No one is immune to elder abuse – it can happen to anyone, at any time, and anywhere. Often a silent problem, elder abuse can rob older adults of their dignity and security and leave them feeling fearful, depressed, and alone.
Sadly, 10 percent of Americans over the age of 60 have experienced some form of elder abuse in the last year, and many researchers expect this number to rise with the growth of the aging population. Yet, it is a topic we are not readily willing to talk about. We “don’t want to think about it,” or we “don’t want to admit that it happens.”
Elder abuse (sometimes referred to as elder mistreatment) is an intentional act, or failure to act, that causes harm to an adult. Abuse can be categorized as physical, emotional or psychological, sexual, neglect, abandonment, or financial exploitation.
A majority of abuse victims are older women who are vulnerable. They may be socially isolated, may have a mental impairment, or other disability. Often the abuse victim is dependent on others for help with activities of everyday life. People who are frail may appear to be easy victims.
The warning signs of abuse can be different for individuals depending on the type, frequency, and magnitude of abuse. Warning signs can include unexplained bruises or welts, withdrawal from normal activities, trouble sleeping, depression or confusion, or weight loss for no reason. Signs of trauma, such as rocking back and forth, poor hygiene, the unexpected absence of a caregiver, or a sudden change in financial situation can be other signs of abuse.
Here are some things to keep in mind to help prevent elder abuse.
If you are a caregiver, ask for help when you need a break. Caregiving for a loved one is very rewarding, but can be challenging, very demanding and stressful.
Remain involved in your loved one’s care at care facilities and at home.
Be attentive to sudden changes in mood, appearance, and health, especially if a decline in mental ability (dementia) is taking place.
Educate your loved ones on what scams and schemes can look and sound like and what to do if they feel uncomfortable in a situation reflecting pressure or scare tactics.
Encourage your loved one to be cautious with their financial affairs. Monitor financial accounts if necessary, and avoid making rash spending decisions.
Encourage your loved one to create financial and health care-related advance planning documents.
If you suspect or see elder abuse, report it immediately.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. For domestic or community abuse, contact Kansas Department for Children and Families Adult Protective Services at 1-800-922-5330. For suspected abuse in a care facility, contact Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services at 1-800-842-0078.
For other resources or questions related to elder abuse, contact the Yates Center Southwind Extension District office at 620-625-8620.
The traditional VFW’s Avenue of Flags placement on East National scheduled for 7 am on Memorial Day has been cancelled due to rain.
The Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony scheduled for 10 am will be held at the Bourbon County Courthouse. The backup plan is to move the Remembrance Ceremony to Memorial Hall in the event of rain.
The Remembrance Ceremony will last about 20 minutes and has been extended to include some portions of the ceremony previously held at the National Cemetery,
Post 25 members will be handing out poppies at G and W from 11 am – 5 pm on Memorial Day. Volunteers still needed for 11 am and 1 pm. Reply to this email if you are able to help your Post.
Persons attending the Remembrance Ceremony should plan on practice social distancing.
Fort Scott American Legion Thompson-Harkey Post 25 will host a Memorial Day Service on the Bourbon County Courthouse grounds at 10 AM, Monday May 25. The ceremony will last about 15 – 20 minutes and takes the place of the memorial service normally held at the Fort Scott National Cemetery.
You are cordially invited to attend this event honoring all of America’s Veterans. It will be an open-air ceremony and in keeping with government guidelines, use current social distancing recommendations of SIX FEET between nonfamily members.
Limited seating will be available for those in attendance with mobility issues.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about the program.
Did you find a rock at the park and don’t know what kind it is? What about fossils? If you would like to learn more about rocks, minerals and fossils, then dive into the geology project! Discover the types of minerals, rocks and fossils that can be found where you live. Learn about geological formations across the state and in other states.
