Transforming Lives Through Quality Long-Term Care

Welcome to Kansas Advocates for Better Care, where we dedicate ourselves to advocating for quality long-term care! We envision a Kansas where all older adults enjoy excellent quality of life, no matter where they choose to live. 

Making Elder Care Better in Kansas Since 1975

Transforming Lives Through Quality Long-Term Care

Welcome to Kansas Advocates for Better Care, where we dedicate ourselves to advocating for quality long-term care! We envision a Kansas where all older adults enjoy excellent quality of life, no matter where they choose to live. 

Making Elder Care Better in Kansas Since 1975

Most people try not to think about nursing homes, that's why we think about them every day.

a woman is sitting at a table holding a cup of coffee and smiling .

Legislative Advocacy

KABC staff and volunteers advocate with state policy makers for policies that will improve long-term care for older adults. Because everyone has the right to receive quality care.

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Training & Resources

Learn how to identify safe, quality care for older adults. We provide essential resources to help you learn more about long-term care and how best to support your loved ones. 

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Guidance & Empowerment

Are you or a loved-one in need of a long-term care facility?  We have Consumer Information Reports to help you make an informed decision.  Our knowledgeable staff will talk with you one-on-one and provide you with the guidance you need.

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How KABC can help

Quarterly newsletter

Stay up to date on KABC activities and inspection trends of Kansas long-term care facilities. We'll keep you updated on need-to-know information about your area.

Consumer information reports

Get the most up to date information on how facilities in your area are performing. Make informed decisions with direct comparisons and facts.

Elder care booklets

Elder care booklets provide essential guidance and practical advice in addressing the unique challenges and considerations needed to ensure the well-being of older adults.

More about us

“Those in the nursing home industry have a responsibility to do better than simply operate profitable body warehouses for the aged.”

- Governor Bennett- 1977

Older woman being pushed in a wheel chair through the park by her smiling daughter

How KABC can help

an orange envelope with a piece of paper in it .

Quarterly newsletter

Stay up to date on KABC activities and inspection trends of Kansas long-term care facilities. We'll keep you updated on need-to-know information about your area.

a doctor is talking to an elderly woman in a wheelchair .

Consumer information reports

Get the most up to date information on how facilities in your area are performing. Make informed decisions with direct comparisons and facts.

a man and a woman are standing in front of a chart .

Elder care booklets

Elder care booklets provide essential guidance and practical advice in addressing the unique challenges and considerations needed to ensure the well-being of older adults.

More about us

Our History

Inception and Advocacy (1966-1976)

In 1966, Anna "Petey" Cerf's encounter with a neglected nursing home resident inspired the creation of Kansans for Improvement of Nursing Homes (KINH). KINH officially launched in October 1975, prioritizing consumer voices over industry influence.

Committee on Monitoring and Legislative Impact (1976-1978)

In 1976, KINH's Committee found issues at 26 nursing homes, leading to incorporation as a 501(c)(3) on November 4. Momentum grew with the 1977 Consumer Conference, prompting Governor Bennett to take action, resulting in major Kansas nursing home legislation in 1978.

Evolution and Enduring Mission (1978-Present)

While our organization has evolved over the years, including our name to Kansas Advocates for Better Care (KABC) in 1996, our mission has remained unchanged, to advocate for the fundamental right to be treated with dignity, respect, and receive quality long-term care. 

Read our full history
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Get Involved in the Cause

With your generosity and commitment, KABC continues the path that Petey Cerf set, striving for quality long-term care for older Kansans. Join KABC, volunteer your time, or donate today.

an elderly man in an apron is standing in a doorway .

Get involved in the cause

With your generosity and commitment, KABC continues the path that Petey Cerf set, striving for quality long-term care for older Kansans. Join KABC, volunteer your time, or donate today.

By Libby Hastings 10 Jul, 2024
In a recent podcast episode and article with the Kansas Reflector, Dan Goodman, Executive Director, and Libby Hastings, Communication and Public Relations Coordinator, shed light on the critical issues facing nursing facilities in Kansas. Interviewed by Tim Carpenter, they discussed the alarming findings from the Long Term Care Community Coalition's latest data regarding "problem facilities" and the federal staffing mandate from U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. This conversation was based on the insights shared in our July e-newsletter Advocacy in Action article and has garnered significant attention. Media outlets and local newspapers in Hays, Dodge City, Ottawa, and Wichita have picked up the Kansas Reflector story, amplifying the urgent need for reform in long-term care. At KABC, we remain steadfast in our mission to ensure quality long-term care for all Kansas residents. We invite you to read our article with Tim Carpenter and listen to the podcast episode. Your support and engagement are crucial as we continue to fight for improved care standards. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our supporters and the media for helping us share the harsh realities of nursing homes. Together, we can drive the change needed to ensure safe, dignified, and quality care for all residents in Kansas.
By Libby Hastings 05 Jul, 2024
The Long-Term Care Community Coalition (LTCCC) recently released alarming data on the state of nursing facilities across the United States, revealing that nearly one in four nursing homes (24.6%) qualify as "problem facilities." This term encompasses nursing homes that have received a one-star rating on the federal Five-Star Quality Rating System , are part of the Special Focus Facility (SFF) Program or are SFF candidates. These facilities are notable for their substandard care and persistent compliance issues.  National and Kansas-Specific Findings  The data paints a concerning picture of nursing facility care quality nationwide, and Kansas is notably worse than the national average. According to LTCCC's data, out of the 306 nursing facilities in Kansas, 25.2% are classified as "problem facilities", 59.8% of nursing facilities in Kansas are for-profit, and 75% of "problem facilities" in Kansas are for-profit.  The Five-Star Quality Rating System  The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) utilizes the Five-Star Quality Rating System to aid consumers in comparing nursing homes. This system rates facilities on a scale from one to five stars, with five-star ratings indicating superior care and one-star ratings flagging the poorest quality. The effectiveness and accuracy of the CMS Five-Star Quality Rating System has been debated among long-term care advocates, residents, and their families. A star rating is composed of three parts: outcomes from the state inspection report, staffing, and quality measures.  For-Profit Facilities and Quality Concerns  The LTCCC report highlights a troubling correlation between for-profit status and lower-quality care. A federal government study , released in November 2023, concluded that for-profit nursing facilities tend to have lower quality ratings, fewer registered nurses, and more safety violations, prompting one to wonder if for-profit facilities prioritize financial returns over patient care. A February 2021 study from the National Bureau of Economic Research found that going to a facility owned by a private equity firm increased the chance that a resident would die by 10%, compared with living in another type of facility.  The Special Focus Facility Program  The SFF Program targets nursing facilities with a history of serious quality issues. Facilities are identified based on their performance over the last three standard health survey cycles and three years of complaint surveys. Points are assigned for deficiencies cited during inspections, with higher points given for more severe violations. Those facilities with the highest points become SFF candidates, marking them as requiring significant improvement. The methodology behind the SFF Program is the same as that used for health inspections within the Five-Star Quality Rating System. This rigorous approach ensures that only those facilities with the most concerning track records are selected for intensified oversight.  Implications for Consumers  The LTCCC's findings and data serve as a crucial reminder for consumers to be vigilant when selecting nursing facilities. The prevalence of "problem facilities", especially among for-profit institutions, underscores the importance of thorough research and consideration of a facility's rating and compliance history.  As always, if you would like Consumer Information Reports about any licensed long-term care facility in Kansas, feel free to call or email . There is never a charge for any of our materials.  At KABC, we will continue to advocate for increased staffing, quality care, and financial transparency within for-profit nursing facilities.
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