Multiple Senior Living Facilities Means Staying In the Neighborhood
By Kathy Feist
South Kansas City is fortunate to have many senior living facilities in the area. So many choices enable individuals to continue to live or mend in the neighborhood. The following is a synopsis of each facility in the readership area:
Independent and Assisted Living
Brookdale Wornall Place, 501 W 107 St. 816-249-2323. Brookdale Wornall Place offers a swimming pool and hot tub, fitness center, a casual café and formal dining room, and beauty salon. A dedicated card room welcomes the occasional gambler with poker or Bunko tournaments. An art studio is available for crafts, painting and jewelry making. Pets are allowed. Various outings are provided, even to the casinos! Underground parking available to residents.
Homestead Assisted Living, 12720 State Line Rd., Leawood, KS. 913-663-3351. “When you walk through the front door, you get a nice feeling, just a very good vibe,” says executive director Elaine O’Connor of the 37-room facility. The entrance opens up to a rich, wood interior that feels more like an elegant home. Some residents come and go with their own cars. And a short-stay suite is available for seniors who are being cared for by family who may need a break or are going out of town.
Kingswood, 10000 Wornall Rd., 816-942-0001 Kingswood provides independent, assisted, rehabilitative and skilled nursing living. It offers both apartments and homes (villas) with attached garages. The apartment complex is undergoing an extensive renovation (see feature story). Eleven new villas are being added. Other amenities are a Health & Rehabilitation Center, a (soon) updated dining venue and bistro, a performance theater, fitness center and pool.
Senior Star at Villa Ventura, 12100 Wornall Rd., 816-787-0915. Villa Ventura knows how to make its residents a senior star. “Just because you are retired doesn’t mean you have nothing to contribute,” says director Marcia Hines. A resident’s expertise or hobby is often put on display. Outside speakers also give presentations (see feature story). Pets are welcome. Frequent outings and activities, an old English pub, and a chapel make the center a busy one.
Verona Hills Village Coop – 108th & Wornall Rd. (913) 808-3388. Though yet to be built, Verona Hills Village is filling up with tenants. For active seniors who want to live an independent lifestyle with no maintenance plus have ownership in the apartment and property. At this stage of the game, owners can determine the look of their future home. (See feature story.)
Waterford South, 11515 Holmes Rd. 816-942-4898. This 28-room facility faces the woods, not the road, giving it a cozy, cabin-like atmosphere. “It is very small and personable,” says director Alfredo Egbadon. Waterford follows a Culture Change philosophy which means there are no set schedules. Residents choose when they eat or sleep giving it more of a community group home environment.
Skilled Nursing Facility
Brook Chateau, 12942 Wornall Rd. 816-942-6705. Brook Chateau offers skilled nursing and rehabilitative services for respite, hospice and residential living. The skilled nurses care for patients dealing with post stroke care, pain management, falls reduction, post total joint replacement, dementia, and skin and wound care. Asked why he liked Brook Chateau, a local resident said “the nurses!”
Brookdale Leawood State Line, 12724 State Line, Leawood. 913-203-1070. This dedicated Alzheimer’s and memory care community offers all the amenities of home in a structured and safe environment. Raised garden beds, woodworking area, crafts room, piano, walking trails, and pet ownership allow residents to enjoy hobbies. Dementia-friendly menus such as meatloaf and apple pie or finger food are caringly suited for the needs and memories of the individuals.
Carondelet Manor, 621 Carondelet Dr. 816-941-1300. Located near St. Joseph’s Hospital, this skilled nursing facility primarily deals with acute care.
Timberlake Care Center, 12110 Holmes Rd. 816-941-3006. Nestled deep in the woods, Timberlake offers rehabilitation therapists, 24-hour skilled nursing care, social services and an in-house dialysis center. Timberlake recently became a part of Health Systems Inc, which owns 71 percent of skilled nursing facilities. “This means great, positive change taking place,” says Director of Admissions Nancy Majors. She expects future building renovations such as a dialysis wing for public use.
KC Hospice and Palliative Care, 12000 Wornall Rd. 816-941-1000. This facility was built in 2006 by the non profit KC Hospice as an alternative to its home care system for the terminally ill. Skilled staff and volunteers care for all ages dealing with medical problems too serious or complex to be managed at home.
Adult Day Care
Loving Arms Adult Day Care, 13856 Wyandotte St. 816-941-0224. The facility is located within an industrialized area. But inside, Loving Arms Adult Day Care is set up like a comfy home. Skilled staff are available to take care of an elderly loved one while a family member runs errands or needs a break. Meals, activities, entertainment and outings are offered.