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Because of the specialized staff training and resources required to provide high-quality memory care, memory care typically costs more than other types of residential care. On average, memory care will cost 20-30% more than assisted living.
In Kansas, seniors pay $4,473 per month for assisted living services, which is about 10% higher than the national average of $4,051. Based on the state’s average monthly rate, families can expect to pay between $5,368 and $5,815 per month for residential memory care.
While Kansas is relatively expensive overall for assisted living, the cost of care varies significantly from one region to another. In the state’s capital city of Topeka, assisted living costs $3,738 per month. This is 8% lower than the national cost of care and corresponds to an average monthly memory care fee of $4,673. However, just 30 miles away in the city of Lawrence, assisted living costs an average of $5,450 per month, meaning that memory care costs approximately $6,813. Wichita’s assisted living fees are $4,698 and Manhattan’s are $4,975, which corresponds to monthly residential memory care fees of $5,873 and $6,219, respectively.
The FE waiver program allows participants to receive nursing home-level care in a residential facility. While this waiver doesn’t cover room and board in a residential memory care facility, it does cover a range of services like adult day health care, attendant care, financial management, nursing evaluation visits, sleep cycle support, medication reminders, wellness monitoring and personal emergency response systems. In some cases, services may be self-directed, and some family members may be eligible for hire as caregivers.
Kansas has three PACE programs that provide services in 23 Kansas counties. PACE promotes a full range of quality health care services for seniors, including those with conditions like Alzheimer’s. It features an interdisciplinary clinical team, which comprises a primary care physician, a nurse, a social worker, therapists, personal care attendants, a dietician and transportation providers. This team assesses an individual’s needs and coordinates services for them. Some services that are provided include meals, activities and exercise programs, therapy, dental care and specialist services. PACE also extends caregiver training, support groups and respite care, as well as medical transportation to medical appointments within the community.
The SCA program helps seniors who are unable to live independently but are able to reside in a community-based residence if certain services are provided, with the aim of helping to avoid or delay nursing home placement. The services covered by this program are those that don’t require medical training to perform, and participants self-direct their care, meaning that they choose who they receive services from. In some cases, family members can be hired to perform some tasks. While spouses are generally ineligible to be hired by the program participant, in rural areas where there are limited options, this may be permitted. Services vary by region and include things like personal care, respite services, homemaker and chore services and adult day health care. Participants contribute to the cost of the services provided based on their ability to pay.
Kansas FCSP provides support for informal caregivers, typically family members, of seniors with conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The goal of the program is to ensure that participants have access to information and resources that they need to support their roles as caregivers. This program funds a wide variety of services, including individual and group counseling, caregiver training, respite, and supplemental services like personal care, chore and homemaker services and transportation.
In addition to the state programs mentioned above, those looking for resources to finance memory care may consider:
In Kansas, dementia care units are not licensed separately from assisted living facilities. Instead, assisted living facilities are permitted to serve residents with special needs if they meet certain criteria. These facilities are licensed by the Secretary of Aging and Disability Services.
Memory care facilities are required to accommodate the care needs and services that are outlined in the resident’s service plan, which was created at the time of admission. Services generally include daily meals, health care services, group and individual activities, housekeeping and personalized health and safety support.
Memory care facilities in Kansas can house seniors with a wide range of abilities and care needs, but not everyone is a candidate for this level of care. The following table outlines residents who may and may not be admitted.
Residents Who May Be Admitted | Older adults and people who:
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Residents Who May NOT Be Admitted | Those who:
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Prior to admission, a licensed nurse of the memory care facility’s administrator must conduct a screening and assessment of the prospective resident to evaluate the individual’s health care needs and functional capacity. Based on this assessment, the facility works with the individual and their family members or a legal representative, such as a case manager, to develop a service plan. If the resident needs health care services, their service plan must be developed by a licensed nurse.
Service plans must describe the services provided, the individual or organization that is to provide the services and who is responsible for ensuring payment when the services are provided by a third party. They must be reviewed on an annual basis or when requested by any of the participating parties. If a nutritionist is needed to assist the resident with eating, the care plan must be reviewed quarterly.
A resident may self-administer their medications if a licensed nurse has evaluated and confirmed that they are able to do so. If the resident is unable to self-administer their medications, a licensed nurse or medication aide must administer them. Medication aides are not permitted to administer subcutaneous or intravenous medications.
A licensed pharmacist must review each resident’s medication regimen on a quarterly basis or when the resident’s condition changes significantly. This service is required for residents whose medication regimen is managed by the facility, and it must be offered to residents who self-administer all of their medications.
In memory care units that are in assisted living facilities, individual units must be apartment-style and have a living area, a storage area, a full and accessible bathroom, a kitchen with appliances, a lockable door and an operable window. Memory care units in residential health care facilities are not required to have kitchens, but they must have a private bathroom with a tub or a shower. Additionally, the facility’s exits must be controlled in the least restrictive manner possible.
All memory care facilities in Kansas must have an administrator, a full-time operator and a 24-hour awake staff. There must also be a registered nurse available to supervise the facility’s licensed practical nurses. There are no minimum staffing ratios, but facilities are required to have enough direct care staff members available at all times to provide each resident with the services and care outlined in their service plan.
Memory care facilities must also provide their staff members with in-service education on how to treat the behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
Services provided in memory care facilities are covered under 1915(c) Home and Community-Based Services Medicaid waivers, including the FE Waiver.
If resident abuse, neglect or exploitation is suspected, the concerned party should inform the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services elder abuse hotline by calling 1-800-842-0078. If a facility’s practices are suspected to violate the Secretary of Aging and Disability Services’ statutes and regulations, a report should be made to the state’s Adult Protective Services office by calling 785-296-4653 or to the Kansas Long-Term Care Ombudsman office by calling 1-877-662-8362.
Resource | Contact | Description |
Kansas Aging and Disability Resource Center | 855-200-2372 | The state’s ADRC operates 11 Area Agencies on Aging and provides guidance and informational resources for caregivers, families and seniors living with Alzheimer’s disease. |
Kansas Advocates for Better Care | 785-842-3088 | KABC is a non-profit organization that advocates for quality long-term care on behalf of residents in assisted living facilities. |
Alzheimer’s Association Central and Western Kansas Chapter | 800-272-3900 | The Central and Western Kansas Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association serves as a premier source of support and information for seniors and families who have been affected by Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. It operates a 24-hour helpline and virtual support groups and education programs. |