What Is Long-Term Care?

Long-term care encompasses services that help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, eating, mobility, and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), including medication reminders, meal preparation, housekeeping, and transportation. Depending on needs, care can be non-medical, clinical, or a blend of both.

Levels of Care in Wichita

• In-Home Care – Caregivers come to the home for assistance with ADLs, companionship, and household tasks. Flexible scheduling.
• Assisted Living – Community or home-plus setting providing daily support, meals, activities, medication assistance, and safety oversight while maintaining independence.
• Memory Care – Specialized environments and programming for dementia or Alzheimer’s, with enhanced safety and structured routines.
• Nursing Facility – 24/7 skilled nursing for complex medical needs, rehabilitation, and post-acute care after hospital stays.

Many families start with assisted living and add services as needs evolve, or transition to higher levels of care when clinically appropriate.

Typical Costs & Coverage

Costs vary by level of care, apartment type, staffing, and included services. Families commonly use a combination of…

• Private Pay/Savings – The most common approach for assisted living.
• Long-Term Care Insurance – Policies may reimburse eligible services based on benefit triggers and policy terms.
• Veterans’ Benefits – Certain programs may offset costs for eligible veterans and spouses.
• Medicaid – Income/asset-qualified support that may help with some long-term services depending on the program and eligibility.

Medicare generally does not cover room and board for assisted living; it may cover short-term skilled care or rehabilitation after a qualifying hospital stay.

How to Evaluate Providers

• Licensing & Oversight – Verify that the community is appropriately licensed and in good standing.
• Care Model – Ask about staff training, response times, medication management, and personalized plans.
• Environment – Tour the community. Observe cleanliness, safety features, and resident engagement.
• Staff Ratios & Stability – Learn about team tenure and caregiver-to-resident ratios.
• Costs & Contracts – Understand what’s included, how rate changes work, and deposit/refund policies.
• Family Communication – Clarify how updates are shared and who to contact with questions.

Care Planning Tips for Families

• List current needs (ADLs/IADLs) and likely changes over 12–24 months.
• Align budget with preferred setting; explore LTC insurance and veteran options if applicable.
• Request a written service plan and review it quarterly as needs evolve.
• Keep key documents organized: medication lists, physician contacts, and powers of attorney.
• Involve the senior and family early to reduce stress and support smooth transitions.

The Keepsake Kottage Approach

Keepsake Kottage Home Plus offers a licensed, home-like assisted living environment with individualized support. Our model emphasizes dignity, safety, and familiarity, often a better fit than large, institutional settings for many Wichita families.

• Personalized assistance with daily activities
• Medication reminders and coordination
• Nutritious meals and engaging daily routines
• Warm, small-scale setting with attentive staff

Tour or call today: 8428 W 13th St N, Ste 130, Wichita, KS  |  (316) 650-4526

FAQs: Long-Term Care in Wichita