This webpage is intended to assist Kansans in exploring the costs associated with elderly care throughout the state. This includes looking at specific geographic regions within the state and exploring the average cost of assisted living, in-home care and in-home health care, and adult day care. Programs offering financial assistance in caring for the elderly, as well as care assistance programs, whether it is in the home or in a residential facility, will also be covered.
The compiled lists of programs assisting with senior care that are found on this page encompass all of the programs that are offered by the state of Kansas. However, there are also programs offered on a national level that are not included on this webpage. It’s important to explore all avenues when searching for senior care assistance in order to find the program that makes the most sense for your family. Our Resource Locator Tool, which is free to use, is invaluable in searching for additional senior care programs.
Kansas Eldercare Costs for 2024
Assisted Living / Memory Care
According to Genworth’s 2023 Cost of Care Survey, the monthly average cost of assisted living in Kansas statewide is $5,859. However, throughout Kansas, the costs vary. The lowest monthly cost for assisted living can be found in Manhattan at $5,500. The city of Wichita runs a monthly average of $6,800, while the cost in Topeka is $6,525. The highest average monthly rate for assisted living is found in Lawrence, at $7,650.
Memory Care, also referred to as Alzheimer’s Care, is also available in assisted living facilities. For this type of care, which is approximately 20% to 30% more costly than traditional assisted living, one can expect to pay approximately $1,375 to $1,912 more a month.
Home Care
Per Genworth’s 2023 Cost of Care Survey, the average hourly rate of non-medical, in-home care statewide in Kansas is $32. The lowest cost of in-home care can be found in Wichita, at $29 per hour.
In-home health care is another option for elderly care in Kansas and provides a higher degree of care. This service is provided by health care professionals and generally costs $1.00 more per hour than does non-medical, in-home care.
Adult Day Care
Adult day care in Kansas, according to Genworth’s 2023 Cost of Care Survey, runs residents an average of $160 / day. The most expensive adult day care is found in Wichita, at an average of $175 / day.
Kansas Medicaid Financial Assistance Programs
Medicaid Programs & Waivers for the Elderly
Medicaid is a health care program for low-income residents and is a joint partnership between the federal government and the state. While the federal government sets the parameters for the program, the state administers the program as they see fit within the given parameters. In Kansas, Medicaid is called KanCare, which is a managed care program for all Medicaid recipients throughout the state. Through this program, nursing home care is covered, in addition to some in-home personal care assistance.
Kansas also has a Home and Community Based Services program specifically designed for the elderly.
This waiver program has been integrated into KanCare and is intended to prevent or delay unnecessary nursing home placement. Services available via the FE Waiver include adult day care, personal emergency response systems, assistive technology, medication reminders, assisted living care services, and attendant care services. Personal care services may be self-directed, meaning eligible applicants can hire the person of their choosing, including select family members.
Medicaid Eligibility
In order to be eligible for Kansas Medicaid in 2024, income and assets of elderly Kansans are considered. For the Frail Elderly Waiver, individuals must have income below $2,829 / month. The limit for countable assets is set at $2,000. An individual’s primary home is considered exempt, given the individual, or their spouse, lives in it and the equity value is under $713,000.
If an individual is over the income and / or asset restrictions, this does not automatically call for disqualification. Kansas has a Medically Needy program, also referred to as a spend down, which allows individuals with high medical bills to receive services once they “spend down” their disposable income on these bills. However, for the medically needy pathway, the monthly income limit is much lower, and as of 2024, is $475 for a single applicant or a household of two.
Please note that it is extremely important that an applicant does not give away assets, or sell them cheaply, in an attempt to meet the asset limit. This is because Medicaid has a look-back period, and violating this rule can result in a period of Medicaid ineligibility. Experienced Medicaid planners can assist with planning techniques to lower income and / or asset(s) without jeopardizing one’s eligibility. Therefore, it may be helpful to contact a professional Medicaid planner for assistance.
Kansas Non-Medicaid Assistance Programs
The state of Kansas also offers two non-Medicaid assistance program that provide care assistance to seniors.
The SCA program is administered by the local Area Agencies on Aging offices throughout the state. The services may vary based on geographic location, but may include personal care assistance, homemaker services, adult day care, respite care, chore services, and transportation assistance. Some services, such as homemaker services and personal care assistance, may be self-directed. This means eligible applicants can choose their own provider, including select family members.
Another program that may benefit Kansas seniors is the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP). This program offers financial assistance to low-income individuals to help cover the cost of heating or cooling their homes. While this program does not directly provide financial or care assistance for the elderly, it may free up money that can be used toward senior care.
PACE Programs in Kansas
The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is a joint initiative between Medicare and Medicaid to help seniors get the care and services they need in the community rather than transitioning to a nursing home for care. Because Medicaid differs in each state, PACE eligibility varies between states.
The PACE program in Kansas promotes comprehensive health services for aging adults. PACE participants receive most services in their homes or at PACE Centers. Services include prescription drug coverage, caregiver training, respite care, preventative care, medically necessary transportation, primary and specialty care, personal care, in-home clinical assistance and durable medical equipment, among others. To qualify for PACE in Kansas, applicants must:
- Be aged 55 or older
- Live in a PACE service area
- Be certified by the state as meeting a nursing home level of care
- Be able to live safely in the community with the help of PACE services
How To Get Started with PACE in Kansas
Participants with Medicaid or Medicare can join PACE or pay for PACE out of pocket if they don’t have either coverage. To learn more about eligibility requirements, service areas, provided services and how to join, contact the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services at (785) 296-8288 or visit the KanCare Medicaid for Kansas website. Older adults may also contact the Kansas PACE provider from the list below that services their area.
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PACE Provider
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Contact
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Areas Served
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Ascension Living HOPE
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(316) 858-1111
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Sedgwick County
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Bluestem PACE
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(844) 588-7223
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Harvey, Marion, McPherson, Reno, Rice and Saline counties
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Midland Care PACE
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(800) 491-3691
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Douglas, Jackson, Jefferson, Leavenworth, Lyon, Marshall, Nemaha, Osage, Pottawatomie, Shawnee, Wabaunsee and Wyandotte counties
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Other Financial Options for Care
In addition to the state specific programs that assist in covering the cost of elderly care in Kansas, there are also federal and non-profit programs available. In order to find other programs that assist in paying for care or reduce your out-of-pocket cost, make sure to use our Resource Locator Tool. This tool makes it easy to locate and consider all of your options and choose the program that best fits the circumstances. Eldercare loans and programs that aid veterans with assisted living are other available options.
Finding Affordable Care in Kansas
Given the large variance in the cost of elderly care in Kansas, particularly with assisted living and adult day care, one of the best cost saving measures is to find a provider that offers affordable care. When looking for affordable care assistance, it’s important to check with multiple providers.
To assist in your search, our organization has partnered with other organizations that maintain large databases of care providers. They will assist in matching your needs and budget with qualified providers in your area. To find affordable care, click here to get started.
Eldercare Financial Assistance Locator
- Discover all of your options
- Search over 400 Programs
Top Cities for Senior Care in Kansas
For more information about the costs and resources available in Kansas cities, click on the links below.
Top Cities for Memory Care
Top Cities for Assisted Living
