Assisted Living in Kansas

Kansas is known as one of the best states for senior citizens owing to its affordable cost of living, general quality of life, and access to healthcare facilities and Medicare. Kansas also has several programs and services to accommodate the need of every senior like the Senior Care Act, Home and Community Based Services, Senior Health Insurance Counseling, and Senior Medicare Patrol Act.

Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Kansas

Thorough research is the only way to select the right long-term care facility, whether it is for yourself or for a family member. To help you make an informed choice, the directory below lists information on 181 assisted living facilities across Kansas.

How to Pay for Assisted Living in Kansas

Determining how to finance assisted living often starts with the question, “What’s the cost?” In today’s economy, where inflation plays a significant role, having current data is crucial for senior living financial planning. AssistedLiving.org has gathered cost information from its expansive network of over 75,000 senior living providers. This data offers a glimpse into the average expenses for assisted living in Kansas and 19 additional cities within Kansas.

How Inflation Has Impacted the Cost of Assisted Living in Kansas

The financial picture for senior living has changed dramatically in response to inflation, with costs up significantly from 2022 to 2023. Kansas was hit particularly hard with a 19% increase, compared to only 5.5% in Colorado or 13% in Nebraska. In Oklahoma, costs rose by 19.5% to $3,789, but costs remain lower than Kansas at $4,459. Missouri saw price deflation, dropping from $4,488 to $4,217, while nationally inflation was 10%.

These trends are expected to continue —though substantially more slowly — in 2024, with Kansas assisted living projected at $5,149 and Missouri is expected to reach $4,318.

Assisted Living Costs in Kansas's Top Cities

Location plays an important role in cost, with cities showing remarkable price variation. Wichita, the most populous and most expensive option for assisted living, averages $5,427 per month. Overland Park, the second most populous city, is also the most affordable for senior living at $4,333. Topeka is also on the high end at $5,028, while Kansas City is economical at $4,543. Researching location costs is an important part of finding the best long-term care option.

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Living

The type and scope of care also impacts price. Assisted living is a mid-range option at $4,834, offering an independent lifestyle with help available. Memory care, a specialized type of assisted living with services tailored toward seniors with dementia, is at the top of the range at $5,587 per month. Independent living offers community amenities and a totally independent lifestyle for $2,586. When making a final selection, carefully consider the level of assistance needed.

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Kansas

Frail Elderly Waiver

KanCare is the Medicaid program in Kansas managed by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The program offers financial assistance to low-income senior residents who require nursing home level care, but it doesn’t directly cover the cost of assisted living.

KanCare has a Home & Community Based Services Program called the Frail Elderly Waiver, which is specifically for individuals who need care services at their homes or community instead of a nursing home. The Frail Elderly Waiver enables the elderly to live in adult foster care homes or assisted living facilities, and afford attendant care services.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants for the Kansas HCBS Frail Elderly Waiver must meet KanCare’s eligibility criteria. Participants should:

• Be 65 years or older
• Be financially eligible for Medicaid
• Be examined by a qualified case manager for the level of long-term care needed
• Require assistance with at least 2-3 daily living activities like bathing, transferring, eating, and dressing, and 3 instrumental activities like cleaning, shopping, and moving in the community

Applicants eligible for the Frail Elderly Waiver should have countable assets that do not exceed $2,000 exempting home, vehicle, and personal belongings. The home is exempted only if the applicant or the spouse lives in the home. The value of the home equity should not be more than $572,000. The countable income of applicants should not exceed $2,250 per month. Applicants with a monthly income of more than $747 will have to pay for some care services.

How to Apply

Eligible individuals can apply for the Frail Elderly Waiver program by contacting the local Aging & Disability Resource Center or calling (855)-200-2372. Individuals who are not currently members of KanCare should apply for KanCare coverage online to be eligible for the waiver.

More Ways to Finance Assisted Living

Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:

• Veterans Benefits: Veterans can take advantage of several different pension programs to help cover the cost of assisted living. For more information, see the article on benefits.va.gov.

• Life Insurance Policies: Even if a spouse or loved one hasn’t died, certain types of life insurance policies can be used to pay for assisted living. More information is available at longtermcare.acl.gov.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-term care insurance is a type of insurance policy that pays for long-term care when it becomes necessary, including the cost of assisted living. For more information on the benefits and drawbacks of this financing method, visit longtermcare.acl.gov.

