Are you looking for the best assisted living facilities in Wichita for your loved one? Wichita is a favored spot for retirees due to its lively community and warm summers. As the “air capital of the world,” this city is sure to provide your loved one with ample amusement and assistance.
This vibrant city has 15 A Place for Mom partnered assisted living facilities, all of which are located within a 10-mile radius of the downtown area. Residents of these communities can look forward to personalized care, tasty and nutritious meals, a safe environment, and enriching social activities.
This guide covers everything you need to know about assisted living in Wichita. We will look at costs and payment options, regulations, demographics, useful resources to help your loved one settle down in the city, and let’s not forget all the attractions that make Wichita a unique hotspot for retirees.
My brother is a resident at Parkwest in Independent Living. I would recommend this facility to others. His experience at this facility has been great. The cleaning staff is really good. They keep the grounds...
When you walk in it just gives you great vibes! Like you just walked into a little village. The place is clean, smells great! The rooms are nice and spacious to fit your needs for 1 or a couple .the...
We were only here a short amount of time, but the staff were amazing! They were awesome at getting Mom involved in interactions with the other residents. They also made us feel very welcomed when we visited...
Unfortunately my friend lived there 7 months and died in December. They took good care of her. Two things. The facility Is set up to where all the residents have access to everything. There's not any...
From the very beginning, from 1st visit and tour to my mom’s passing, every staff member was so welcoming and compassionate not only about what they do, but with their interactions with the residents as...
Administration and floor staff are the best! The facility is beautiful! The food is amazing in taste and presentation! I feel I can come and go and my aunt will be taken good care of when I’m not there! ...
When I brought Dad, the staff came out to the vehicle and helped us get moved in. They knew what we were going through and talked us all the way through it. The house was warm and comfortable, I felt at ease...
The staff has been amazing and take wonderful care of my mother in law. Housekeeping also are great with taking care of her apartment. Since moving there, my mother in law has had not one complaint....
We absolutely love the KMH community, from the staff it has just been a wonderful positive experience. We have had no drawbacks or complaints whatsoever. The staff members seem very happy and content - they...
It's a friendly, well-run place. The food is varied, and it's good quality. It tastes like something you'd get at a restaurant. They clean the rooms weekly. They seem to not be staffed well enough...
While our loved one was there, we were never allowed to eat a meal so we cannot comment based on our experience but according to our loved one she never complained. They were still in super covid lockdown...
The community is very welcoming, helpful and understanding. I'm glad my Dad has the staff at via Christi McLean, it may be a bit run down compared to other facilities, but I will take this staff over...
Rosewood Cottage welcomed my dad who has Alzheimers seven months ago. A place for mom told me about them and I am forever grateful they did. The staff and owner are exceptionally kind to my family and my...
My wifes son and I toured about 10 different facilities and we both independently concluded that this was the best place for my wife. It has turned out to be a great choice. I would definitely recommend...
If a friend asked I wouldn't recommend. The service to cost at first seemed ok but like most places it's on the job training and the professionalism seemed lacking at times. At other times they did quite...
prior to covid, it was the best for money, but as we all know covid caused issues for everyone. Room sizes are above average, and the food was satisfactory with a good variety. I would recommend this...
My loved one is currently a resident at Homestead of Crestview and everything has been very good. I would recommend this facility to others.
My loved one is a resident here and everything has been great. The facility is very clean. At any given time, there are 3-4 nurses on hand. The facility does not smell like urine. The facility is more of a...
I wanted to take a moment to thank you for the care and support you've provided to my loved one over the last several months. Your kindness and attention to detail have meant the world to us, and we are...
Staff was very, very friendly, very clean. Food was very good. They delivered meals to my aunt when she did not feel like going to the diner would’ve love to stay longer, but my aunt needed more care and...
What a wonderful community of residents and staff! Prairie Homestead is like living in a neighborhood where everyone knows each other and cares about all the neighbors. I never thought I wanted to leave my...
