I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Kansas City, MO
Best known for its Kansas City-style barbecue, Kansas City jazz and a host of other vibrant cultural attractions, the City of Fountains is a haven for retirees who enjoy celebrating rich traditions. Missouri’s largest city is home to over 65,000 Kansas Citians aged 65 and older, about 13% of the city’s population. These older residents benefit from KCMO’s low cost of living, a wide range of senior resources, and state-of-the-art medical facilities. The University of Kansas Hospital is nationally ranked for multiple specialties including geriatrics, while Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City excels in cardiology and heart surgery.
Kansas City actively supports local efforts in building KC Communities for All Ages. This age-friendly initiative recognizes the idea that meeting the needs of older adults enhances the overall quality of life in their communities. Aside from the city’s many senior centers and Active Aging programs, a large network of organizations across multi-county KCMO provides a comprehensive range of supportive programs for homebound seniors and their caregivers. It focuses on preventive care, caregiver support, housing improvements, mobility options and public education, in addition to publicly funded in-home services.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Kansas City, MO
The costs of home care and home health care in Kansas City are similar at $4,576 per month, based on the Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey. In most cases, home health care costs are higher than home care because it typically includes licensed skilled services such as medication administration, nursing support and rehabilitative therapies.
Kansas City’s average in-home care costs are based on a 44-hour fixed weekly schedule, around six hours a day, seven days a week. In Kansas City, the average hourly rate is $24.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
Throughout Missouri, Kansas City is among the most expensive areas for in-home care. Its average monthly cost of $4,576 is more than $200 higher than the state average, but it’s comparable to national figures. A more affordable option in Northwest Missouri is St. Joseph with home care costs of $4,338, roughly $200 less than Kansas City. Areas in neighboring Kansas are even cheaper, with Lawrence saving KCMO seniors nearly $600 at $4,004 per month and Topeka saving them nearly $500.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
In-home care in Kansas City is about $100 more expensive than assisted living, which already covers board and care at $4,460 per month. Nursing home care is expected to cost significantly higher at $6,844 for semiprivate room stays with 24-hour skilled care services. The most affordable senior care option is adult day care at $1,625 per month, suitable for those who are able to receive limited support outside the home.
III. How to Find Home Care in Kansas City, MO
Finding a home care provider for yourself or a loved one can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Below, we explain the process of how to find a home care provider in 5 simple steps. Use the infographic below to help guide your search for in-home care in Kansas City, MO.
Remember that there’s not necessarily a right or wrong choice – it comes down to choosing a provider that you feel comfortable with and who’s capable of meeting your specific needs. No matter which provider you choose, you should always have a formal arrangement with your expectations and the payment rate in writing. Doing so will prevent confusion or potential disagreements down the line so that the focus remains on helping the person receiving care.
IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in Kansas City, MO
MARC Aging and Adult Services
What You Should Know
The Department of Aging and Adult Services of the Mid-America Regional Council is the Area Agency on Aging for multi-county Kansas City, carrying a mission to promote the resilience of older adults and their caregivers. Through its Managed Services Network, this agency coordinates community-based services that benefit at-risk seniors. These services may include community care management, in-home supports, home-delivered meals, medication reconciliation and transportation services, as well as health education and disease prevention programs.
Who Is Eligible?
You’re eligible for MARC’s AAA services if you’re 60 and older and a resident of Kansas City or other areas in Jackson, Clay, Platte, Cass and Ray Counties.
How to Get Started
Take the first step to accessing AAA services by calling the Information and Referral team at (816) 421-4980 or (800) 593-7948. You may also visit your nearest MARC-sponsored Community Center.
Multi-County Senior Services Providers in Kansas City
What You Should Know
Kansas City seniors are served by three county-level senior services agencies, namely KC Shepherd’s Center for Jackson County, Clay County Senior Services and Platte County Senior Fund. Each agency offers services that aim to help seniors remain safe in their homes, and these usually include Meals on Wheels, in-home care or Senior Companion services and various wellness programs. Some of these agencies provide adult day care, home repairs, Medicare counseling, personal safety systems and senior center activities.
Who Is Eligible?
Most programs by these four senior services providers qualify seniors 60 and older. You must also be a resident of Jackson, Clay or Platte County. You’re qualified for Meals on Wheels regardless of income, while eligibility for in-home care and home repairs is income-based.
How to Get Started
For more information about local senior services in Kansas City, you may call KC Shepherd’s Center at (816) 444-1121 for Jackson County, Clay County Senior Services at (816) 455-4800 or Platte County Senior Fund at (816) 270-2800.
Link for Care
What You Should Know
Maintained by the Landon Center on Aging of the University of Kansas Medical Center, Link for Care is a free, comprehensive online directory of service providers that support seniors and caregivers in the Kansas City area. Major service categories in-home services, food and personal goods, health care, financial and legal, transportation and housing. The subcategories for in-home services are nonmedical care, companion care, home maintenance, and emergency alert and tracking. The website’s basic and advanced search options let visitors filter results by location, accepted forms of payment (self-pay, long-term care insurance, Medicaid) and specific types of services.
Who Is Eligible?
Seniors, caregivers, family members and other concerned individuals are welcome to access Link for Care.
How to Get Started
You may start your online search by visiting the Link for Care website. The KCMU Landon Center on Aging may also be contacted at (913) 945-6612.
CAAGKC Weatherization and Healthy Homes Programs
What You Should Know
The Low Income Weatherization Assistance Program (LIWAP) is locally administered by the Community Action Agency of Greater Kansas City, providing free energy-efficient home improvements to help lower utility bills. CAAGKC’s Healthy Homes program aims to eliminate safety hazards in a recipient’s home by carrying out necessary contractor services such as decluttering, pest control, mold removal and installation of grab bars and wheelchair ramps.
Who Is Eligible?
You may qualify for LIWAP if you’re a renter or homeowner with a household income of up to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. The household income limit for Healthy Homes is 125%. Priority for LIWAP may be given to households with elderly, disabled, veteran, Native American or minor members.
How to Get Started
Application forms for LIWAP and Healthy Homes are available online. For more information, you may submit online inquiries using the programs’ respective contact forms, or call CAAGKC at (816) 358-6868.
MLM Minor Home Repair and Senior Commodity Programs
What You Should Know
Metro Lutheran Ministry’s Minor Home Repair program helps seniors live safely at home through safety repair services which may include installation of grab bars, railings, wheelchair ramps and smoke detectors, as well as basic weatherization. MLM also distributes USDA senior commodity boxes to help meet the nutritional needs of aging adults.
Who Is Eligible?
For minor home repairs, you must be an elderly homeowner with a household income at or below 150% of the federal poverty line. You’re eligible to receive monthly senior food boxes if you’re 60 or older.
How to Get Started
Get in touch with a case manager at (816) 285-3133 to avail of minor home repairs, and call (816) 931-0027 to apply for senior food boxes.
Jackson County Senior Quad Payment Program
What You Should Know
The Senior Quad Payment program of Jackson County allows elderly homeowners to pay real estate taxes at four equal installments without any interest or penalty. Installment payment due dates are December 31 of the current tax year, and then February 28, May 31 and August 31 of the succeeding year.
Who Is Eligible?
If you’re aged 62 or older by December 31 of the current tax year and living in a taxable, nondelinquent property in Jackson County, you may apply for this program. Prior to application, all previous taxes on your property must also be paid.
How to Get Started
You may send an email to [email protected] to apply for the Senior Quad Payment Program, or call (816) 881-3232 for more information.