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Assisted Living in Kansas

Overview of Assisted Living in Kansas

In Kansas, assisted living offers supportive living for seniors who prefer a community setting. Assisted living in Kansas also provides services for seniors who require assistance with activities of daily living. The median cost of assisted living is approximately $5,100 per month or $61,200 each year, according to A Place for Mom’s internal data on what families pay our partner communities. In most cases, assisted living is a more affordable living option than memory care or nursing homes and actually offers care, unlike independent living or senior apartments. [01]

From the brilliant fields of sunflowers that inspired the state’s nickname to the understated cultural hub of Kansas City, Kansas offers many opportunities for seniors to live an active lifestyle.

Cost of assisted living in Kansas

The median costs associated with assisted living in Kansas range between approximately $3,400 and $7,500 per month, slightly higher than the national median according to A Place for Mom’s internal data. This range generally reflects what referred families actually paid at our partnering Kansas assisted living facilities.[01]

There are several factors that affect the cost of a community, including location, services and amenities offered, and a residents care needs. Communities located in areas with a high cost of living tend to be more expensive. Luxury amenities such as private rooms, gourmet dining, and communities with opulent décor and finishes often result in higher prices. Additionally, specialized services and programming such as customized meal plans, physical therapy, or on-site educational classes can also elevate monthly costs.

Families typically pay out of pocket for assisted living room and board fees. However, it’s possible to offset some care service and medical costs using Medicare, Medicaid, private health insurance, or veteran’s benefits.

Compare costs of Kansas vs. the national average

Average monthly costs

Kansas

$4,956/mo

US National average

$4,515/mo

Compare costs of assisted living vs. nearby states

Average monthly costs

Kansas

$4,956/mo

Nebraska

$4,127/mo

Oklahoma

$4,303/mo

Missouri

$3,798/mo

Iowa

$4,353/mo

Compare costs of assisted living in Kansas vs. nearby cities

Average monthly costs

Kansas

$4,956/mo

Wichita, KS

$5,058/mo

Olathe, KS

$5,165/mo

Compare costs of assisted living vs. other senior care types in Kansas

Average monthly costs

Paying for assisted living in Kansas

Families who plan in advance have several options for funding assisted living. It’s typical for families to blend various payment sources, including public assistance, long-term care insurance, and private pay. Common methods and resources that seniors in Kansas utilize to cover the costs of assisted living are outlined in the following tabs. For more insights and suggestions, check out our complete guide to paying for long-term care.

Private pay is what we typically call the use of personal funds to pay for assisted living costs. Personal funds may include money from a savings account, pension, investments, or retirement accounts. Most families combine two or more types to pay for assisted living. The seniors and families we refer to assisted living most commonly use the options below to help pay for care.

In Kansas, selling a house can help fund many costs related to assisted living, such as the move to a new community or the cost of the community itself.

A reverse mortgage is a loan borrowed against a home’s equity. It may be an option for many Kansas seniors to help them pay for long-term care in an assisted living community.

Using the funds from a health savings account (HSA) can help seniors in Kansas pay for many assisted living expenses.

While life insurance policies differ, some providers offer a “long-term care rider” option that allows policy holders in Kansas to use benefits to pay for care expenses, including at assisted living communities.

In Kansas, long-term care insurance can cover a wide range of services, including help with daily activities, home health care, nursing home care, or care in an assisted living community. Policies vary, so it’s important to understand what your loved one’s provider covers.

Social Security benefits for assisted living may be available to individuals residing in a Medicaid-approved assisted living facility through the Kansas State Supplement Payment program.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may provide pension or disability benefits for eligible senior veterans and their surviving spouses to help them pay for assisted living. These benefits can provide monthly income to help pay for room and board at an assisted living community, in addition to long-term care services.

The process to determine eligibility and to apply for benefits is complicated and time consuming. However, benefits counseling is offered through veterans service organizations (VSOs). Veterans are encouraged to utilize these services by connecting with an experienced veteran service officer at their local chapter of VSOs like the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFWs) and American Legion. They can advise and advocate for veterans or spouses who are trying to access VA benefits.

Consider reaching out to these VA offices in Kansas:

For assistance and advocacy while applying for benefits, consider the following VSOs across Georgia:

KanCare is Kansas’ Medicaid program and while it doesn’t pay for room and board in an assisted living community, it does cover some personal care and medically necessary services. KanCare is administered by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS).

Medicaid is health insurance co-funded by the state and federal governments, designed for low-income individuals and families. Individual states create their own programs within federal guidelines, determining the scope of services offered and who is eligible.

