Shawnee welcomed a new senior‑care community last week when Cedarhurst Senior Living opened its assisted‑living and memory‑care facility on Lackman Road. The 63 assisted‑living apartments and 26 memory‑care suites were approved by the Shawnee City Council in July 2024 and began welcoming residents on Sept. 28.
Meeting a growing need
Johnson County officials project the number of residents age 65 and older will rise from about 95,000 in 2020 to more than 148,000 by 2029 and over 230,000 by 2049. Tim Wholf, director of Johnson County Aging and Human Services, said the county will need “accessible transportation, health and supportive services, nutrition, dementia and family caregiver resources, opportunities for social engagement and recreation, and a strong workforce” to meet that demand.
Local leaders praise the project
City Councilmember Kurt Knappen called the development “something that will bring value to the community” when it was voted on in 2024. Johnson County Commissioner Janeé Hanzlick added that more facilities will be needed as the senior population grows, noting that Cedarhurst’s model may not be affordable for everyone because it does not accept Medicaid.
Resident experience
Ronald and Rosalie Cazares, who moved from an apartment in Overland Park after Ronald suffered a femur fracture, said the new community offers a welcoming environment. “You’ve got a nice big dining room, and it’s really nice, and I’ve got a lot of amenities that the other places didn’t have… So far, it’s been really great,” Ronald said.
Alex Neff, divisional director of operations for Cedarhurst, emphasized a personalized approach: “It’s not a one‑size‑fits‑all approach. We’ll assess based on what the resident wants, what they need… if they want their laundry done, if they want their trash taken out daily, if they want just reminders to get to different activities, our staff will learn personally who that resident is, what they want, so that they can provide the services for them.”
Cost and amenities
Rent ranges from $5,950 to $7,500 per month for assisted‑living apartments, with memory‑care suites priced at $8,500 per month. Amenities include a spacious dining room, social‑activity programming, and on‑site staff to assist with daily living tasks.
Neff said families can feel confident that their loved ones are safe and engaged: “I hope our families … know that while they’re working or doing whatever they like to do, that their loved one is safe here. They’re having fun. They’re interacting. They’re building friendships and living life to the fullest.”
Looking ahead
The Shawnee facility is one piece of a broader strategy to expand senior‑care options across Johnson County. As the demographic shift continues, local officials expect additional developments, transportation solutions, and workforce training to support a growing senior population.
Original reporting: Johnson County Post (Overland Park) — read the source article.
