Wichita is a welcoming mid-size city known for being home to several major players in the aviation industry. As the largest city in Kansas, it’s also a hub for shopping, entertainment, and cultural activity.
If you’re seeking a nursing home in Wichita that’s close by, it’s possible that you’re actually in need of either memory care or assisted living for your loved one. Memory care facilities offer round-the-clock specialized care and permanent housing for seniors experiencing memory loss, while assisted living facilities provide assistance to seniors who are somewhat mobile but require help with their daily routine. A nursing home is for those who need constant medical care and not just personal assistance. Many times, all of these types of senior living arrangements are thought of as nursing homes, but there is a distinct difference.
This guide looks at 20 facilities that are assisted living and memory care partners of A Place For Mom. These listings fall within a 10-mile radius of Wichita’s downtown area. Furthermore, we’ll also answer important questions about memory care and assisted living costs, payment options, regulations, useful resources, and more.
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 very pleased with Chisholm Place and would highly recommend it. My mom passed a year ago in [date removed]. Our mom enjoyed the activities, I think especially the ones when they brought in animals to...
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...
My mom doesn't have many complaints other than not a variety of foods - not that it's not good, just limited variety. Friendly people make this a good place to be
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...
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! ...
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....
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...
Brookdale East Wichita is the only facility in Wichita for Dementia patients. To be really honest, the facility is very nice but is very understaffed.
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...
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...
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...
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...
The stay at Wichita Center for Rehabilitation has been fine. They have all been really friendly. I would recommend the facility to a friend. I appreciated that they reached out to me right away when...
My loved one is currently a resident at Homestead of Crestview and everything has been very good. I would recommend this facility to others.
I chose The Rushwood Senior Living over other places I looked at because it is a new facility, the food was good, and staff were very friendly. The apartment sizes were also better than others available in...
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...
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...
Mother has been well cared for. The food has been good for her and she has developed an appreciation for some of the staff, even though in her condition she tends to judge people rather harshly. The house...
I would say that we are pretty satisfied with my mother's care and she is content there. If you can afford it, it's a pretty good place. Yes I would recommend.
the facility has really came a long way. Its clean, caters to all ages, offers alot of activities and you never smell bad odors like you do in alot of facilities. Its like a city within a city with their...
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
The monthly median cost of a private room in a Wichita nursing home is $6,965.[01] While the average monthly cost of an assisted living facility is $5,425 and $5,504 for a memory care facility, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data.[02]
The assisted living and memory care facilities figure is a total cost, which includes personal care, room and board, meals, and medication management. Housekeeping, laundry, and maintenance are also provided. Access to community spaces and planned activities, as well as add-ons and service fees are factored into the above average.
In the next section, we’ll take a look at ways to pay for nursing homes, assisted living, and memory care in Wichita. There are different payment options available to cover the cost of care.
Private payment is one option, but veterans and their spouses can also potentially use U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. In addition, Medicaid and Medicare offer public aid. By exploring these resources, you can develop a financial plan that guarantees access to the necessary care for you or your loved one. Here, you’ll find more information on private pay, VA benefits, Medicare, and Medicaid as resources for seniors.
Often, one of the first payment options that people turn to is private sources. These include Social Security benefits, savings accounts, pensions, investment returns, and any of the following:
Number of veterans who live in Wichita
About 23% of Wichita veterans are 75+
If you’re a veteran or you are looking into assisted living or memory care facilities on behalf of a veteran, it’s important to know that benefits are available — and these can help pay for rent, medical services, or both. This process can be notoriously difficult, so we’ll highlight the most generous option and also provide you with the resources to navigate the system with more ease.
While there are plenty of benefits available, like the VA Pension and the VA Disability Compensations, potentially one of the most useful ones is Aid and Attendance. To qualify, one must need assistance with daily activities, be in a nursing home or bed bound much of the day, or have poor vision. If you’re uncertain about what might make you eligible, it’s important to check with veterans service officers.
Veterans service officers are there to help you navigate the complex VA benefits system. They are VA benefits experts who can clarify whether you qualify or not, identify any potential extra benefits you might be eligible for, and also guide you step-by-step through the application. They are so essential, in fact, that contacting your local Veterans Service Organizations should be the first step in your application process. You’ll find the contact details for Kansas VSOs in the resources below.
