Date: May 31, 2007
Contact: Barbara Schoof Conant
barbara.conant@aging.ks.gov
Director of Public Affairs
(785) 296-6154
Note: Media coverage is welcome at any of these events
Secretary of Aging Kathy Greenlee will visit three award-winning adult care facilities in North Newton, Hesston and Inman next week. Each of the homes received 2007 PEAK Awards at the Governor’s Conference on Aging Services earlier this month for their efforts to provide resident-centered care. PEAK stands for Promoting Excellent Alternatives in Kansas nursing homes.
Greenlee will be at Bethel Health Care Centre, North Newton, at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, June 5 for a tour followed by a reception at 4:45 p.m. She will be at Schowalter Villa, Hesston, on Wednesday, June 6, where a celebration breakfast will start at 7:30 a.m. followed by a tour at 8:45 a.m. Then she will travel to Pleasant View Home, Inman, for a 10:45 a.m. reception followed by a tour.
“Resident-directed care is changing the dynamics of the nursing home environment, not only for residents but also for staff,” Greenlee said. “Kansas has become recognized nationally as a leader in this movement, thanks to the foresight and leadership of the administrators and staffs of the nine PEAK winners. These homes are excellent examples of the new direction in adult care.”
Here are some of the characteristics that make these homes winners:
Bethel Health Care Centre, Leigh Peck, Administrator: Residents have choices in meals, wake time and activities both inside and outside the home. They have a large corps of volunteers. They have intergenerational activities with Bethel College and the grade schools. Residents can take classes at Bethel College in Life Enrichment. They have three distinct neighborhoods, with cooking and dining areas. Teams are assigned consistently to specific neighborhoods. Rooms are personalized by the residents. This is Bethel’s first PEAK Award.
Schowalter Villa, James Krehbiel, Administrator. Nursing stations are being demolished and replaced by family areas. Rooms are large and comfortable and personalized with residents’ belongings. Staff is involved in the hiring and interviewing process. They are cross-trained. The main street connects the child care center to the nursing center and a new “Journey of Life Walkway” connects the college to the child care center, arboretum, college and nursing facility. A wide choice of activities, both day and evening, are available. This is the third PEAK Award for Schowalter Villa since 2003.
Pleasant View Home, Jalane White, Administrator. This is the fifth consecutive year for Pleasant View to win a PEAK Award. Residents are invited to bi-weekly team meetings of staff. All staff members are cross-trained and day and night shifts have consistent staffing. Residents’ rooms are personalized and each unit has a unique dining, bathing and living area. The wireless paging system creates a very quiet environment. Secured outdoor patios allow residents to garden in raised flower beds. One resident who had not spoken is now talking after moving into the new environment. This is the fifth consecutive year for Pleasant View Home to receive a PEAK Award.
Other PEAK winners are: Brewster Health Center, Topeka; Greeley County Health Services, Tribune; Medicalodge of Kinsley; Salina Presbyterian Manor; Village Manor, Abilene; and Village Shalom, Overland Park.
KDOA began recognizing adult care homes through the PEAK Awards in 2002. Facilities must submit an application for consideration for the honor. Finalists are visited by a panel of professionals before awards are determined.