There’s one home and community based services (HCBS) waiver program operating under KanCare for elderly adults, intended to support the needs of specific groups of individuals. Depending on their financial status and care requirements, certain seniors may qualify for the Frail Elderly (FE) waiver in Kansas.

The Frail Elderly (FE) waiver provides a way for Kansas residents over 65 to pay for a variety of services, including personal care, household tasks, and health services. The program doesn’t cover room and board expenses at an assisted living facility, but it does cover services in a senior’s residence to help them remain in their community.[02]

Medicare is federal health insurance for people 65 or older. Medicare doesn’t cover the cost of room and board for assisted living communities in Kansas. However, it can be used to cover medically necessary services in an assisted living community, as determined by a doctor.

Kansas offers three Medicare Savings Plan (MSP) programs that help qualified seniors pay their Medicare Parts A and B premiums. Certain seniors may also be eligible for help paying for their Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.[03] Free Medicare counseling services are offered by trained counselors through the Senior Health Insurance Counseling For Kansas (SHICK) program.

Extra Help is a program operated by the Social Security Administration designed to help Medicare beneficiaries with the costs, deductibles, co-insurance and co-pays associated with their Medicare Part D drug insurance.

Kansas long-term care ombudsmen advocate for the rights of residents who live in long-term care settings such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home plus facilities.  Paid and volunteer staff work with residents, their families, providers and other agencies to resolve problems and concerns.

Top-rated Assisted Living facilities in Kansas

29
29 Photos available

Legend of Hutchinson

2416 Brentwood St, Hutchinson, KS 67502
9.9
Review Score
60 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Deborah - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

What we like the most about Legend of Hutchinson is the staff. The staff is very insured to the residents and we would recommend this community to other families based on the experience we have had so far.

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11
11 Photos available
3
3 Floor plans available

Shawnee Hills Senior Living

6335 Maurer Road, Shawnee, KS 66217
9.7
Review Score
84 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Traci H - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

My father has lived at Shawnee Hills for about two months and it has been an overall positive experience. The facility is clean, bright and there are lots of activities for residents to participate in. The...

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Top-rated Assisted Living facilities in Shawnee

See top facilities
11
11 Photos available
3
3 Floor plans available

Shawnee Hills Senior Living

6335 Maurer Road, Shawnee, KS 66217
9.7
Review Score
84 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Traci H - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

My father has lived at Shawnee Hills for about two months and it has been an overall positive experience. The facility is clean, bright and there are lots of activities for residents to participate in. The...

Get Pricing
10
10 Photos available
3
3 Floor plans available

Brookdale Shawnee

11400 West 65th Street, Shawnee, KS 66203
9.2
Review Score
42 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

It is one of the better atmospheres, but it doesn't seem to matter to the residents. If they are sad and missing their family, atmosphere just doesn't matter to them. It's a place I would enjoy living in,...

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8
8 Photos available
3
3 Floor plans available

Brookdale Rosehill

12802 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS 66216
8.8
Review Score
27 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Nancy O - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

1-It was very nicely kept up. I work for retirement community so I was looking for a nice place that compare to where I work. 2- My sister and toured several places and this was clean I work in...

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Top-rated Assisted Living facilities in Lenexa

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11
11 Photos available
3
3 Floor plans available

Shawnee Hills Senior Living

6335 Maurer Road, Shawnee, KS 66217
9.7
Review Score
84 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Traci H - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

My father has lived at Shawnee Hills for about two months and it has been an overall positive experience. The facility is clean, bright and there are lots of activities for residents to participate in. The...

Get Pricing
17
17 Photos available
3
3 Floor plans available

Sunrise of Lenexa

15055 West 87th Street Parkway, Lenexa, KS 66215
9.1
Review Score
77 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
CS - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

We picked this community because of the location and support. They were a complete 180 degrees better than Park Meadows. Billing was accurate and met requirements of our insurance. Staff was very proactive...

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13
13 Photos available
4
4 Floor plans available

Benton House of Lenexa

22000 Prairie Star Pkwy, Lenexa, KS 66220
8.9
Review Score
10 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

The staff is all wonderful and have been great as I live out of state. Always receptive and helpful when I call. Food seems to be an issue according to my mom in regards to variety. Yet, trying to please all...

