Best Senior Care in Kansas

Sterling Village, the legal name for Agewise Living, operates as a 45-bed skilled nursing facility at 204 W. Washington Avenue in Sterling, Rice County, Kansas. Administrator Karen Smith directs operations for a nonprofit community providing long-term care, memory care, and respite services under Medicare and Medicaid certification. The facility maintains 24/7 medical oversight with licensed nurses managing medication administration and clinical emergencies.

Recent inspection findings exposed serious care gaps.

Two complaint investigations in January 2025 substantiated failures to follow resident care plans; one resident sustained a tibia fracture, another fell due to noncompliance with documented safety protocols. Eight deficiencies were cited, including gaps in medication regimen reviews, the absence of a full-time dietary manager, water management program noncompliance, insufficient staff training, and inadequate monitoring of physician-ordered fluid restrictions. The facility submitted corrective actions in February 2025 and achieved zero deficiencies on its March 19, 2025 follow-up survey.

Seven-year deficiency totals track slightly below the state average, yet more recent compliance data provides only partial reassurance given the nature of the January violations.

Nursing staffing measures 5 hours 2 minutes per resident daily; roughly 7% above Kansas standards.

A full-time certified dietary manager was hired in February 2025 to strengthen nutritional oversight. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, wound care, and specialized monitoring are available. Daily services include three meals, housekeeping, and personal laundry; residents occupy private or semi-private rooms equipped with 24-hour emergency call systems. An activity director organizes therapeutic programming and social engagement.

Occupancy sits at 58% (26 of 45 beds), considerably below the state average of 79.5%.

Quality-of-life measures reveal substantial resident decline patterns: 6.9% experience falls with major injury (58% above state norms), 10.6% of high-risk residents develop pressure ulcers (127% above average), and 27.9% show worsening walking ability (44% above baseline). These outcome measures suggest systemic challenges in care execution despite recent staffing improvements.

The community serves residents in small-town Kansas seeking skilled nursing with active daily programming, suitable for those who prioritize round-the-clock clinical staffing and therapeutic services in a rural setting.

Overview of Parkside Homes

Parkside Homes is a 50-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation community at 200 Willow Road in Hillsboro, Kansas, operated by municipal entity City of Hillsboro in Marion County. Part of a broader campus with independent and assisted living, the facility takes Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, averaging a stay of 265 days.

CMS grades the facility 1 star, 63.9 percent below Kansas’ average, driven by a health inspection sub-rating running 62.4 percent below state mean. Staffing and quality measures both run above Kansas’ average. Across 6 inspections since 2021, the facility totaled 37 citations including 3 critical findings, 233 percent above Kansas’ 0.9 average. A $44,000 federal fine and an 8-day payment denial were issued in October 2024, bringing total fines to $73,000 across three penalties in the past three years. Nurse hours reach 5h 19m per resident daily, 13 percent above Kansas’ average, with CNA hours running 40 percent above state figure. At 58 percent occupancy that’s well below Kansas’ 79.5 percent average and ranked 188th out of 217 state facilities, the community has significant availability.

Services are memory care, rehabilitation, and respite care alongside skilled nursing. An active resident council is present.

Parkside Homes caters to skilled nursing and rehabilitation residents in Hillsboro within a municipally operated community in Marion County.

Recover-Care Richmond is a 60-bed skilled nursing and memory care facility at 340 East South Street in Richmond, Kansas. It’s operated by Richmond SNF Realty LLC in Franklin County. Accepted are Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, with a mix of short-term rehabilitation and long-term care residents and an average stay duration of 177 days.

CMS grades the facility 1 star, 63.9 percent below Kansas’ average, with all four sub-ratings below state mean. Nurse hours reach 3h 15m per resident per day, 31 percent below Kansas’ average and ranked 131st of 141 Kansas skilled nursing facilities. Across 5 inspections since 2021, the facility totaled 39 citations, all moderate in severity, with no critical or serious findings, averaging 11.1 deficiencies annually, 56 percent above Kansas’ average. No fines or payment denials issued in the past three years, and the latest inspection found the facility in full compliance. At 80 percent occupancy, aligned with Kansas’s 79.5 percent average, the facility has some availability.

An active resident council exists.

Recover-Care Richmond caters to skilled nursing and memory care residents in rural Franklin County.

