What Are My Long-Term Care Housing Options?

Libby Hastings • July 17, 2024

Navigating long-term care housing options can be a bit overwhelming, but understanding your choices can make it much easier to find the right fit for you or your loved one. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common options available:


Independent Living


Independent living is perfect for those who want to maintain their independence but still enjoy a community setting with various amenities and services. These communities offer a range of housing options like apartments, duplexes, and condominiums. Payment options include private pay and subsidized arrangements through programs like HUD.


Each independent living community offers different services and activities, so it's essential to explore and find one that matches your lifestyle. Be prepared for an application process and possible waitlisting. Note that independent living communities are not regulated or licensed by the state, so do your due diligence when researching.


Homes Plus


Homes Plus are smaller residences or facilities that cater to no more than 12 individuals. This option is ideal for those who need personal care and supervised nursing care to help with daily living activities. While these facilities are not federally regulated, they are licensed by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services.


Assisted Living/Residential Health Care Facilities


Assisted living and residential health care facilities (RHCFs) offer a residential care setting for older adults who want their own living space but may need help with daily activities such as dressing, bathing, eating, and toileting. The main difference between the two is that RHCFs do not offer kitchenettes in individual rooms. Both types of facilities are licensed by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services but are not federally regulated.


Nursing Facilities

For individuals who need 24-hour care and can no longer live independently, nursing facilities provide comprehensive care. These facilities are suitable for those requiring extended post-operative care, complex medical monitoring, and rehabilitative care. Nursing facilities are licensed and regulated by state governments, with additional federal regulations for those licensed by Medicaid/Medicare.



Choosing the right long-term care housing option depends on individual needs and preferences. It’s important to consider the level of care required, desired amenities, and the regulatory standards of the facility. Exploring these options can ensure a comfortable and supportive living environment for you or your loved one. KABC also offers free consumer information reports for all licensed adult care facilities. To learn more, visit www.kabc.org/consumer-information-reports

Advocacy in Action (April 2025): Legislative Recap

April 2, 2025
As we move further into 2025, we want to share an update on our legislative advocacy efforts this session. KABC remains committed to championing policies that protect and support older adults and individuals in long-term care. Here’s a look at key legislative developments and where things stand:
A woman is being pushed in a wheelchair.

Opinion Piece from Dave Ranney, KABC Board Member

By Dave Ranney • April 1, 2025
Opinion piece from Dave Ranney, current KABC Board Member and retired newspaper reporter: In a recent Kansas News Service story on Sen. Roger Marshall’s appearance at a town hall meeting in Oakley, Kansas, (pop. 1,982), a board member with the local nursing home said he’d hoped to hear about issues “…affecting nursing homes right now. Rural hospitals are hurting but all people wanted to do was scream at the senator.” The board member’s concerns are valid and deeply troubling. Cuts in Medicaid spending will be devastating. Medicaid is the backbone of long-term care in Kansas; 57 percent of the state’s nursing home residents rely on Medicaid for their care. These are frail elders whose estates have been depleted. They have no money. Medicaid reimbursement rates are, at best, break-even. They’re not ‘profit centers.’ Even a small reduction in rates will push many rural facilities to the brink of closure. Quality of care, too, is sure to suffer. Medicare, unfortunately, does not cover nursing home care. Rural families will be left with no choice but to move their loved ones far from home to receive the care they need and deserve. Already, eight of the state’s 105 counites are without a nursing home; at least 40 have only one. National surveys have found that a fourth of the nursing homes in Kansas are providing sub-standard care, usually due to inadequate staffing. Recruiting and retaining nurses and healthcare staff in small towns is critical. The board member would do well to consider what’ll happen when DOGE figures out that Medicaid is paying for care that often falls short of federal standard. Lawmakers on both the state and national levels have a responsibility to ensure stable Medicaid funding to keep existing facilities open while, at the same time, investing in community-based services that offer lower-cost, in-home care options that allow people to remain in their communities. Sincerely, Dave Ranney Dave Ranney is a retired newspaper reporter, he lives in Lawrence, Kansas.