TOPEKA – The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) today announced a partnership with Vital Research to implement an updated data collection process for nursing homes across Kansas. The initiative, known as Kansas Quality of Life Surveys (KQoL), aims to improve transparency and care standards by gathering direct, person-centered feedback from residents.

Beginning in spring 2026, trained interviewers from Vital Research will visit participating nursing homes to conduct these confidential, face-to-face interviews. As a national consulting firm specializing in human services, Vital Research will focus on capturing residents' daily lived experiences and personal satisfaction with the care they receive.

“Kansans must have access to meaningful, data-driven information, especially when making significant decisions regarding care settings for themselves or their loved ones,” KDADS Adult Care Home Quality Program Manager Jami Boone said. “We are eager to advance this effort, which will allow us to hear directly from those most impacted by our long-term care system.”

Key components of the KQoL initiative include:

• Person-Centered Data: The surveys move beyond clinical metrics to capture the "lived experience" of residents, focusing on dignity, autonomy, and comfort.
• Voluntary Participation: Engagement in the survey process is voluntary for homes, residents, and family members.
• Confidentiality: Strict protocols will be in place to ensure all responses remain confidential, fostering an environment where participants can share feedback openly and honestly.
• Public Transparency: Statewide findings and home-specific data will be analyzed and published on the KDADS website.

This initiative is designed to highlight industry strengths and identify areas for improvement, providing facilities with performance data while empowering Kansas families to make informed long-term care choices. KDADS is committed to working alongside nursing home partners and Vital Research to ensure a smooth survey process that supports the agency’s ultimate mission: protecting and strengthening the quality of life for aging Kansans.