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Top-rated Assisted Living facilities in Overland Park

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6
6 Photos available

Stratford Commons Memory Care Community

12340 Quivira Road, Overland Park, KS 66213
9.6
Review Score
39 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

When our loved one got to life end, everyone was very nice and were kind and helped us through that difficult time. The staff were so nice to him.

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17
17 Photos available
4
4 Floor plans available

Sunrise of Overland Park

12500 West 135th Street, Overland Park, KS 66221
9.0
Review Score
58 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

My mother really enjoyed living there. The rooms are big and lovely. The nursing staff and kitchen staff were very friendly and caring.

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Top-rated Assisted Living facilities in Olathe

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20
20 Photos available
2
2 Floor plans available

Anthology of Olathe

101 W 151st St, Olathe, KS 66061
9.6
Review Score
53 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Gary U - I'm a current/former resident or client

I have been living in this assisted living since year 2018. The care staff helps me with clothing, showering, toileting, and bedding. The staffs are very polite, kind, and speedy. I like that the management...

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1
1 Photos available

The Crestone

21810 W 119th St, Olathe, KS 66061
8.2
Review Score
3 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Know the layout. If a former hotel layout isn't your vibe, request to have those removed from your search queue. Verify wifi, A/C, bathroom fans, ice maker, oven vent/fan/light works in your place before you...

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1
1 Photos available

The Crestone

21810 W 119th St, Olathe, KS 66061
8.2
Review Score
3 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Know the layout. If a former hotel layout isn't your vibe, request to have those removed from your search queue. Verify wifi, A/C, bathroom fans, ice maker, oven vent/fan/light works in your place before you...

Get Pricing

Assisted living requirements and regulations in Kansas

All assisted living communities in Kansas are required to be licensed to keep communities accountable and ensure the safety and care of residents. The Department of Aging and Disability Services regulates assisted living communities, and a branch of the department called the Survey Certification and Credentialing Commission is responsible for performing inspections of facilities and licensing. The Commission conducts annual inspections and responds to complaints by conducting investigations as necessary.

Assisted living communities are required to provide the following information, services, and care to their residents:[04]

  • Statements disclosing care responsibilities and daily or monthly charges
  • Functional capacity screening on or before admission conducted by a licensed nurse, social worker, or administrator
  • Assistance with activities of daily living
  • Medication management or optional self-administration
  • 200 square foot apartment with accessible bathroom
  • 24-hour staffing

Current license status and inspection reports can be found using the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services’ Facilities Directory. Below are a few tips for navigating the site when looking up licensing and inspection information:

  • Facilities are arranged alphabetically and can be searched by clicking the circle marked “Assisted Living / Residential Health Care Facilities” and then scrolling, or
  • Type the name of a specific facility into the search box and then click the “Go” button.
  • When you find the facility you’re searching for, click on “Inspection Results and Facility Details” to view information.
  • The results provide information such as number of beds in the facility and detailed inspection surveys.

Ease of access to assisted living records in Kansas

We developed a system to rate each state on how easy – or difficult – it is to find important assisted living records and reports, and compiled tips to help you in your search.

States with the most transparent records allow you to look up important information about each assisted living facility online, including inspections, complaints, survey results, violations, capacity, and whether the facility accepts Medicaid.

Access to Kansas assisted living records: Exceptional

Public access to assisted living records and reports for the state of Kansas is exceptional. Key findings that informed this rating include:

  • The Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services website includes access to deficiency reports.
  • Kansas has transparent assisted living records and is in the first quartile of states in our ratings.

We developed a standard methodology for state data collection and evaluation, and we based our rating primarily on the objective, state-specific accessibility criteria outlined in these questions:

  1. Are licensed assisted living communities listed online in any form? Yes
  2. If Yes to #1, is the information updated frequently? Yes
  3. If Yes to #1, is the list of licensed communities searchable? Yes
  4. Does the state post inspections, complaints, survey results, or violations online? Yes
  5. If Yes to #4, is the information updated frequently (within 90 days)? No or N/A
  6. If Yes to #2 and #4, is the enforcement information included in the same place as licensed communities? Yes
  7. If Yes to #4 and No to #6, are violations and inspections searchable at all? Yes or N/A
  8. Is information about special licensing for care shown? Yes
  9. Is capacity shown? Yes
  10. Are payment types shown (e.g., Medicaid, private pay)? Yes
  11. Is the administrator/contact name shown? Yes
  12. Can the state fine a facility? Yes
  13. What is the frequency of inspections? Every 15 months
  14. Does the website include pricing of facilities? No

References

  1. A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.

  2. Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services. Frail and elderly waiver program.

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.