Catholic Care Center sits on the Catholic Life Center campus at 45th Street North and Woodlawn in Wichita, Kansas, and people say the staff there is fabulous and attentive, which seems to come from being a mission-driven not-for-profit owned by the Catholic Diocese of Wichita, and you can really notice their Catholic tradition and focus on compassionate, expert care inspired by Bishop Emeritus Eugene Gerber's vision for senior care, since they try to enhance the lives of seniors by offering so many levels of care. The place has a 119-bed nursing facility, a 100-unit assisted living facility, 92 independent living units, and a 20-bed geriatric behavioral health hospital all on one campus, and that includes the Priests' Retirement Center and a 40-plus-room memory care residence, which is a lot all in one place. There's a full continuum of options including independent living, assisted living, memory support, skilled nursing, long-term care, short-term rehabilitation, and even an adult day program, so folks can move through different types of care as their needs change while still staying in a familiar spot.
They added St. Veronica's Senior Behavioral Health Hospital in 2024, which gives area seniors specialized behavioral healthcare with a focus on dignity and compassion, paying attention not just to nursing or physical health, but to mental health struggles if those crop up in old age. Catholic Care Center works closely with several outside groups like the Alzheimer's Association and other local aging and nursing education organizations, which keeps their staff current on best ways to provide care and also brings new services or learning opportunities for residents.
The facility recognizes that not everyone can afford this type of help, so they offer discounted rates and accept Medicaid, Medicare, CHAMPUS, TRICARE, and other government healthcare programs, which helps many people who'd have a hard time finding support elsewhere, and they're always trying to promote well-being above all else. The rooms and common spaces are modern and renovated, with clean rooms, comfortable beds, and pleasant furnishings, plus beautifully landscaped outdoor spots and walking paths for folks who want fresh air or a bit of exercise. Residents have access to laundry and housekeeping, pharmacy and medication review, on-site dialysis, and pastoral care, plus full therapy services: physical, occupational, and speech therapies are all available in-house.
There's a subacute transitional unit too for those needing extra recovery support, and the regular calendar's full of activities, classes, and chances for social engagement, with newsletters and resource links helping families stay in the loop. Folks living there can expect to find care that's personalized, with staff paying attention to individual needs, and there's focus on supporting independence and dignity for as long as possible. Memory care services, behavioral health support, long-term skilled nursing, and short-term rehabilitation are all there, so a person with different needs at different stages won't have to leave for separate facilities. Catholic Care Center doesn't just care for physical needs but offers spiritual care as well, sticking to the Catholic roots, and the place is recognized in the community for its warm, home-like feeling and modern amenities that don't sacrifice comfort or community over being a medical facility.
