Assisted Living in Kansas
Known as the Sunflower State, Kansas was home to such notable figures as President Dwight D. Eisenhower and famous female aviator Amelia Earhart. The famously historic Santa Fe and Oregon trails ran through Kansas, acting as thoroughfare into the great American cattle towns.
Kansas is a remarkable place to call home, and offers residents an eclectic diversity of scenery. With six national parks, an abundance of farms, ranches, wineries and rich culinary delights, seniors who choose assisted living in Kansas will enjoy a comfortable and exuberant lifestyle.
Assisted Living in Kansas Defined
Kansas assisted living communities are state licensed and regulated facilities that offer 24-hour, on-site services and security for six or more people unrelated to the facility’s administrator. Staff at assisted living facilities generally provide professional assistance with:
- Bathing
- Grooming
- Toileting
- Showering
- Eating
- Cleaning
- Cooking
Because 24-hour nursing care is not a requirement for facilities of assisted living and other residential care facilities in Kansas, seniors in need of 24-hour nursing services should consider skilled nursing facilities, also known as nursing homes.
Cost of Assisted Living in Kansas
The monthly fee for assisted living in Kansas ranges between $1,600 to $3,000, with the average facility costing around $2,400 per month. Generally, the monthly rent that covers:
- Lodging
- Meals
- Transportation
- Housekeeping
- Enrichment activities
Communities may charge more for medication administration and other services as stated in a resident’s written negotiated service agreement.
Seniors who require financial assistance may apply for a Medicaid Home and Community Based Services Waiver through KDOA. Applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is another option for seniors 65 years of age and older who fit within income and resources guidelines. Using personal financial resources is the most common way to pay for assisted living in Kansas.
Here is a list of the average monthly rates* broken down by city for a one-bedroom, single-occupancy apartment in a Kansas assisted living facility:
| City | Minimum Cost | Maximum Cost |
| Lawrence | $4,008 | $5,700 |
| Manhattan | $3,675 | $4,822 |
| Topeka | $2,600 | $6,000 |
| Wichita | $2,500 | $6,000 |
| Rest of State | $2,250 | $3,750 |
*Genworth Financial 2011 Cost of Care Survey.
Regulation of Assisted Living in Kansas
Assisted living facilities are monitored and regulated by the Kansas Department of Aging (KDOA). Under KDOA regulation, any caregiver who wishes to work in a facility of assisted living in Kansas must complete 40 hours of training in basic residential care skills.
The initial course will cover:
- The principles of assisted living
- Prevention of neglect, abuse and exploitation of residents
- Disaster procedures
- Infection control
- Resident rights
- Safety and fire prevention
Following the training, and after 90 days of employment at a licensed assisted living facility, caregivers must complete an approved residential care and treatment examination.
Caregivers who will be providing nutrition assistance must complete an additional eight hours of training. Those who will be administering medication must complete 75 total hours of training with a minimum of 25 hours of clinical instruction followed by a state medication aide test. All employees working in communities of assisted living in Kansas are subject to a criminal background check.
Facilities of assisted living in Kansas are inspected every 12 to 15 months or more depending on whether not they’ve received complaints or poor inspection results. Results of these inspections are often posted at the assisted living facility, and may be found online at the Kansas Health Care Association and KDOA websites.
Find Assisted Living in Kansas
Browse our directory to find assisted living communities in Abilene, Lawrence, Overland Park, Salina and other parts of Kansas.
Written by senior housing writer Chrysti Harrison.