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
In Kansas, the Medicaid program is called the KanCare Medical Assistance Program. This program helps with health care costs for low-income seniors. You can view your eligibility for Medicaid in Kansas, and also conveniently apply online by filling out the application for KanCare.
Medicaid cannot be used to pay the rent at assisted living or memory care facilities, but it can cover necessary in-house medical care. The program that gives seniors access through KanCare is the Home and Community-Based Service waiver program, or HCBS waiver. There are multiple waivers, but the Frail Elderly waiver is most likely to apply.
If you have any additional questions related to Medicaid, don’t hesitate to contact your local Agency on Aging or ombudsman for assistance. Their contact details are located in the resources below. These are both good starting points for figuring out eligibility and how to apply.
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.
Medicare is a federal health care program that, among other recipients, provides health insurance for people who are 65 and older. It doesn’t cover custodial costs, such as rent or room and board for nursing homes, assisted living, or memory care facilities.
However, Medicare covers skilled nursing to a limited degree and on a short-time basis. To use this benefit, the following conditions must apply:
Medicare also covers certain medical costs associated with assisted living and memory care. These can include room costs, meals, skilled nursing care, medications, medical social services, physical and occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical supplies and equipment, ambulance transportation, and dietary counseling.
You or your loved one can also benefit from Kansas Medicare Savings Programs. If qualified, one of these programs can either reduce Medicare premiums or pay for them entirely. Copayments and deductibles can also be covered under some levels of these savings programs. Another way you or your loved one might qualify for help is through the Kansas Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). You have to be at least 55 years old and need extensive care that might otherwise require nursing home placement. The goal of PACE is to keep seniors in a more independent setting while delivering services and care to them.
The Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK) is a valuable resource available to anyone with questions about Medicare and insurance. This volunteer-based service provides free assistance and guidance to individuals seeking information on a wide range of topics related to health care for seniors.
The local ombudsman can be an invaluable guide when it comes to things like eligibility, successful applications, and other inquiries. If you don’t already have Medicare, you can visit the Social Security Administration office or apply for Medicare online.
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
In Kansas, any nursing home, assisted living, or memory care facility must be licensed by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS). Nursing homes are also regulated at the federal level by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which upholds standards for quality of care.
In Kansas, licensed nursing homes, assisted living, and memory care facilities are typically inspected on an annual basis. Inspections are done by KDADS surveyors, and sometimes they are joined by CMS representatives. An inspection will cover several areas but some of the most important include resident care, staffing, medication management, and facility maintenance.
Anyone can access these reports and licenses for nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and memory care facilities. Adult Care Home Directory and Inspection Reports has the complete listing, and instructions for how to use the site can be found here.
Standards specific to Kansas nursing homes
Nursing homes in Kansas must adhere to specific standards. Under the Statutes and Regulations for the Licensure and Operation of Nursing Facilities, such requirements extend to staffing levels, proper training for staff members, and the provision of medical care and other critical services. For example, all nursing homes must have a registered nurse on duty for at least eight hours per day, and there must also be sufficient staffing levels to meet all of the residents’ needs.
For more information on the rights of nursing home residents and the laws that govern the facilities, review these resources:
Kansas assisted living facilities (ALF) must follow their own set of statutes and regulations. ALFs must provide a variety of care services that support the independence of residents. The facility itself is defined by having at least six residents who need supervised nursing and personal care. While there are no set standards for numbers of staff members, facilities are required to have enough to make sure everyone is cared for at all times. That also means someone has to be awake 24/7.
Memory care facilities fall under the saw statutes and regulations as ALFs. There are just two extra items that must be addressed. Their staff members must have training specific to caring for seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Finally, a wander-free environment must be created for residents, which means exits must be controlled at all times.
Kansas also licenses adult care homes (sometimes called boarding care homes). These are smaller, private residences that only house up to 10 people. While they do provide help with activities of daily living, the level of care is lower than at an assisted living facility because these residents are generally capable of managing on their own.
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.
As of now, Wichita’s senior living communities do not have any set guidelines for residents to follow to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, it is important to mention that some facilities may have implemented their own safety measures. If you have a specific facility in mind, it is recommended that you inquire about their COVID-19 protocols.
Vaccinations. The CDC recommends staying up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters.
Masking. The most recent Kansas mask guidelines for visitors to long-term care facilities leave it up to each facility to decide if masking is required.
