension offices around the state. The cost for participants is $8 with an optional Walk Kansas t-shirt available at an extra charge. Team are encouraged to get registered by March 15th.

Since the launch of Walk Kansas in 2001, thousands of Kansans have walked millions of miles at almost no cost, but the benefits are huge, Jackson said, adding that study after study has shown that walking and other forms of moderate exercise can cut rates of heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease by at least 40 percent. After eight weeks, many participants say they sleep better and have more energy, endurance, muscle strength, and flexibility.

And it’s not just about walking. Through the eight weeks, participants can enjoy local events and receive a weekly e-newsletter with tips on healthy eating, stretching, strength training, mental and physical well-being and recipes. Walk Kansas also counts minutes of other activities such as swimming, bicycling and dancing, for those who prefer other activities to walking. The idea is just to get moving and work together to keep moving.

State of Kansas employees can earn four Health Quest credits for participating in the program. Information on how to claim the credits will be available at the end of the program.

More information is available at www.walkkansas.org or by contacting the offices of the Cottonwood Extension district in Hays at 785-628-9430 or Great Bend at 620-793-1910.

Linda K. Beech is Cottonwood District Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences.