Why doesn’t someone build an assisted living center in the downtown loop? All of us don’t need a golf club, but we would support the wonderful downtown library presentations, the art, the symphony, the ballet, the theater, the opera and Union Station.
Living beyond the I-435 loop makes the trip into town daunting. And think of the savings on gas, parking and pollution and the delight of enjoying the restaurants.
Martha Field
Leawood
I enthusiastically agree with Betty Crumpton’s kind words about the Brighton Gardens Assisted Living Facility (1/11, Letters).
My aunt has lived there for five years with devastating Alzheimer’s, and every day we are treated with sincere respect and caring, from Jo’s smiling face at the front desk to Katy, Kelly, Sally and all of the other members of the Brighton Gardens family. Thank you for all of your special daily kindnesses.
We can all be inspired by those who live and work in a world where we find people who can make each day such a positive experience. Keep up the great work, Brighton Gardens.
Cynthia Lyon
Overland Park
From time to time I read about some of the younger generation crying about paying into Social Security. It just gripes their rears they have to pay so we seniors can have a comfortable retirement.
They act like they are giving us something. The fact is we have paid into it all of our working lives, so we are getting nothing we don’t deserve. So just shut up and pay it. If you did get a few dollars extra each week you would just go out and buy a bigger flat-screen TV or a bigger house you had no intention of paying for that would go into foreclosure in a year or two anyway.
We seniors deserve our trips to sunny Arizona.
Richard Clary
Independence
On behalf of the American Stroke Foundation, I’d like to remind all seniors and those with disabilities who take part in the Medicare Part D benefit (prescription drug benefit) that now until Dec. 31 is open enrollment.
Medicare Part D beneficiaries can compare their plan against 48 other plans offered in Kansas and Missouri to make sure they’re getting the best plan that fits their needs. Each year, plans can change, and prescription needs can change as well.
In a national study, more than 80 percent of seniors have indicated they are satisfied with the Medicare Part D benefit. If you are satisfied with you plan, you won’t have to do anything to stay enrolled for next year. If you’d like to look around at other plans, please call 1-800-MEDICARE or go to www.medicare.gov
Patrick Ayers
President and CEO, American Stroke Foundation
Mission
The American people are being represented by a large group of “smart” politicians, bankers, economists and strategists who believe that throwing “our” money at a failing economy will fix the problem.
These “experts” have given billions to the financial industry, but as yet it hasn’t helped the housing foreclosures any. Now the Treasury Department wants to make home loans to new buyers at 4.5 percent interest rates. Who is going to pay for this new effort to stimulate the economy? Everyone who has savings accounts, money markets, CDs and other retirement income — mostly retired people. They will have less income to spend with lower interest income, thus subsidizing new homebuyers.
Remember what Joe the Plumber said? He was right all the time.
Paul Clum
Lone Jack
Congratulations and thanks to all the candidates who spoke slowly and distinctly during their campaigns so that senior citizens like me could easily understand their words without straining.
My point is that so many people speaking on the radio or television are in a race to see who can say the most words per minute. This trend is being picked up and practiced more and more widely, especially among the younger set.
Please slow down your words per minute so we can better grasp what you are saying. Either you are speaking too fast, or I am listening too slowly. This is not only my opinion. Others are noticing it, too.
Not too long ago, advertisers began employing fast talkers to do their commercials. Since their cost is based on air time, more words per minute make sense. With my slower-listening problem, I sort of liked those commercials, because they are quick, and since they are said too fast for me to understand the words I’m spared from listening to them.
How about you?
Vince Fellner
Belton
Not only is Alferd Williams of St. Joseph discovering a wide-open world by learning to read at the age of 70 (5/3, A-1, “He just wanted to learn — now he’s an unlikely hero”), so have almost 4,000 other adults who have been students at Literacy Kansas City since 1985.
Last week we welcomed 34 potential adult students through our doors as they took the first step by admitting they need to learn this basic skill.
Now the task is for us to find 34 new volunteers to be tutors in our one-to-one program that requires a great commitment of time and energy but also offers tremendous rewards to both student and teacher.
Learning to read is not easy. Just ask Mr. Williams. But it makes living so much easier. It offers an opportunity for independence by passing a written driver’s test. It allows for one’s voice to be heard in the election booth. It results in a more valuable employee. And it helps one find the green beans in the grocery aisle.
If you want to be a volunteer tutor, or know someone who needs to improve their reading or math skills, call Literacy Kansas City at 816-333-9332.
Cliff Schiappa
Interim executive director, Literacy Kansas City
Kansas City
Your article “Survey shows cost of nursing homes" (4/30, Business)http://www.kansascity.com/business/story/598052.html raises an issue our country must consider: How can we ensure that all individuals can receive the care they need at a price they can afford?
Millions struggle with the financial responsibility of caregiving for someone we love. Despite individuals’ efforts and substantial public expenditures, many are left with unmet needs and catastrophic costs. With the aging baby boomers, the demand on Medicaid will stretch beyond its ability to pay, leaving many without necessary care.
Our country needs a national insurance trust, whose premiums provide cash benefits to pay for long-term care. All adults who need assistance would receive cash benefits to pay for services such as hiring an aide or paying a family member who misses work to help. Benefits would be received regardless of ability to pay premiums. All adults with means would contribute premiums, pre-funding care for the baby boomers. We must make care affordable.
Denise Clemonds
CEO, Missouri Association of Homes for the Aging
Jefferson City
Regarding the recent story about the new EEOC regulation that allows employers to reduce or eliminate retiree health benefits: What do they think we worked all those years for?
We stayed with those companies 35 and 40 years for the salary and the health benefits we were promised in our retirement. We didn’t want to rely on the government for our health care because we know how that works.
I don’t see the politicians reducing or eliminating their health care.
This is more money to pay some CEO a few more million or put a few more dollars in some politician’s pocket.
Then they wonder why people want change and don’t trust our elected officials any more.
My 80-year-old mother lives on less than $1,300 a month. She got a $38 increase in her Social Security, but with her increase in her supplemental insurances and other pre-pay she’s more than $100 in the hole. I agree with a previous letter writer: The winners are big business, the rich and I’m adding the politicians.
Linda Schill
Paola, Kan.
Here’s a heads up to Embarq and other corporations who plan to “dis” their retired seniors by completely eliminating health care (12/29, Business, “Embarq sued by retirees; Loss of health benefits is cited by 10 plaintiffs who hope to add thousands of others to the case”). Please know that the rest of the senior community is watching your actions, and what we find offensive, we don’t buy. We know health care is expensive, so how about some mediation, some give and take?
Blanche Williams
Overland Park