• Reverse Mortgages: Reverse mortgages allow seniors to access the equity from a home that they own, and these funds can be used to pay for assisted living. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development offers a federally insured reverse mortgage program.

Free and Low-Cost Resources for Seniors in Kansas

There are many resources in Kansas that assist seniors in their retirement. Assistedliving.org has compiled information on local organizations, programs and agencies and categorized them into care types for easy reference.

Area Agency on Aging

Retirees can find support and advice on various senior-related issues from their local Area Agency on Aging. The agency provides advice on topics such as financial assistance programs, in-home care and long-term care planning. It also connects seniors and caregivers with community-based resources.

Cash Assistance Programs

Cash assistance programs in Kansas provide financial support to help low-income retirees remain in their own homes for as long as possible. Seniors and caregivers can apply for tax rebates and reductions, discounts on vital services and help covering the cost of heating and cooling their home.

Financial Assistance for Senior Care and Senior Living

Whether living in their own home or in a senior living community, Kansas seniors can find financial assistance from numerous local resources. These organizations help residents cover some of the costs associated with in-home or long-term care and connect them with other helpful community-based resources.

Food Assistance Programs

Local organizations help ensure elderly citizens have a balanced diet and receive essential vitamins and minerals to remain healthy. Through nutrition programs, congregate meals, home-delivered meals and food pantries, these programs help Kansas seniors afford the nutritious food they need.

Free Used Medical Equipment

Due to the high cost of purchasing new medical equipment, several organizations in Kansas collect lightly used medical devices such as wheelchairs, ramps and walkers and distribute them to local seniors and residents in need.

Health Insurance & Prescription Drug Coverage for Seniors

Kansas seniors who meet certain income criteria can apply to local resources to help them pay for prescription drugs. Eligible residents can also receive assistance through health insurance and other programs to access free or discounted medical services.

Home Repair and Modifications

Seniors and those with disabilities can access a variety of local resources to help them pay for home repairs and modifications. Programs in Kansas have different eligibility criteria and often assist retirees by providing grants or loans.

Legal Resources

Many organizations offer free or low-cost legal services to Kansas seniors. Older adults can access advice on issues such as estate planning, living wills and power of attorney. Some firms also act as long-term care ombudsmen, advocating for the rights of seniors in senior living communities.

Senior Centers

Senior centers in Kansas bring together residents through recreational activities and events. Many also offer advice and support on senior issues, run wellness and nutrition programs, and connect older adults with other resources in the local area.

Social Security Offices

Social Security offices in Kansas help seniors and disabled people access the benefits they’re entitled to. Older adults can contact their local office for information about receiving retirement benefits, disability allowance and Supplemental Security Income.

Tax Assistance

Seniors can apply for tax assistance from several Kansas resources. Elderly residents and those with disabilities could be eligible for tax exemptions on medical expenses, reductions on property tax and other tax assistance programs.

Utility & Energy Bill Assistance

Low-income seniors who are struggling to meet the costs of maintaining their homes can find support from organizations that offer assistance with utility and energy bills. Kansas retirees could also qualify for emergency funding programs if they’re in danger of losing utility services due to unpaid invoices.

Veteran’s Services

Kansas retirees who have served in the U.S. military can find support from local veteran services. These offices and organizations help vets access the benefits they’re eligible for and provide advice and information on a variety of issues.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Kansas

Assisted Living Service/Care Plans

The administrator of the assisted living facility or a licensed nurse is required to conduct a screening and an assessment of the applicants before admission. The assessment will determine each resident’s functional capacity and the health care services needed. Based on the assessment, the assisted living facility will partner with the resident, the family, or the legal representative to draw a service plan that will be reviewed at least once every year or quarterly if the resident receives assistance with eating from a nutritionist.

Assisted Living Admission Requirements

An assisted living facility cannot admit residents who:

• Have any ongoing condition that requires the assistance of two or more people
• Cannot or will not participate in managing the problem
• Need skilled nursing supervision 24 hours a day
• Are immobile and completely dependent to exit the facility
• Have behavioral symptoms that exceed the facility’s care and service

Assisted Living Scope of Care

Assisted living facilities in Kansas are required to provide a range of care and services that are specified in the resident’s service plans at the time of admission. The services usually include daily meals, health care services, housekeeping services, transportation, group and individual activities, and other health and safety support.

