Assisted Living in Kansas

Paying for Assisted Living in Kansas

Generally, the monthly rent at an assisted living community in Kansas 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.

Overview of Kansas Assisted Living

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.

Licensing Kansas Adult Care Homes

In the state of Kansas there are several types of facilities that provide care for adults. Facilities that specifically provide assisted living services for the elderly are called adult care homes. The term adult care home includes facilities such as nursing facilities, adult day care facilities or assisted living facilities. However, facilities that specifically provide assisted living services are classified as assisted living facilities and residential health care facilities.

• Assisted Living Facilities are facilities that care for six or more individuals who are unrelated to the administrator or operator as per Kansas Statutes Annotated (KSA) 39-923(5). These facilities provide apartments, along with services that include personal care or supervised nursing care, to support independence. A resident may receive skilled nursing services if the care is provided on an intermittent or limited term basis or on a regular basis if limited in scope.
• Residential Health Care Facilities are similar to assisted living facilities because they provide personal or supervised nursing care to six or more individuals as per 39-923(6). However, the level of nursing care is higher at these facilities, as their residents can receive supervised nursing care to support the activities of daily living.
• In contrast, a Boarding Care Home can serve up to 10 individuals who need supervision with activities of daily living but are ambulatory and capable of managing their own care and affairs as per 39-923(8).
• A Home Plus facility can care for up to 12 individuals who, because they are unable to carry out activities of daily living, require personal care and may need supervised nursing care. If the staff care for residents with dementia, they are required to take annual dementia care training as per 39-923(7).

The certification and survey of adult care homes is the responsibility of the Survey, Certification & Credentialing Commission within the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services. 

Licensing Kansas Adult Care Homes

In the state of Kansas there are several types of facilities that provide care for adults. Facilities that specifically provide assisted living services for the elderly are called adult care homes. The term adult care home includes facilities such as nursing facilities, adult day care facilities or assisted living facilities. However, facilities that specifically provide assisted living services are classified as assisted living facilities and residential health care facilities.

• Assisted Living Facilities are facilities that care for six or more individuals who are unrelated to the administrator or operator as per Kansas Statutes Annotated (KSA) 39-923(5). These facilities provide apartments, along with services that include personal care or supervised nursing care, to support independence. A resident may receive skilled nursing services if the care is provided on an intermittent or limited term basis or on a regular basis if limited in scope.
• Residential Health Care Facilities are similar to assisted living facilities because they provide personal or supervised nursing care to six or more individuals as per 39-923(6). However, the level of nursing care is higher at these facilities, as their residents can receive supervised nursing care to support the activities of daily living.
• In contrast, a Boarding Care Home can serve up to 10 individuals who need supervision with activities of daily living but are ambulatory and capable of managing their own care and affairs as per 39-923(8).
• A Home Plus facility can care for up to 12 individuals who, because they are unable to carry out activities of daily living, require personal care and may need supervised nursing care. If the staff care for residents with dementia, they are required to take annual dementia care training as per 39-923(7).

The certification and survey of adult care homes is the responsibility of the Survey, Certification & Credentialing Commission within the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services.