10 Best Nursing Homes in Kansas City, MO

Families use a variety of methods to pay for senior care facilities in Kansas City. Regardless of how you plan to fund care in a nursing home, assisted living facility, or memory care facility, knowledge of every available private and public payment option is important when making these weighty financial decisions.

In this section, we’ll cover private pay, VA benefits, Medicare, and Medicaid resources for seniors in Kansas City.

Nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities are overseen by the federal government, specifically the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. However, the states carry out regulations. In Missouri, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) licenses and inspects nursing homes. In Kansas, the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) performs those duties. DHSS and KDADS conduct routine inspections of nursing homes, and also investigate any complaints related to alleged abuse, neglect, or unlicensed facilities.

Licensing and inspection information is available online through the DHSS website and KDADS website.

In terms of regulations for Kansas City, Missouri, nursing homes, the state of Missouri sets standards related to certifications, licensures, training, sanitary standards, and resident rights. With regard to sanitation, for instance, the regulations state that nursing homes must have easy-to-clean surfaces, one-time use utensils and cups, proper food preparation areas, and sealed foods kept at safe temperatures.^[05]

In Kansas, regular inspections are performed to ensure all regulations are being met, typically annually. These inspections cover a broad range of areas, including care, medication management, staff levels, and facility maintenance. As an example, nursing homes located in Kansas state must have at least one registered nurse on duty for at least eight hours a day.  Inspections are performed by KDADS, but might also involve representatives from CMS.

Laws and regulations for other senior care facilities in Kansas City

Some of the above regulations also apply to memory care and assisted living facilities in Kansas City. In Missouri, for example, any facility that provides care for people who have physical, cognitive, or other impairments that might make it difficult for them to safely evacuate the building in case of an emergency must meet the same minimum staff-to-resident ratios: 1:15 during daytime and evening shifts and 1:20 during overnights.^[06]

The comprehensive list of laws and regulations for assisted living in Missouri can be found here, but the following are some of the most pertinent points.

• There must be 24-hour care and protective oversight.
• Facilities are able to bring in services from third-party providers to meet residents’ needs.
• All new residents must have a physical examination conducted by a licensed physician.
• The maximum number of beds per unit is four.
• At least one shower must be provided for every 20 residents.
• There must be a licensed administrator in charge of the facility at all times

Memory care facilities in Missouri also are licensed and inspected by the DHSS. Each facility must have a licensed administrator, licensed nurse, and direct care staff. In addition, if a facility administers medications, it must have a Level I medication aide or certified medication technician on staff.

Kansas regulations

The full list of laws and regulations for assisted living in Kansas can be found here, but the following are some of the most pertinent points.

• Wellness and health monitoring is required.
• A licensed nurse, social worker or administrator must conduct a functional capacity screening on each new resident and follow up with screenings annually.
• Every apartment must be at least 200 square feet (not including bathrooms or closets).
• The facility must follow life safety codes for building.
• All staff must have training pertaining to abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and in disaster and emergency preparedness.
• Administrators and operators must hold a Kansas license as an adult care home administrator and complete the operator training.

Similarly, dementia care facilities in Kansas are required to have full-time operations, administrators, and 24-hour staff that is awake and active. There should also be a registered nurse available to supervise licensed nurses on staff. Furthermore, staff must be trained on how to treat behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services contact information

912 Wildwood
P.O. Box 570
Jefferson City, Missouri 65102
Phone: 573-751-6400
Fax: 573-751-6010
Email: info@health.mo.gov

Kansas Department of Health and Environment contact information

1000 SW Jackson Street, Topeka, KS 66612
Phone 785-296-1500
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

COVID-19 regulations for Kansas City nursing homes

Currently, there are no specific COVID-19 regulations for nursing homes or skilled nursing care facilities in the Kansas City metro area. Kansas City provides up-to-date general information and COVID-19 guidelines, including specifics regarding vaccinations, requirements, and community spread. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment provides these recommendations.

Whether you or your loved one prefers a certain location, amenities, or level of care, Kansas City has options available. While A Place for Mom does not partner with nursing homes, we have 13 facilities that offer assisted living and memory care, and almost all offer an on-site physician or comparable medical staff member.

Kansas City is the largest city in Missouri, with more than 508,000 residents spread throughout the metro area.^[02] The city is known for its thriving arts scene, mouth-watering barbecue joints, and a rich history in jazz music. This vibrant and dynamic city is undergoing a bit of a renaissance, and its options for senior housing are equally impressive.

Combo assisted living and memory care facilities in Kansas City

Most of our listings are a combination of assisted living and memory care facilities. The type of care you or your loved one chooses will depend on the level of care needed.

For seniors who need an extra level of care, assisted living and memory care communities (or a combination of the two) are great options. Whether residents need help with medication management, dementia, or diabetic-specific ailments, assisted living or memory care facilities can provide that helping hand. For example, all of our partner assisted living facilities in Kansas City provide diabetic care, almost all of the facilities offer full medication management, and almost 70% of facilities offer staff that has specialized training in memory care.^[07]

Activities for everyone

Assisted living communities and memory care facilities in Kansas City also provide ample opportunities for residents to bond by hosting activities like cooking classes, trivia competitions, devotional activities, educational speakers, and so much more. Almost all of our listings also have beauty salons and barber shops, so residents can get pampered regularly. For residents who can safely leave the assisted living facilities, they also organize a variety of day trips and outings for residents.

24/7 care

All of our senior care facility listings offer 24-hour awake staff, so residents and their loved ones never have to worry about receiving care. On top of that, 85% of our listings offer full medication management, so your loved one is always taken care of.^[07] If safety is a concern, almost half of our facilities offer wander guards or similar systems to alert staff if someone is exiting a specifically defined area.

Nursing homes in the surrounding Kansas City suburbs

For families who prefer care in a more suburban setting, A Place for Mom has myriad options for the Kansas City area. Nearby communities like Independence, North Kansas City, and Johnson County all boast assisted living and memory care options that can meet your needs.

Health care for seniors in Kansas City

The Kansas City area provides excellent healthcare options for seniors including:

Transportation for seniors in Kansas City

Kansas City has somewhat limited options for walkability and public transit, so  it tends to be a car-first metro. However, the majority of our partner facilities offer complimentary transportation services for residents.

For visiting friends and family, the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority does operate bus routes throughout the metro area. A full rundown of area routes and stops can be found on the transportation authority’s website.

Meanwhile, there are ADA paratransit and non-ADA remand response services available through the KCATA Freedom program. Seniors must meet eligibility requirements. The full application is available online through the KCATA.