The 5 Best Assisted Living Communities in Kansas City, Kansas
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If you’re considering assisted living, there’s no place like Lawrence, KS, to take this major life leap; the city has a welcoming ambiance that’s unmistakably Midwestern. A quintessential college town situated between Kansas City and Topeka, Lawrence is home to charming shops, restaurants and attractions, with an affordable cost of living and a sizable population of retirees. An estimated 11.6% of residents are 65 and older, making socialization easy at any age. In addition, Lawrence has earned a reputation as one of the best small towns to retire in America by HGTV. Not only is it pedestrian and bike friendly, but affordable housing, lack of estate taxes and lively arts and culture make Lawrence a lovely place to call home.
Assisted living is an excellent option for seniors who can no longer reside independently. A great way to stay involved in local life while receiving support with everyday tasks, such as bathing, dressing and managing medications, these top-rated communities offer something for everyone. According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, seniors in Lawrence, KS pay an estimated $4,538 for assisted living every month, which is on par with the national average of $4,500. If you’re considering this small town for your own retirement, this is a figure to keep in mind.
Designed for seniors who want to maintain active lifestyles, today’s assisted living communities combine state-of-the-art amenities with vibrant social calendars and around-the-clock care tailored to residents’ needs and interests. We’ve narrowed down the best assisted living communities in Lawrence to help simplify your long-term care search.
Monterey Village Senior Living – Best Continuing Care Community
Pioneer Ridge Assisted Living – Best Medium-Sized Community
Lawrence Presbyterian Manor – Best Faith-Based Community
Brandon Woods at Alvamar – Best Ambiance
The Windsor of Lawrence – Best Location
Monterey Village Senior Living - Best Continuing Care Community
Key Features:
Offers independent living, assisted living and memory care
Diverse activity schedule
Flexible meal offerings
Located in a peaceful residential neighborhood, Monterey Village Senior Living offers a full spectrum of care for older adults. Experienced caregivers lend a hand 24 hours a day, including helping with bathing, dressing and medication management. A maintenance-free lifestyle ensures that you can relax without the stress of cooking, cleaning or laundry.
At Monterey Village, you enjoy access to a robust schedule of life-enrichment activities, including pet therapy, chair exercises, Bible studies and movie nights. Fresh, made-to-order meals are served daily in the community dining room, and the “always available” menu features an impressive selection. Reviewers compliment the community’s easy-to-navigate layout, compassionate staff members, social ambiance and diverse selection of activities.
What Residents Are Saying
Visiting family members value the compassionate caregivers. “The staff is top-notch. They are caring and very willing to listen to us with our concerns,” says one relative. “They seem very professional and willing to do whatever they need to for the best care for my parents.” Other reviewers echo that sentiment, with one adding, “It’s a beautiful and lovely place, super clean dining area, easy for our mom to access, [and] awesome and kind nurses, administrators and staff who have been phenomenal.”
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Pioneer Ridge Assisted Living - Best Medium-Sized Community
Key Features:
Convenient central location
Nurse on call
Three home-cooked meals daily
This 60-bed community is the ideal middle ground between small homes and expansive assisted living. If you want to receive discrete support with personal tasks such as bathing, getting dressed and managing medications, a team of certified staff members is available to help. Diabetic care and incontinence management are also available. Licensed nurses are on call 24/7 to meet your health needs, and the around-the-clock emergency communication system puts you in rapid contact with staff.
Each day, you can enjoy three meals prepared fresh from scratch. An active calendar includes options for learning, exploring your hobbies and connecting with peers. Reviewers frequently compliment the helpful and professional staff.
What Residents Are Saying
Current residents compliment the dedicated team. “The staff there was exceptional. They acted like they cared about you,” says one reviewer. “They knew each patient by name and would visit with you and talk to you as they were working. It was just a very delightful situation to be in.”
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Lawrence Presbyterian Manor - Best Faith-Based Community
Key Features:
Continuing care community
Spiritual values and programming
Wide range of activities and event options
If you’re seeking a faith-based community that honors your values, consider Lawrence Presbyterian Manor. This continuing care community offers a full spectrum of support, so you can remain on campus as your needs change. Seniors can enjoy an active lifestyle filled with spiritual programming, cultural opportunities, educational lessons and day trips.
Scheduled transportation helps you stay active, with convenient shopping and dining venues located within minutes. Useful amenities include a chapel with worship services, a bumper pool table and an ice cream machine. Seniors also have use of a library, fitness center and arts and crafts room. Reviewers appreciate the community’s faith-based approach to care, vibrant programming, weekly chapel services and lively atmosphere.
What Residents Are Saying
Residents love the cleanliness and caring staff. One reviewer says of her husband’s experience, “I would describe it as very clean ... they gave him excellent care. The people who worked with him were outstanding, they were compassionate, and I have nothing bad to say about the place.”
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Brandon Woods at Alvamar - Best Ambiance
Key Features:
Lush 30-acre property
Heated indoor pool
Restaurant-quality dining
Nestled within a lush 30-acre campus, Brandon Woods at Alvamar offers senior care in a striking setting. Three restaurant-style meal choices are served daily, and you’ll have access to a 24/7 front desk concierge, nursing staff and medical resources tailored to your needs. Staff encourages residents to stay engaged through trips to cultural attractions, happy hours, community events and watch parties.
Amenities include a fitness center, beauty salon/barbershop and an agility gym that offers speech, physical and occupational therapies. Reviewers enjoy the wide range of on-site activities, including music on Fridays and exercise classes.
What Residents Are Saying
Residents highlight both the staff and activities. “Wonderful staff! They interact with all their residents. When Mom’s alert button battery gets low, they show up at her room to replace [it]. They check to make sure her door is locked at night. She has so many activities to choose from! I ate several meals with her ... Facility is clean and well maintained.”
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The Windsor of Lawrence - Best Location
Key Features:
Central location
Intentional design features
On-site salon and spa
The Windsor at Lawrence is conveniently located between Kansas City and Topeka, putting you close to the state’s biggest cities. Care is highly personalized, with staff tailoring service plans around every resident’s distinct needs and preferences 24/7. Every feature within the community was designed to maximize independence and decrease falls, from intentional color selections to non-glare lighting and low-pile carpet.
Programs, trips and activities are scheduled throughout the week, and you’ll access upscale amenities including a bistro, enclosed courtyard, salon and spa. Reviewers appreciate the attentive staff and personalized care, as well as the close-knit ambiance where everyone knows everyone.
What Residents Are Saying
Visitors appreciate the welcoming ambiance. One reviewer says, “ ... the place was spotlessly clean. The air was fresh and smelled good. All of the clients were well-groomed, and looked content and happy. We toured the facility and were impressed with the layout, and the relationship between the staff and clients ... The overall energy was positive and caring.”
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The Bottom Line
If you want to experience the best that Lawrence has to offer while receiving assistance with your daily routine, consider giving one of these assisted living communities a go. Not only are they conveniently located for easy access to city amenities, but they also offer everything from indoor swimming pools and spas to active social calendars and engaging on-site events.
Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a decade of experience working in and writing about health care, the last five of which she has focused on senior health and senior living. Before joining Caring.com, Rachel worked with websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, MedicareGuide.com, and BetterHelp.com. She studied health science as an undergraduate at Boston University and continued her education in health communication at BU in 2019. She can be reached at editorial@caring.com.