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Wichita community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
According to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data, the average actual costs for assisted living are $4,444 per month.[01] This sum includes all associated fees and add-on service fees. Services and amenities that are commonly included in the costs include assistance with daily activities, meals and dining, transportation services or parking areas for seniors with their own cars, housekeeping, recreation, and enriching common room activities.
Please note that the following figures represent the average baseline area costs without any add-on fees.
Assisted living facilities include all their costs in a flat monthly fee. Seniors who are planning to retire to one of these communities in Wichita have several options when it comes to payment sources. In the following section, we’ll look at private ways to pay, VA benefits, Medicare, and Medicaid as financial resources.
Private methods are usually the first options that seniors turn to. Such income sources commonly include pensions, savings accounts, as well as good investment returns. Other means also include the following:
Number of veterans who live in Wichita
About 23% of Wichita veterans are 75+
If you or a family member are a veteran looking to settle down in Wichita, it’s important to know that there are benefits available. These benefits are geared specifically toward helping veterans pay for assisted living and other expenses. In this section, we’ll introduce you to all the resources you need to apply for those benefits.
The most generous VA option is Aid and Attendance. This option is specifically geared toward those who need help with daily activities. To qualify, you must already be receiving a VA Pension and one of the following criteria must be met:
The VA benefits system is known for being difficult. To make the process less frustrating, it’s essential to contact the right offices or individuals who can provide you with the assistance that you need to process a successful application.
Veteran service officers are regional experts in this matter. Regardless of whether you think you qualify for benefits or not, the first step in the application process should be to contact your local veterans service officers. They can guide you through the complexities of the system and even point out extra benefits that you might not be aware of that you qualify for. Check out the resources below to help you get started.
Resources for Wichita veterans
Kansas DAV and Regional Office
5500 E. Kellogg Ave.
Wichita, KS 67218
Phone: 316-688-6722
Kansas VFW and Local Veterans Service Officers
5500 E. Kellogg Drive, Bldg 61
Wichita, KS 67218
Email: ksvfwhq@kvfw.kscoxmail.com
Supportive Services for Veteran Families
437 N. Topeka St.
Wichita, KS 67202
Phone: 316-202-0637
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
KanVet
Phone: 785-762-8870
Email: joseph.comfort@ks.gov
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Operation Second Chance
Phone: 301-972-1080
Phone: 888-672-4838
The Medicaid program in Kansas is called the KanCare Medical Assistance Program. Medicaid is a health care program that supports low-income elderly, but in this case, it cannot be used to pay the rent at assisted living facilities. However, it can go toward necessary in-home medical care. The most common program that assists seniors through KanCare for in-house care is the Home and Community-Based Service waiver program, or HCBS waiver.
If you’re not currently covered, you can check your eligibility for Medicaid in Kansas, and you can also conveniently apply online by filling out the application for KanCare. Should you struggle with navigating the process, there’s no need to feel lost. The local Agency on Aging and the local ombudsman are always at hand to assist seniors with any problems and queries related to Medicaid. Their contact details can be found in the resources section below.
Wichita resident Medicaid resources
Kansas Department of Health & Environment
1000 SW Jackson St.
Topeka, KS 66612
Email: kdhe.info@ks.gov
Phone: 785-296-1500
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Central Plains Area Agency on Aging (CPAAA)
Ronald Reagan building
271 W. Third St. N, Suite 500
Wichita, KS 67202
Phone: 855-200-2372
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Local KanCare Ombudsman
Kerrie Bacon
Phone: 855-643-8180
Satellite Office Direct Phone: 316-978-3567
Relay: 711
Email: KanCare.Ombudsman@ks.gov
Hours: Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Thursday, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
As a federal health program, Medicare aims to provide health insurance for people who are 65 and older. It does not cover the custodial costs of assisted living. But when a doctor and Medicare professionals determine that you have a valid medically necessary cost, then Medicare will cover those expenses.
Costs covered by Medicare often include the following: medical social services, physical therapy, occupational therapy, part-time home health aide services, occasional skilled nursing care, speech therapy, and injectable osteoporosis drugs.
Kansas has three Medicare Savings Programs (MSP). Each of these programs will cover different levels of Medicare expenses like premiums and copayments. Another way Medicare can help is through the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), which coordinates care for seniors who are at least 55 years old and need a level of care that would normally qualify them for a nursing home.