There is 4-H Curriculum that can be purchased for anyone interested in the geology project. Here is a breakdown of what youth can learn at different levels:
Ages 7-8:
Learn how the earth was formed and its three main parts
Learn the difference between a rock and a fossil
Collect, clean, identify and label rocks, minerals and fossils found in Kansas
Learn the types and impacts of erosion
Ages 9-11:
Use different tests to identify minerals by hardness and color
Find out what rock types occur in Kansas
Learn how to identify fossils
Learn to display and evaluate geology exhibits
Ages 12-14:
Learn how mountains are formed
Discover the impact of glaciers
Learn to measure specific gravity
Read and use a topographic map
Ages 15 and Older:
Measure formation thickness
Test to determine chemical properties of minerals
Locate sites on a plat map
How to prepare for geology careers
In addition to the curriculum, youth are also offered the opportunity to attend project meetings held by volunteers. Each year, youth are able to demonstrate their hard work locally at the county fair and depending on age and placing, the Kansas State Fair.
The geology project is a great opportunity for youth to learn important life skills. For more information about this project, contact Jennifer K. Terrell, 4-H Youth Development for K-State Research and Extension – Southwind District at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.
Bourbon County has its seventh case of COVID 19, Rebecca Johnson, SEK Multi-County Health Departments Administrator, said.
The county had seven prior to this, but one was a resident of Woodson County and living in Bourbon. Has since been removed from Bourbon’s count.
The following is a press release from the county health department:
May 20, 2020;
ABourbon County, KS positive COVID-19 test was confirmed this morning, making Bourbon County’s total number of cases 7. The testing was confirmed through a reference laboratory that was used. The individual works in multiple counties in the health care capacity and was tested as a requirement for work. This case is symptomatic. The individual is in isolation in their home. Their household is in quarantine in their home. Co-workers are taking necessary safety precautions. All potential contacts have been notified and the investigation is complete.
The Bourbon County Public Health Department urges the public to continue to take appropriate actions. Individuals should continue to practice social distancing, clean/disinfect any high touched surfaces, wash their hands with soap and water routinely, use hand sanitizer if soap and water is not available and avoid touching your face (especially eyes, nose & mouth).
Please remember if you have the symptoms to:
Call before going to a Clinic, Hospital, ER, or Health Department
Close contact means: 6 foot or less for 10 minutes or more, with a positive case.
If you are experiencing life threatening symptoms, PLEASE CALL 911.
For more information you may call the SEK Multi-County Health Department: Bourbon: (620)223-4464 Monday-Thursday 7:00am-5:30pm OR the COVID-19 Hotline: (866)534-3463.You may also visit the
COVID-19 Resource Center at: https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/OR Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Departments on Facebook for local updates.
Southeast KansasWorks is hosting a drive-through job fair on May 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Pittsburg.
ATTN: Employers Who Are Hiring
Here is how you can submit your
information for the Job Fair!
Please complete the form linked here and get your job opening information to Southeast KANSASWORKS – see contact info. below.
Southeast KANSASWORKS will be hosting a “Drive-Thru Job Fair” from 10am to 2pm on Wednesday, May 27th and we’re inviting you to participate! This particular Drive-Thru Job Fair will be held at the Workforce Center in Pittsburg (address below). The Chamber will be assessing in the near future whether to hold a similar drive-thru format here locally, or an actual Job Fair when feasible to do so.
During the May 27th event, Southeast KANSASWORKS staff will distribute packets filled with information containing job applications and job orders as well as additional information about community resources to job seekers looking for immediate employment. This will be a “no-touch” event meaning that all packets will be assembled by staff who are wearing masks/gloves with one staff member handling the packets during the event as customers remain in their cars.
To have your job openings/applications included in the packets, please fill out the attached form completely and return no later than close of business on Friday, May 22nd. If you have a paper application, return that with the completed form and we will make additional copies to distribute.
We understand this is different from your typical job fair but feel like this could be an excellent opportunity for your business to recruit the employees needed to maintain normal operation, as much as possible, during this time.
Click here for the printed flyer you may hang in your business. As always, make sure to share the event and flyer on your Facebook pages, let your employees know you are hiring and will be participating in the event. KANSASWORKS will hang flyers around the community, share throughout social media platforms, submit a newspaper press release, run PSA’s on the radio and promote the event as much as possible.
