Date: December 13, 2005
Contact: Barbara Schoof Conant
barbaraconant@aging.state.ks.us
Director of Communications
(785) 296-6154
Officials from the Kansas Department on Aging will be in Garnett on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2005, to present an award to Jon M. Covault, administrator at Golden Heights Living Center, 101 N. Pine, and his staff for their efforts in changing the culture of long-term care.
Golden Heights is one of 10 Kansas nursing homes to earn a 2005 PEAK Award. PEAK stands for Promoting Excellent Alternatives in Kansas Nursing Homes. This is the fourth year KDOA has presented the awards, which recognize homes that are moving away from institutional models of the past to person-centered care in a home-like environment.
On hand for the 1:30 p.m. awards ceremony will be KDOA Deputy Secretary and Program and Policy Commissioner Janis DeBoer; Bill McDaniel, director of Nursing Facilities and Client Assessment, Referral and Evaluation (CARE) programs; and Dave Halferty and Patsy Samson, senior managers in the NF/CARE Division. The presentation is open to the public.
Other 2005 PEAK winners are: Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor; Friendship Manor Rehabilitation Center, Haviland; Hillsboro Community Medical Center; Medicalodge of Kinsley; Medicalodge of Wichita; The Cedars, McPherson; Meadowlark Hills, Manhattan; Pleasant View Home Inc., Inman; and Schowalter Villa, Hesston.
Golden Heights Living Center is a unique PEAK home in that it produces “culture change” outcomes without using the terms and techniques commonly associated with culture change facilities. The mission of Golden Heights Living Center is to provide each resident with “Dignity in Life.” Person-centered care is a way of life and there is a strong sense of “relationship” among the staff and residents.
Staff members are supported in a variety of
ways. A broad range of benefits are provided
and additional education and training is encouraged
through the provision of salary increases, bonuses
and scholarships. The facility’s “People
Energizing People” or “P.E.P. Club,” supports
staff morale and promotes staff recognition through
a variety of activities such as the annual Kansas
City haunted house journey, staff water balloon
fights, picnics, and parties.
Residents enjoy the beautiful gardens and “Turtle
Town,” where more than a dozen turtles
provide entertainment. The activity room is furnished
with a fully-equipped kitchen for resident use.
Residents also stay busy with a wide variety
of activities, including the Kansas Senior Olympiad
and the “TLC” Club for intergenerational
activities. The recipient of the annual “Volunteer
of the Year” award, selected by the residents,
is presented to one of the 50+ community volunteers
each year at the annual awards dinner.
Sponsors of the PEAK Awards are Kansas Foundation for Medical Care, St. Francis Health Center, Harrah's Prairie Band Casino, Heartland Sales and Chemicals, Golden Eagle Casino, Kansas Advocates for Better Care and Health-E-Equip.
More information about the PEAK Initiative is available at on the KDOA website: www.agingkansas.org. Click on KDOA Programs.