Transforming Lives Through Quality Long-Term Care

Welcome to Kansas Advocates for Better Care, where we dedicate ourselves to advocating for quality long-term care! We envision a Kansas where all older adults enjoy excellent quality of life, no matter where they choose to live. 

Making Elder Care Better in Kansas Since 1975

Transforming Lives Through Quality Long-Term Care

Welcome to Kansas Advocates for Better Care, where we dedicate ourselves to advocating for quality long-term care! We envision a Kansas where all older adults enjoy excellent quality of life, no matter where they choose to live. 

Making Elder Care Better in Kansas Since 1975

Most people try not to think about nursing homes, that's why we think about them every day.

a woman is sitting at a table holding a cup of coffee and smiling .

Legislative Advocacy

KABC staff and volunteers advocate with state policy makers for policies that will improve long-term care for older adults. Because everyone has the right to receive quality care.

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Training & Resources

Learn how to identify safe, quality care for older adults. We provide essential resources to help you learn more about long-term care and how best to support your loved ones. 

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Guidance & Empowerment

Are you or a loved-one in need of a long-term care facility?  We have Consumer Information Reports to help you make an informed decision.  Our knowledgeable staff will talk with you one-on-one and provide you with the guidance you need.

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How KABC can help

Quarterly newsletter

Stay up to date on KABC activities and inspection trends of Kansas long-term care facilities. We'll keep you updated on need-to-know information about your area.

Consumer information reports

Get the most up to date information on how facilities in your area are performing. Make informed decisions with direct comparisons and facts.

Elder care booklets

Elder care booklets provide essential guidance and practical advice in addressing the unique challenges and considerations needed to ensure the well-being of older adults.

More about us

“Those in the nursing home industry have a responsibility to do better than simply operate profitable body warehouses for the aged.”

- Governor Bennett- 1977

Older woman being pushed in a wheel chair through the park by her smiling daughter

How KABC can help

an orange envelope with a piece of paper in it .

Quarterly newsletter

Stay up to date on KABC activities and inspection trends of Kansas long-term care facilities. We'll keep you updated on need-to-know information about your area.

a doctor is talking to an elderly woman in a wheelchair .

Consumer information reports

Get the most up to date information on how facilities in your area are performing. Make informed decisions with direct comparisons and facts.

a man and a woman are standing in front of a chart .

Elder care booklets

Elder care booklets provide essential guidance and practical advice in addressing the unique challenges and considerations needed to ensure the well-being of older adults.

More about us

Our History

Inception and Advocacy (1966-1976)

In 1966, Anna "Petey" Cerf's encounter with a neglected nursing home resident inspired the creation of Kansans for Improvement of Nursing Homes (KINH). KINH officially launched in October 1975, prioritizing consumer voices over industry influence.

Committee on Monitoring and Legislative Impact (1976-1978)

In 1976, KINH's Committee found issues at 26 nursing homes, leading to incorporation as a 501(c)(3) on November 4. Momentum grew with the 1977 Consumer Conference, prompting Governor Bennett to take action, resulting in major Kansas nursing home legislation in 1978.

Evolution and Enduring Mission (1978-Present)

While our organization has evolved over the years, including our name to Kansas Advocates for Better Care (KABC) in 1996, our mission has remained unchanged, to advocate for the fundamental right to be treated with dignity, respect, and receive quality long-term care. 

Read our full history
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Get Involved in the Cause

With your generosity and commitment, KABC continues the path that Petey Cerf set, striving for quality long-term care for older Kansans. Join KABC, volunteer your time, or donate today.

an elderly man in an apron is standing in a doorway .

Get involved in the cause

With your generosity and commitment, KABC continues the path that Petey Cerf set, striving for quality long-term care for older Kansans. Join KABC, volunteer your time, or donate today.

By Lenette Hamm 01 Mar, 2024
Spearheaded by the activism of Anna "Petey" Cerf, a "band of six" women from the Lawrence and Topeka communities came together with a shared vision: to improve the quality of long-term care for older adults and adults with disabilities in Kansas nursing homes. They were appalled by the poor conditions and mistreatment that they witnessed in many of these facilities and knew that something had to be done. These women, Jessie Branson, Anna "Petey" Cerf, Lesley (Lee) Ketzel, Harriet Nehring, Katie Pyle, and Bryona Wiley, were not content to simply accept the status quo. They refused to turn a blind eye to the suffering of those who were most vulnerable and were determined to make a change. Together, they founded Kansans for Improvement of Nursing Homes in 1975 and launched a reform movement through political advocacy, lobbying for changes to the laws and regulations that governed nursing homes. Their efforts were not always easy. They faced opposition and hostility from those who were resistant to change and had to fight tirelessly to make their voices heard. But they persevered, driven by a deep sense of compassion and a commitment to making a difference. The organization has evolved over the years (even changing their name to Kansas Advocates for Better Care), but the significant impact on the lives of countless individuals in Kansas remains. KABC continues to advocate for policies and regulations that improve the quality of care in all long-term care settings and provide support and resources to individuals and families who are navigating the complex world of long-term care. The legacy of these six women is a testament to the power of advocacy and the impact that dedicated individuals can have on their communities. They refused to accept things as they were and fought for change, making a profound difference in the lives of so many while emphasizing the fundamental right to be treated with dignity and respect. As we celebrate Women's History Month this March, let us remember the courage and determination of these trailblazing women, and let us recommit ourselves to the fight for better care for all. Their legacy continues to inspire us today.
By Lenette Hamm 09 Feb, 2024
Memory Care is defined as “Specialized Support for people with dementia or Alzheimer’s.” Makes sense, doesn’t it? We at KABC hear that some facilities are using the term “Memory Care” as a marketing tool rather than an actual service provided. Memory Care is NOT a license category for long-term care. Memory care can be provided in assisted care type facilities or in a nursing facility. Many have special memory care “neighborhoods” for residents with dementia. There are also stand-alone memory care facilities. Memory care is designed to provide a safe, structured environment with set routines to lower stress for people with Alzheimer's or dementia. Employees provide meals and help residents with personal care tasks, just like the staff at an assisted living facility, but they are also specially trained to deal with the unique issues that often arise as a result of dementia or Alzheimer's. They check in with residents more frequently and provide extra structure and support to help them navigate their day. If you learn your loved-one is in need of memory care in a long-term care facility, here are a few questions to ask: Is facility staff specially trained to manage behaviors? Is training on-going? Is there a locked unit or safe space for residents, to assure they are not able to get outside and in harm’s way? What is your protocol if a resident becomes agitated or disruptive? (antipsychotic meds are not the answer.) What is the ratio of staff to residents? Contact KABC for more information about memory care facilities in Kansas. We also have a great resource, “Positive Approaches for Loved-Ones with Dementia” in print and online in English & Spanish.  We’re here to help!
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