From the Secretary

The Kansas Department on Aging uses public and private resources to improve the security, dignity and independence of Kansas seniors, their families, seniors’ caregivers and all Kansans living in adult care homes.

That is our mission statement, which was expanded last year after the adult care facility Licensure Certification Enforcement process was moved to KDOA from the Department of Health and Environment on July 1, 2003.

The Goals and Objectives of the Department are to promote:

1. Healthy aging with personal and financial independence.
2. A continuum of choices in services for seniors.
3. High quality services and supports at all levels of individual need.
4. Effective, efficient and affordable services and supports.

Since being appointed by Governor Kathleen Sebelius as Secretary of Aging in March 2003, I have identified the following five policy directions:

1. Public Awareness. Kansans’ view of aging must change. The Department will promote to citizens prior to their reaching their senior years a culture of Aging that is life affirming, satisfying and compassionate. We must advance and tell the story of the benefits of healthy aging. Encouraging individuals to stay active, both physically and mentally, will prove beneficial to all Kansans. A healthy senior population translates to Kansans living to be older before they need paid supports. In addition, education about long-term care financing options can assist in reducing the need for publicly paid services across the continuum.


2. Cultural Competency. We must position our state to more effectively meet the changing demographics and needs of future Kansas Elders. Emphasis on program and service accessibility for hard-to-reach populations inclusive of seniors with language, location, literacy, culture and other barriers is warranted.


3. Mental Health. We must increase awareness of mental health issues for older adults. Seniors have disproportionate suicide rates, frequently are not aware of how to access mental health services and many quietly suffer a diminished quality of life without information and senior mental health services and programs available to them. Research indicates mental health is a primary causative factor leading to premature institutionalization which contributes to increased health care costs.


4. Continuum of Care. We must continue to support independence. Kansas Seniors desire and deserve a service option range that fits their needs as they progressively age and need assistance incrementally. Elders living in their homes later into the life cycle and remaining a part of the larger community have an enhanced quality of life and reduced need for nursing home placement. Affordable and various options of care services for seniors is cost effective.


5. Nursing Home Culture Change. Transformation of nursing facilities from traditional medical models to homes that support residents making more choices about their living arrangements is what tomorrow’s seniors will demand. To meet their needs and demands, innovations in the long term care delivery system and employing new models of care is critical to advancing senior housing accommodations that will transition to the future.

KDOA in its role as an advocate, purchaser of services and regulator directs programs and responsibly establishes collaborations that enhance the Department’s capability to be optimally responsive to the Social, Health Care, Nutritional, Housing and Transportation needs of Kansas Seniors. The Department is customer centered placing emphasis on internal and external fair and reasonable delivery of services that result in pertinent, objective and measurable outcomes to benefit Kansas Seniors and Kansans living in adult care homes.

Thank you for visiting the KDOA website. You will find a variety of information about the agency and its programs and services as well as other information relevant to aging issues. We appreciate your interest in Kansas seniors and encourage your partnership in strengthening the aging network and safety net that contributes to the development of having a state populated with enlightened age wise Kansans!