Overview of Diversicare of Haysville

Administrated by Cora Webster, Diversicare of Haysville is an SNF at 215 North Lamar Avenue in Haysville, Kansas. It takes Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, providing families with flexibility when managing the cost and coverage of short-term rehabilitation or longer-term nursing care. Operating for 53 years by Diversicare of Haysville LLC, the facility maintains a 100-bed census with robust occupancy at 84 percent.

The home specializes in rehabilitation services, with programs targeting short-term rehabilitation and complex medical care for occupants healing from acute illness or hospitalization. Daily nursing care averages 3 hours and 6 minutes per resident, with registered nurses and nursing aides on staff to provide attentive support all day. The average stay length is around 148 days, signaling the mix of post-acute rehabilitation residents and those needing continuous skilled nursing. The setting on North Lamar Avenue rates 61 on the Walk Score range, indicating moderate walkability where some errands and amenities are accessible on foot. Still, most visits necessitate a quick drive.

State surveys by the Department for Aging and Disability Services have identified past deficiencies in resident care planning, medication management, food safety, and staffing practices. Diversicare of Haysville has submitted and obtained approval for corrective action plans, and regulatory oversight affirms the facility is now complying with required standards. With no enforcement actions or fines, complaint investigations have been largely unsubstantiated.

The location on North Lamar Avenue, being moderately walkable, makes the facility a pragmatic choice for family members visiting regularly. It likewise helps residents keep some independence for neighborhood-level activities when possible.

Overview of Medicalodges Frontenac

Located in Frontenac, Kansas, Medicalodges Frontenac is a skilled nursing facility that provides short-term rehabilitation and longer-term nursing care. The facility is owned and operated by the City of Frontenac, so its services are community-centered. Medicare and private pay are accepted, offering families multiple ways to cover care costs. The facility’s 45 beds have an occupancy rate of 84%. It maintains a stable census and remains open to new residents.

Most stay an average of 206 days, which includes residents in post-acute rehabilitation and those receiving ongoing nursing care. It specializes in rehabilitation services, but respite care is also available, making it a great choice for patients recovering from surgery, illness, or hospitalization. The facility’s location in Frontenac means it is car-dependent, with a Walk Score of 1. Visitors and residents will need to rely on vehicles for most errands.

The facility has a range of amenities and services. Residents have access to dining, social, and family spaces to have a sense of community and connection. The dining program offers a wide range of menu options, including special dietary preparations. The facility accommodates individual preferences and medical dietary needs. Other amenities include a barbershop/salon, spiritual services, and transportation services for personal care and community activities.

The facility’s state inspections show work on prior concerns related to care planning, medication management, and infection control. Records also show improvement in how those areas were addressed. So far, the facility has made meaningful progress in correcting deficiencies identified in earlier inspections. Families touring Medicalodges Frontenac should ask staff how these operational areas are managed daily.

Overview of Tallgrass Healthcare Campus

Tallgrass Healthcare Campus is a 100-bed continuum of care senior community located on West Ash Street in Junction City, Kansas. Providing independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care, the campus accommodates Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay structures. The nursing care section maintains an average occupancy rate of 81 percent, with residents staying an average of 160 days for both short-term rehabilitation and long-term placement.

The campus is situated in a walkable neighborhood that features a walkability score of 81 out of 100, allowing for foot travel to nearby area points. Direct nursing attention averages 4 hours and 7 minutes per resident each day, provided by a clinical staff of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nursing assistants. Daily operations include 24-hour staffing, on-site physical rehabilitation, restaurant-style dining, and fitness classes.

Physical amenities consist of private patios, courtyard spaces, connected garages, housekeeping, laundry services, and organized transportation. Regarding state regulatory evaluations, past inspections have monitored care documentation, medication systems, and safety compliance, with recent findings verifying zero citations during official reviews.

Older adults and their representatives can contact the campus directly to verify current room openings, discuss specific care transitions, or request information on the scheduled recreational activities.

Pleasant Hills of Hutchinson located in Hutchinson, KS, is an elderly care nursing facility that offers five star rated nursing care in a home like environment. Their all inclusive individualized care provides residents a combination of luxury senior living, and personalized support and assisted healthcare from assistance with daily living activities, to 24/7 supervised nursing care.
Additionally, they provide residents with meals and snacks, 24/7 medical support, on-site security, as well as internet access. Furthermore, they provide residents with everyday conveniences such as local transportation, housekeeping and laundry services, and assistance with taxes.

