52 Assisted Living Communities in Johnson County, Kansas

The average cost of assisted living in the county is $5,300 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the county, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 52 Assisted Living Communities in Johnson County and 30 in surrounding areas.

• Assisted living: $5,300
• Nursing home semiprivate room: $5,658
• In-home care: $3,623
• Adult day health services: $2,302

According to the Genworth 2018 Cost of Care Study, assisted living in Johnson County is more expensive than the national average, which is $4,000, and the state average, which is $4,556. The monthly average cost of assisted living in Johnson County is higher than any major city in the state as well as major cities in the neighboring states of Missouri (Kansas City, $4,050) and Colorado (Fort Collins, $3,950). The least expensive senior care in Kansas is in smaller towns and cities throughout the rest of the state, where the average cost is only $3,950 per month.

Note: Specific senior cost care data isn’t available for Johnson County. Data for the closest major city, Topeka, has been used instead.

The type of senior care is generally the biggest factor in determining cost. In Johnson County, the average monthly cost of assisted living is more than $1,500 higher than the average cost of in-home care. However, when including other costs associated with staying in the home, such as rent, utilities and groceries — all of which are typically included in the cost of assisted living — the cost of continuing to live at home becomes considerably higher. When comparing nursing home care to assisted living costs, the difference is much less, with nursing home care only $358 more per month for a semiprivate room. Cost of Homemaker/Home Health Aide Comparison Chart

• Assisted living: $5,300

• Homemaker services: $3,623

• Home health aide: $3,909

• Adult day health: $2,302

• Nursing home care (semiprivate room): $5,658

In Kansas, the state Medicaid program is called KanCare. It provides low-income residents with low- or no-cost access to necessary health care, including doctors visits, dental care, prescription medications, hospital treatments, laboratory tests and other treatments or therapies. KanCare programs are administered by the state of Kansas and must adhere to parameters set forth by the federal government. 

Seniors who reside in assisted living facilities may be eligible for financial assistance under the state KanCare program, which covers up to $2,250 per month for nursing care costs, provided they are receiving a higher level of services and require a nursing level of care. 

To qualify for KanCare, applicants with incomes less than $62 per month are eligible to have the full cost of health care services covered by the state while those with higher incomes may receive subsidized care. KanCare has spend-down provisions for participants that allow them to use their income to pay for medical expenses first and report the remainder of their cash to KanCare to increase their coverage. Asset limitations state that applicants may not own more than $2,000 in countable assets. 

To apply for KanCare, seniors can call (800) 792-4884. 

Home and Community-Based Services Frail Elderly Waiver

The HCBS Frail Elderly Waiver provides seniors who require a nursing level of care with supportive services that include assisted living/personal care services, dental hygiene care, medication reminders, nurse visits and financial management services. The program’s mandate is to decrease the number of seniors residing in nursing care facilities by providing additional services to those living at home or in assisted living facilities. 

To be eligible for the Frail Elderly Waiver, seniors must be aged 65 or older and their income must be less than $747 per month. They must undergo a comprehensive care assessment to determine their level of need and must meet the financial eligibility requirements for KanCare. 

To apply for this waiver, seniors can call (855) 200-2372.

Kansas Optional State Supplement

Kansas provides those in long-term care who receive Supplemental Security Income with a state supplement. This cash benefit can help pay for costs that aren’t covered by KanCare, such as room and board. The state determines the payout amount based on the applicant’s living arrangement and income. 

To be eligible for OSS, seniors must be 65 years of age or older and receiving SSI.

To apply for the benefit, seniors can visit the Lenexa Social Security Office at 1537 95th Street in Lexena, Kansas, or call (800) 772-1213.

Elderlife Financial Loans

Elderlife provides seniors with an alternative payment option when they’re ineligible for state financial assistance. An Elderlife bridge loan is paid directly to the senior’s place of residence and repaid by the senior in monthly installments. Elderlife loans are available at low interest rates and flexible terms. 

Qualifying for a loan requires a good credit history and enough income to cover the monthly payments. Seniors who are unable to qualify on their own may apply with up to six cosigners, which may increase the chances of approval and reduce monthly payments. 

Seniors can apply for an Elderlife loan online or call (888) 228-4500.

Life Insurance Policy Conversion/Life Insurance Cash-In

Seniors with life insurance policies can convert their policy into cash to pay for assisted living. When converting a life insurance policy, seniors typically receive between 20 and 40 percent of the policy’s face value in cash to pay for their long-term care while the remainder transfers to beneficiaries at the end of life.

Alternatively, seniors can cash their policy in full. There is usually a small financial penalty, and after it’s cashed, the policy is considered null and void. 

Area Agencies on Aging provide senior citizens with a variety of services such as benefits administration and case management, referral services, nutrition services and insurance counseling.  Johnson County Area Agency
11811 South Sunset Drive Suite 1300, Olathe, KS 66061
(913) 715-8800

Seniors who have served in the U.S. military may be eligible for a variety of financial support and services from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, including free health care services at Veterans Affairs Clinics. 

Veterans Commission of Kansas
100 South 20th Street, Kansas City, KS 66102
(913) 371-5968

Johnson County VA Clinic
10500 Mastin Street, Overland Park, KS 66212
(816) 922-2750

Senior Homes has an extensive directory of senior living options, with care and living providers across the United States.