To apply for Medicare, go to the Social Security Administration office, or apply for Medicare online. This might seem like a complex maze if you’ve never applied to Medicare before, but the local ombudsman can clarify any queries you may have on eligibility, successful applications, and more. The Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK) is a completely free service staffed with advocates ready to answer all your questions on Medicare and help you start the process.
Wichita resident Medicare resources
Social Security Administration Office
3216 N. Cypress Drive
Wichita, KS 67226
Phone: 800-772-1213
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Kansas Region-4 Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Marilyn Randa
Phone: 316-347-1429
Email: Marilyn.Randa@ks.gov
Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK)
Phone: 800-860-5260
Fax: 785-296-0256
KanCare Medicare Savings Program
Phone: 1-800-792-4884
Kansas Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
503 S. Kansas Ave.
Topeka, KS 66603
Phone: 785-296-8288
Email: KDADS_PACE@ks.gov
All assisted living facilities in Kansas must be licensed. The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) licenses all adult care homes in the state, including assisted living communities. KDADS inspections are conducted on a regular basis and check that facilities comply with all federal and state requirements for safety, health, quality of care, medication management policies, staffing requirements, resident rights, and infection control procedures. KDADS provides a public database where you can view facilities and their inspection reports.
Kansas assisted living facilities (ALF) must follow these statutes and regulations, which defines ALFs as place caring for six or more residents who need personal care and supervised nursing care. The facility itself must have a variety of services available 24/7 that support the residents’ independence.
No particular staff ratios are set forth in the regulations, but the facility is required to have what is deemed a sufficient number to provide care at all times. Someone must always be awake, and all staff must pass a criminal background check.
Kansas also licenses small, private residences as adult care homes, also called boarding care homes. These are for no more than 10 people who can mostly manage their daily affairs on their own, but do need some assistance with activities of daily living. These homes do not offer the level of care that an assisted living facility does.
Kansas Department of Health & Environment
1000 SW Jackson St.
Topeka, KS 66612
Phone: 785-296-1500
Hours: Monday though Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Currently, there are no specific guidelines for residents to adhere to in Wichita’s assisted living communities to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.
It’s worth noting that some assisted living communities might have their own COVID-19 rules. If you’re interested in a particular facility, don’t hesitate to contact them to find out more about their COVID-19 safety strategies.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends avoiding those who are infected and to stay up to date with your vaccinations.
Masks should be worn around the vulnerable and by those with COVID-19.
Facilities must be cleaned regularly with a high-grade disinfectant.
Self-isolate when diagnosed with COVID-19.
When it comes to assisted living in Wichita, you can expect a safe community where residents are still generally active, but they receive assistance with daily necessities such as grooming, going to the bathroom, dressing, and other services designed to make all of life’s chores a little easier.
With cozy living spaces and furnished patios, our partner assisted living communities offer apartments and units that are designed to make aging more comfortable. Many offer wheelchair-accessible showers and entrances, housekeeping, and laundry services. Some facilities also provide parking spaces or even garages for residents and transportation services for those without vehicles. At the end of the day, assisted living in Wichita equals comfort and freedom of movement.
Assisted living facilities in Wichita offer their residents a plethora of fun and educational activities. Residents can visit in-house libraries, beauty salons, and common rooms, meet on the outside patio, or watch a sports event together in the TV room. Such facilities also offer clubs (think walking and gardening, arts and crafts), fitness activities, outings, barbecues, parties, and hobby-orientated classes and programs. Many facilities organize outings to local restaurants and attractions.
No matter what you want to be near, there is a facility that’s conveniently located for your needs. Some of our partner facilities are near quiet local parks, while others are located next to major shopping centers and local restaurants. Nearby grocery stores and pharmacies make running errands easy.
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Number of seniors over the age of 65 currently living in Wichita[02]
Median annual income for Wichita seniors 65 and older[02]
As the largest city in Kansas, Wichita is home to several first-class medical centers and hospitals that can meet all the health care needs of area residents.