Send the completed job form, and a printed application if you have one, to Jolene Ray with Southeast KANSASWORKS:
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Southeast KANSASWORKS Workforce Centers will be providing remote services until further notice. We apologize for the inconvenience. For additional assistance, please visit KANSASWORKS.com to access the chat function or call 620-231-4250 for general questions.
Unemployment Insurance Benefits
If you are not working or working reduced hours due to COVID-19, you may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance benefits. Visit: https://www.getkansasbenefits.gov/ or call (800) 292-6333 to learn more.
Work Experience, Try-out Employment, Work-based Learning, & Classroom Training Participants – If you have questions or concerns please contact:
Regan Rose at 620-687-0462– Adult, Dislocated Worker, & Kansas Health Profession Opportunity Programs
Christine Abbott at 620-779-3727 – Youth Program
Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA)
If you have questions or concerns about your appointment, please contact:
Debbie Cherry at 620-238-8506
Employers
If your business is forced to temporarily lay off employees due to COVID-19, you can assist your employees by filing an application for Unemployment Benefits on their behalf. Visit: www.kansasemployer.gov/uitax/Tax/LayoffSelect.aspx to get started.
If your business needs assistance posting a job order on KANSASWORKS please contact:
Krista Harding District Extension Agent, Horticulture Southwind Extension District 111 S. Butler Erie, KS 66733 Office: 620-244-3826 Cell: 620-496-8786
Trees are a huge asset to the landscape. Did you know that according to research, just three properly placed trees can save between $100 and $250 per year in energy costs? Whether you have just planted new trees or have large majestic trees, they can become the targets of disease, insects and human error that can slow their growth and even kill them. This article will cover several tree troubles to be on the lookout for in the next few weeks.
First, I want to address mulching. Unfortunately, as I drive around our communities, I continue to see what is known as the “mulch volcano.” This is the practice of piling mulch high up the trunk of a tree and sloping it down towards the ground – like the shape of a volcano!
When mulch is applied in this manner, it is very detrimental to the tree. It confuses the tree to thinking that the soil level has changed. This will cause the tree to start growing roots into the mulch and can even start to cause decay in the trunk. Mulch applied too deeply can actually prevent moisture from reaching the soil and suffocate the roots – causing the tree to die.
If you are guilty of the mulch volcano, it can easily be fixed by dragging the mulch away from the trunk and reshaping the pile. Mulch should be kept 3-6 inches away from the trunk and should be spread out away from the tree in each direction at least 3 feet – more if you can. As for mulch thickness, 3 to 4 inches is all that is needed.
The pine trees in our area have taken a beating and it is really showing. Have you noticed how most of the pines are exhibiting an abnormal amount of browning to the needles? The trees have been hit by a double whammy – Dothistroma needle blight and two years of excessive moisture! There isn’t anything we can do about the amount of rainfall, but we can try to tackle the needle blight.
Dothistroma needle blight is a common and serious disease of pines. This needle blight is characterized by the heavy loss of older, inner needles, plus the appearance of small black fruiting structures on needles in the spring. Copper-containing fungicides can be used for control. However, many of the trees in our area may have already been lost.
Finally, bagworm season is nearing. They are a yearly pest in our area and can cause considerable damage. Eastern red cedar and junipers are the most commonly affected species, although bagworms can attack arborvitae, spruce, pine and some broadleaf trees and shrubs. Last year was a bad year!
Bagworm larvae will begin emerging any time now. Hatching does not happen overnight. Instead, hatching can continue for 4 to 5 weeks. When hatched, they will be very small and rather difficult to see. As they consume plant material, the larvae will become larger and larger and so will the new bags.
Many times, homeowners don’t begin worrying about bagworms until they are large and easy to see! At that point, chemical controls are a waste of time and money. Chemical control is most effective when larvae are in their early developmental stages. There are a number of insecticides that are effective against bagworms this time of year.
Trees are an investment! Don’t let disease or insect damage take hold. The Extension office is available to help you with any tree issues you may be facing. For assistance, please contact me at one of our Southwind Extension District office locations.
Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Agricultural agent assigned to Southwind District. She may be reached at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
