By: NICOLAS FIERRO
Salina Post
CLAY CENTER - A nursing home in Clay Center has been evacuated by the state of Kansas and has left more questions than answers.
In the middle of August 2025, residents of Advena Living of Clay Center were evacuated by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) due to quality of living issues. According to Cara Sloan-Ramos of KDADS, residents were 'successfully moved' from the nursing home.
"We can confirm that residents were successfully moved from the Advena nursing home in Clay Center, and we are working to make sure they are well cared for in their new locations," said Sloan-Ramos.
Reasons have as to why residents were removed remain unknown. Many speculations from the public have stated there were possibilities of 'mold in the air ducts' and even residents being 'neglected of care.'
Sloan-Ramos stated that KDADS takes such allegations seriously and are investigated accordingly.
"KDADS takes all allegations of abuse and neglect seriously and operates a hotline to receive such reports," she said. "If and when such allegations are received, they are investigated accordingly. The results of those investigations are confidential and are only made available to the parties directly involved in the case."
Sloan-Ramos also said KDADS could not answer any questions as to why the residents were evacuated. She stated these questions are to be directed towards the administration of Advena.
"We cannot provide details at this time because the process is not yet complete and the information is not public," she said. "Questions about where patients were transferred or whether any legal action has been filed would need to be answered by the facility."
Salina Post has reached out to the administrative team of Advena several times, but has not received a response.
Set up for success
According to a press release from KDADS, on March 10, 2025 Advena Living of Clay Center received funding from the state and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) after approval to implement the 'SNF Clinic quality improvement program in 43 nursing homes across Kansas.' The purpose of the funding was to enhance staff training, improve resident care and elevate overall facility performance through an advanced electronic learning management system (eLMS).
SNF Clinic is a web-based platform that provides nursing home staff with easy access to essential education and care resources. The program ensures residents receive high-quality, person-centered care by equipping healthcare professionals with the necessary knowledge and tools.
“The implementation of SNF Clinic in Kansas nursing homes represents a significant investment in the well-being of our elderly population,” KDADS Civil Money Penalty (CMP) Program Manager Rebecca Hedrick said. “By prioritizing education and quality improvement, we ensure that staff members are fully prepared to provide exceptional care to residents.”
Concerns from the public
Members of Clay Center have spoken about the situation and speculated as to what may have happened.
"It is pretty sad, where are you going to put all those people?"
"There may have been a building or water problem."
"I heard the state had to evacuate the residents because of mold, but no one is talking about it and I do not know what is going on."
According to reviews of Advena Living of Clay Center, the nursing home had a below average rating for "Short-term rehabilitation" and "Long-term care." The rating for Short-term rehab evaluates a nursing home's quality of post-acute care for patients recovering from a hospital stay, such as instances that include strokes, heart attacks, infections or accidental injuries. The rating for Long-term care evaluates a nursing home's ability to care for residents who need daily assistance with medical needs, such as administering medications and non-medical needs such as dressing, eating and using the bathroom.
According to a standard inspection report conducted on April 9, 2025 from The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Advena Living of Clay Center had potentials of actual harm with many residents being affected to provide services such as:
Infection Control Deficiency, Nutrition and Dietary Deficiency and Administration Deficiency (determine what resources are necessary to care for residents).
Few patients were affected as far as the Quality of Life and Care Deficiency and Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiency
However, Advena Living of Clay Center had no reports of any actual harm with minimal potentiality when it came to Nursing and Physician Services Deficiency.
See the full report here.
Salina Post will continue to stay in contact with KDADS and follow up with the administration of Advena.