Facility cleanliness. Visiting areas must be cleaned after every visit; surfaces must be cleaned with proper disinfectant.
Quarantining. Self-isolate when suspected/diagnosed with COVID-19 (with supportive care), according to CDC guidelines.
In Wichita, nursing homes provide a comfortable environment and long-term housing for seniors who need nursing care around the clock at a level just below hospitalization. Such communities offer the highest level of care to elderly adults who have significant health conditions that require constant medical care. Nursing homes in Wichita can also be a short-term option for seniors who need rehabilitative care after being discharged from the hospital.
There are 20 partner A Place For Mom senior living facilities in Wichita. While there are standalone facilities (four assisted living and three memory care), very often, the more popular choice is a place that offers different types of accommodations in one setting. In Wichita, you will also find the following combinations:
Wichita’s assisted living facilities provide an extensive range of enjoyable and informative activities to their residents. These include access to in-house libraries, beauty salons, and common areas, as well as opportunities to gather on outside patios or watch sports events together in TV rooms. In addition, various clubs (such as walking, gardening, and arts and crafts), fitness programs, outings, barbecues, parties, and hobby-focused classes and programs are offered. Several facilities also arrange excursions to local restaurants and attractions.
The memory care facilities in Wichita have been specifically created to offer a safe and caring atmosphere for residents, with well-trained staff who understand the particular requirements of this demographic. There is always someone available around-the-clock to provide care or assistance whenever needed. Over half of our affiliated memory care facilities have implemented a wander management system to ensure that your loved one is secure while still being able to move around freely.
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Median annual income for Wichita seniors 65 and older
Residents of Wichita can expect first-class treatment at the following hospitals and medical centers.
Ascension Via Christi St. Francis
Ranked fourth in the entire state of Kansas and first in Wichita, Ascension is considered the best hospital in Central Kansas by U.S. News & World Report.
U.S. News & World Report rated Wesley Medical Center high performing in its care for patients with heart attacks, heart failure, and strokes.
Robert J. Dole Department of Veterans Affairs Medical and Regional Center
The Dole VA is the primary health facility for Central Kansas veterans.
A safer and reliable option for seniors to get where they need to go in Wichita is to use transportation services that are offered by our partner senior living facilities. About 63% of our partner assisted living and memory care facilities provide their residents with both complementary and at-cost transportation services.
If a senior’s care community doesn’t offer transportation, or their family needs public transport, a good option is the Wichita Public Transit. It has fixed bus routes, and all vehicles are ADA-compliant. WPT also provides a specialized fleet of shuttles that offer transport to individuals with severe cognitive and physical disabilities. Called Paratransit, this service is very reliable since the drivers are given specialized training to best serve this community.
When seniors venture into Wichita for a night (or day) on the town, they can look forward to fun outings, activities, and delicious meals. Many senior living communities take their residents on group trips, or families take their elderly loved ones to the best places in Wichita for some quality time together. Here are just some of the highlights that you can expect.
Near Wichita is a popular casino and entertainment center called the Kansas Star Casino. Here, seniors and their families can enjoy a spot of gambling and wonderful restaurants.
Wichita also has a wide variety of fascinating museums. The Museum of World Treasures is packed with ancient artifacts and historical memorabilia and also offers group tours, educational programs, and scavenger hunts. Another hotspot is Exploration Place which has countless interactive exhibits and entertaining live science shows.
Seniors and their families who want to take it easy and enjoy nature can visit Wichita’s Sedgwick County Zoo or the botanical garden. The latter is particularly welcoming to nature lovers with its different types of gardens, and there’s even a butterfly house.
Wichita also has a strong theater and live show culture. Residents can enjoy a great time with family and friends watching plays and live music shows. The city’s cuisine culture also makes Wichita a popular place to retire and celebrate special times with loved ones over a good meal. There, you will find everything from fast food, pizza restaurants, grills, steakhouses, Italian, Mexican, pubs, and more if you would like to take your loved one out to eat.
Avita Senior Living at Rolling Hills, Andover Court and Chisholm Place are the top-rated Nursing Homes facilities near Wichita, KS. These Nursing Homes facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Nursing Homes in Wichita is $4,966 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
Genworth Financial. (2021). Cost of Care Survey.
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.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
Genworth Financial. (2021). Cost of Care Survey.
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.