Assisted Living Medicaid Policy

Medicaid is a healthcare partnership between the federal and the state government for low-income residents. In Kansas, Medicaid is called as KanCare which covers nursing home care, but it doesn’t finance assisted living directly. Instead, it offers waivers like the Frail and Elderly Waiver to cover costs of adult day cares, assisted living, and attendant care services. There is currently no waiting list reported for KanCare’s elderly waiver program.

Assisted Living Facility Requirements

According to the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services, each assisted living facility apartment must have:

• A sleeping area with a window that opens for ventilation as described in the uniform building code
• A storage area with a shelf, hanging rods, and doors
• A kitchen area with a sink, a refrigerator, a microwave or a stove, and storage space for supplies and utensils
• A bathroom with a toilet and a bathtub or shower with disability access
• An entrance door with one locking door handle which is master-keyed from the corridor and releases with the inside door handle
• At least 200 square feet of living space excluding the bathroom, closets, and other built-in fixed items
• At least 80 square feet of living space for each resident sharing a room

An assisted living facility should have:

• Common areas which can be accessed from the general corridor
• Entrances at the ground level accessible to disabled individuals.
• Public restrooms on each floor accessible to disabled individuals, staff, and visitors
• Dining rooms which can seat all residents
• An outdoor smoking area and ensure the indoor environment is smoke-free.
• A locked storage space with a sink and a refrigerator for medications and medical supplies, and a separate compartment for controlled drugs
• A locked janitor closet
• A storage space for clean linen and soiled linen in a manner to prevent odor and diseases

Medication Management Regulations

The KDADS has a list of statues and regulations regarding administering and managing medication at an assisted living facility.

• Residents of assisted living facilities are allowed to self-administer medication only if they are assessed to be able to do so and if the medication is pre-filled by a licensed nurse or pharmacist.
• Administration of medication by the assisted living facility must be approved by the resident’s medical care provider in writing.
• The resident must be identified before administering medication and a record of the time, dosage, and name of the medicine must be maintained.
• A medical aide can order and pick up medicines from a pharmacy chosen by the resident.
• Medicines should be labeled with the name of the resident, medical provider, and medication, dosage, and strength.
• Every assisted living facility is required to maintain a detailed record of all medication stored, administered, and discarded at the facility.
• A clinical record of the resident should be maintained with details of the medical provider, pharmacy, medication, allergies, dosage, and schedule of administration.
• The assisted living facility requires a licensed pharmacist to conduct a quarterly review of the medications managed by the facility and inform the medical provider of any changes.

Staffing Requirements

The Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services has made it mandatory to appoint a licensed and trained administrator or operator to oversee every function of the assisted living facility. The administrator should:

• Be 21 years or older
• Have a high school diploma
• Have a Kansas license as an adult care home administrator or have completed an operator training course approved by the Kansas Department of Health & Environment

The administrator of an assisted living facility is responsible to provide sufficient staff to ensure each resident receives proper care and assistance, especially in emergency situations. The administrator is also responsible to maintain records of each resident according to the standards set by the state, coordinate with the ombudsman, and facilitate a quarterly resident council.

Staff Training Requirements

The administrator is tasked to provide regular in-service training for all employees of the assisted living facility. Written policies and procedures must be available to the staff at all times. The staff should receive in-service education in:

• Principles of assisted living
• Resident rights
• Disaster management
• Prevention of abuse and neglect of residents
• Accident prevention

Background Checks for Assisted Living

The KDADS has a list of documentation required as a part of background check of each employee of an assisted living facility. Every employee record must have:

• A license, a registration, or a training program certificate if the employee is performing a specialized job
• A record of a criminal background check
• Documentations of any previous cases of abuse or neglect from the Kansas nurse aide registry and every other state where the employee has worked as a nurse aide

Requirements for Reporting Abuse

Abuse, neglect, or exploitation of the elderly at any long-term care facility including assisted living is a serious offense. The Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment should be informed if a resident is suspected to be a victim of any form of abuse, is in a condition because of abuse or neglect, or needs protective services. The complaints can be reported by calling the KDADS elder abuse hotline at 1-800-842-0078.

Any practice at an assisted living facility that is suspected to be a violation of the statutes or regulations should be reported to the Ombudsman office or the Adult Protective Services at 785-296-4653.

Kansas COVID-19 Rules for Assisted Living Facilities

Note: The following information was compiled and most recently updated on 2/8/22. Since COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving crisis, be sure to contact your assisted living facility or local Area Agency on Aging for the most up-to-date information.

Sources: kdads.ks.gov www.cdc.gov