New Home-Based Care Program Offers Aging Kansans an Alternative to Nursing Homes
BUHLER, Kan. — A new program launched by Sunshine Meadows Retirement Community is giving older Kansans a unique way to plan for future care while staying in their own homes. “Stay Your Way,” the state’s first and only continuing care at home (CCaH) membership program, offers a flexible and proactive alternative to traditional long-term care options like nursing homes.
The program is aimed at healthy, independent adults age 55 and older who want to remain at home as their care needs evolve. Members pay an upfront entry fee based on age, followed by fixed monthly payments that do not increase over time, regardless of their eventual healthcare needs. Unlike traditional long-term care insurance, services under Stay Your Way begin immediately and are tailored to each member’s needs.
“People generally don’t want to think about long-term care, and it is an important part of a financial plan to consider what care you will need later in life,” said Sara Nowlan, Sales and Marketing Director of Stay Your Way. “Waiting until a crisis happens usually results in ending up where you don’t want to be, as well as having higher unplanned costs.”
The program includes access to a dedicated Wellness Navigator, who helps design an individualized care plan, provides wellness and home safety recommendations, and coordinates home and community-based services when needed.
Stay Your Way’s initial service area includes communities within 100 miles of Buhler, such as Wichita, Salina, McPherson, Newton, Great Bend, and Ellsworth. Sunshine Meadows hopes to expand the service to other parts of Kansas as enrollment grows.
“This new option for long-term care has been around for about 30 years, primarily in cities east of the Mississippi River,” said Nowlan. “We’re excited to bring this level of personalized, home-based care to Kansas for the first time.”
The first 25 qualifying applicants—called Legacy Members—will receive an 8% discount off the entrance fee if they enroll by the end of June. The program is not covered by Medicaid and applicants must pass health and home safety assessments to qualify.
Sunshine Meadows Executive Director Nathan Spencer said the idea was inspired by a presentation at a LeadingAge Kansas meeting. “We were the first qualified and ready to bring the concept to life in Kansas, thanks to our strong reputation and experience in elder care,” said Spencer.
An informational seminar will be held on May 16 at 2:00 p.m. at the First National Bank in Hutchinson (1 N. Main Street, Suite 718). Reservations are required and can be made online at www.smrcstay.org, by calling 620-543-5692, or emailing [email protected]. Additional seminars will be scheduled in other cities within the service area.