Overview of Plaza West Healthcare and Rehab Center

Resting gracefully in the heart of Topeka, Kansas, Plaza West Healthcare and Rehab Center has been a pillar of care and support for over 13 years. With a team of remarkable staff members, their unwavering dedication shines through in every aspect of their service. Attending physicians and registered nurses work diligently to create tailored treatment plans that prioritize the well-being of each resident. The center’s commitment to convenience extends to a convenient pharmacy delivery service, ensuring that medication needs are promptly met with efficiency and accuracy.

Plaza West boasts a diverse range of accommodations, including spacious private and semi-private rooms. Thoughtfully designed and well-appointed, these rooms offer residents a comfortable and inviting space to call their own. The center’s common areas exude warmth and provide a welcoming environment for socializing and relaxation, with cozy chairs inviting residents to unwind and engage in meaningful conversations. An activity room brims with exciting opportunities for engagement, offering a variety of enriching programs and recreational activities. In addition, housekeeping and laundry services alleviate any concerns about daily chores, allowing residents to focus on enjoying their time and creating cherished memories.

Overview of Medicalodges Leavenworth

Medicalodges Leavenworth is a 45-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation community located at 1503 Ohio Street in Leavenworth, Kansas. Owned and operated by Medicalodges, Inc., a 100% employee-owned company, the facility serves Leavenworth County and maintains an active license administered by Patrick N. Burke.

As a skilled nursing facility (SNF), the community provides 24-hour clinical nursing and rehabilitation under the federal Medicare and Medicaid framework. While source data for a CMS star rating varies by year, recent 2026 filings for similar affiliated homes show performance levels often trending below Kansas state averages. Based on current focused surveys through 2026, the community has maintained a citations-per-inspection rate of zero in recent infection control standard health filings. Occupancy currently stands at approximately 82%, reflecting a census that has stabilized at 37 occupied beds.

The staffing model provides 3 hours and 56 minutes of total nursing care per resident per day, which is largely consistent with state benchmarks. Direct care is anchored by Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) who provide 2 hours and 54 minutes of daily care (8% above average) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) at 43 minutes daily. While Registered Nurse (RN) coverage currently averages 30 minutes per day, 30% below the Kansas average, the facility coordinates a broad range of specialized services, including short-term rehabilitation, long-term care, and on-site physical and occupational therapies. Weekend nursing coverage remains steady at 3 hours and 42 minutes per resident day.

Residents live in a setting featuring private or semi-private suites equipped with 24-hour emergency response systems and wheelchair-accessible showers. All-inclusive services cover restaurant-style dining with special dietary accommodations, housekeeping, personal laundry, and scheduled medical transportation. Campus amenities include communal gathering areas, outdoor social spaces, and a daily activities calendar designed to promote resident engagement. The property is pet-friendly and maintains secure environmental safety protocols to protect residents with varying levels of cognitive and physical needs.

Those seeking a smaller, employee-owned facility with high CNA and LPN bedside presence may find this community appropriate. Individuals evaluating the home should contact the administrator directly to discuss current staffing schedules, particularly RN and Infection Preventionist coverage, and schedule a tour to assess the 2026 quality measures and safety protocols firsthand.

Overview of Tanglewood Nursing and Rehabilitation

Tanglewood Nursing and Rehabilitation is a skilled nursing facility in Topeka, Kansas. Its location on Southwest 28th Street has a Walkability Score of 78 out of 100, so families can easily visit and run errands nearby. CCP Westwood Manor operates the home, and Christine Kuhn administers it. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, giving families multiple ways to cover short-term rehabilitation and ongoing nursing care.

The 54-bed community has an occupancy rate of 85%. Residents stay an average of 236 days, including those recovering from illness or injury and those requiring longer-term care. Daily nurse staffing averages 3 hours and 7 minutes per resident. Registered nurses provide about 19 minutes, nurse aides contribute 2 hours and 15 minutes, and licensed practical nurses round out the care team with 34 minutes per resident each day.

The home focuses on rehabilitation services to support residents as they recover from surgery, hospitalization, stroke, and other acute health events. The home’s nursing coverage and rehabilitation focus make it a great choice for families seeking post-acute care in a smaller community setting.

State inspections reviewed the home’s performance in the past 14 years. Earlier surveys found concerns with pressure ulcer prevention and treatment, medication management, and infection control. Food sanitation and environmental safety were also noted. The facility has since addressed those deficiencies, and recent inspections confirm that earlier issues have been resolved.

Families evaluating the home can ask staff how these areas are managed daily.