Senior Living Apartments in Wichita, KS

Since senior apartments don’t provide care, they are viewed as general housing and not senior care facilities. For this reason, rent in senior apartment communities isn’t covered by long-term health care insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare. However, these resources can help with medical costs to offset the burden of paying for rent for senior apartments. In the following sections, we’ll cover different types of payment options available to seniors, including private methods, VA benefits, Medicaid, Medicare, and public assistance.

Under Kansas law, senior apartments are not typically licensed or inspected by the state. The reason? They’re not senior care facilities — which do require inspection. However, senior apartments still need to comply with rental and housing laws.

Disability and discrimination laws

There are several laws that ensure equal housing opportunities for all. The Fair Housing Act (FHA) states that senior apartments cannot refuse a new resident based on their race, gender, religious beliefs, national origin, disability, familial status, or age. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ensures that the apartments have accessibility features for those with disabilities, such as wheelchair ramps and accessible doorways and bathrooms. Kansas Service Animal Laws also permit service pets to stay with seniors, even if their apartment complex has a no-pet policy.

Maintenance and safety laws

Although senior apartments aren’t strictly monitored by authorities, they must still provide a safe and habitable environment for residents. Everything must be well-maintained, including the grounds, buildings, plumbing, heating, and electricity systems. In particular, senior apartments must comply with the Title 20 of the Wichita local code, which outlines the housing codes of the city’s residential properties. If the owner of the building accepts HUD vouchers, they must also comply with HUD laws and regulations.

Inspection reports and renter’s guides

Safety inspections are sometimes performed by local housing authorities. When and where depends on a particular apartment complex and applicable regulations. Although the inspection reports aren’t available via the local housing authority, some could be available from the management of the apartment complex in question upon request.

Kansas doesn’t have a renter’s guide, but there are two important resources you can use instead. The Kansas Housing Resources Corporation provides plenty of information for renters. The Kansas Residential Landlord and Tenant Act also outline all your rights and responsibilities as a renter in Kansas.

People who want to live in senior apartments must be 55 or older, some other requirements may be related to income and credit checks, criminal background checks, and rental history checks.

Kansas Department of Health contact information

Kansas Department of Health & Environment
1000 SW Jackson St.
Topeka, KS 66612
Phone: 785-296-1500
Hours: Monday though Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

COVID-19 regulations for Wichita, KS senior apartments communities

While there are no COVID-19 regulations that are specific to Wichita senior apartment communities, the city does provide residents with suggestions on how to stay safe. If you have a particular apartment complex in mind, it might be prudent to contact them to find out what their own COVID-19 rules for residents are.

Retiring to Wichita is guaranteed to keep you engaged with the local vibe. This city is not only packed with a rich variety of attractions and activities, but senior apartments in Wichita are also designed to comfortably accommodate those who are 55 and older. In this section, we’ll take a closer look at these communities and what they have to offer.

A Seamless aging experience

Senior apartments in Wichita aim to enrich the lives of residents, especially those with accessibility needs. Some offer ground-floor apartments for accessibility, wheelchair access, and even assisted living options. Some apartment complexes might also offer laundry and grocery shopping services to seniors.

Amenities and common rooms offer generous perks

Although availability can vary from complex to complex, you can expect a surprising variety of services and activities. These include access to libraries, common rooms, game rooms, theater rooms, and salons. Activities are commonly geared toward a fun, social experience and can include parties, picnics, outings, gardening, live music or theater, art or gardening classes, and devotional activities.

Convenient apartment designs

Senior apartments in Wichita are designed with comfort in mind. Units are also commonly air conditioned to deal with Wichita’s hot, humid summers, and in some places, residents are allowed to keep pets and provided with their own parking space.

According to WalkScore, Wichita is a car-dependent city. With a walk score of 35 out of 100 (the higher the score, the easier you can walk around any given address), seniors will require a car or another form of transport to run errands in Wichita.

Public transportation is somewhat limited, but seniors have options, like Wichita Public Transit. Standard fare is $1.75, but there is a Veterans Ride Free Program. The city’s fixed route buses are also ADA compliant, but for residents who have more intense physical or mental challenges, Wichita offers a fleet of shuttles called Paratransit.

There are a few private services and taxi options. It’s also worth enquiring about transportation options at senior apartment complexes themselves, as some offer transportation services to their residents.

Wichita offers a particularly vibrant culture to its residents, especially those who are looking for entertainment, outings, and good food. Right outside of Wichita is an immensely popular destination: the Kansas Star Casino. Here, seniors can try their luck with the jackpot, stay over at luxury accommodations, and dine their way through different cuisines.

If you love to explore, then Wichita has a unique blend of opportunities for every mood. Feeling a bit nostalgic about the past? Hit the huge variety of specialty museums in the city, many of which offer senior discounts on specific days, such as the Museum of World Treasures. Adventurous seniors can tackle any number of self-guided tours or scavenger hunts that are uniquely themed —  just to give you an idea, there are zombies, seasonal quests, and totally wacky tours!

When a slow day strikes and you just want to take it easy, why not stroll through Wichita’s gorgeous zoo or botanical garden, both of which are filled with thousands of species of flora and fauna. There are also five golf courses sprinkled throughout the city to test your swing score, and if you don’t feel like walking the greens, there are plenty of stunning hiking trails, such as the Prairie Sunset Trail, to keep fit and get out in nature more.

Wichita is also known for its amazing theaters and live shows. From small to large, these theaters provide great entertainment through live performances, music, and more. When you need to catch a break and fill up on some lunch, you’ll soon discover that Wichita has a seemingly endless panorama of restaurants that offer every delicious snack and cuisine imaginable.

There are also many senior programs and centers that add a unique flavor to Wichita’s wild side. NorthEast Senior Center loves large potlucks, Mardi Gras, dancing, and recreational programs. Linwood Senior Center always has coffee available and celebrates with everything from Halloween balls to Hawaiian luaus. Downtown Senior Center offers sports, yoga, employment, foot care, and parties. Orchard Park Senior Center is small but has tons of spirit, rallying to give to the less fortunate every Christmas, and members dine out every month or visit the theater together.