Ascension Via Christi St. Francis
Ascension is one of the nation’s leading non-profit and Catholic health systems. It’s rated as Wichita’s No. 1 hospital.
Wesley Medical Center has national rankings in three adult specialties, and most patients agree that they would recommend Wesley to others.
Robert J. Dole Department of Veterans Affairs Medical and Regional Center
The VA hospital in Wichita services the health care needs of area veterans.
Most people in Wichita rely on their own personal transport to get around. Indeed, Wichita is categorized as a “car-dependent city.” This is already concerning for seniors with assisted living needs, but the walk score also suggests that walking might not be the most effective means to go shopping. Wichita has a walk score of 35 out of 100 (the higher the number, the easier you can walk any given area), meaning that seniors require transport to run errands in Wichita.[06]
The good news is that 67% of our partner assisted living facilities offer free transportation services, while 53% provide them at-cost. But if you need other means of getting around, public transportation in Wichita is available but limited.
Veterans can travel for free via Wichita Public Transit’s “Veterans Ride Free” Program. Every fixed route bus in the city is also ADA compliant, but for seniors with more challenging physical or mental conditions, Wichita offers a fleet of shuttles called Paratransit, while some assisted living communities might also offer their own forms of transport for residents.
Wichita is a popular retirement destination, and not just because the city offers high-tier assisted living arrangements. Wichita is also packed with opportunities that cater to every level of mobility, and there are endless activities that seniors can do together with their family and friends. In other words, if you’re a social butterfly with a taste for culture, entertainment, and fine cuisine, then Wichita might just be the perfect place to spend your golden years.
Just outside of Wichita is a hotspot for seniors who fancy their luck at machines and game tables. The high-energy Kansas Star Casino provides fresh meals, and luxury units if you decide to stay over. This gorgeous complex certainly takes a few days (or a few visits) to fully appreciate.
There’s nothing like taking your best friends or family and going on a sightseeing trip. In this regard, Wichita is a gem. There is truly something for everyone, especially if the past holds a special fascination. History fans can visit the city’s surprisingly vast collection of specialty museums, such as the Museum of World Treasures. Not only do they provide hours of learning and looking at artifacts from bygone eras, but seniors are also given special entry fee discounts.
There is no shortage of things to do for assisted living residents who are still active. In particular, Wichita has a great culture of self-guided tours and scavenger hunts that is guaranteed to be a social hit for you and your friends. The scavenger hunts also have interesting themes, so wonder no more what you’ll be doing on a lazy afternoon.
One of the most passive activities for seniors (but not boring) is to spend a day at the natural wonders that Wichita has to offer. There are two major attractions. The first is Wichita’s comprehensive zoo. If you’d rather admire stunning foliage and flowers, then head on over to the city’s famous botanical garden. Both sanctuaries boast thousands of species, so you’ll see something new with every visit. There are also several green parks and plains where you can unfurl that picnic blanket and have a peaceful meal out in nature.
Wichita is home to a wide variety of theaters and live shows. From small to large, these companies offer entertaining live musicals, performances, concerts, and acting. Once the show is over and dinner time is looming, the city offers a variety of restaurants with amazing menus, drinks, and entertainment of their own.
Parkwest, Avita Senior Living at Rolling Hills and Regent Park Assisted Living and Memory Care are the top-rated Assisted Living facilities near Wichita, KS. These Assisted Living facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Assisted Living in Wichita is $5,029 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
A Place for Mom. (2022). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Population Estimates 2021: Wichita, Kansas [Data set].
U.S. News & World Report. (2022). Ascension Via Christi Hospital Wichita.
U.S. News & World Report. (2022). Wesley Medical Center.
U.S. News. (2023). Robert J. Dole Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Walk Score. (2023). Wichita.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
A Place for Mom. (2022). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Population Estimates 2021: Wichita, Kansas [Data set].
U.S. News & World Report. (2022). Ascension Via Christi Hospital Wichita.
U.S. News & World Report. (2022). Wesley Medical Center.
U.S. News. (2023). Robert J. Dole Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Walk Score. (2023). Wichita.