For Immediate Release

January 24, 2012

For more information, contact:
Sara Arif
Director of Public Affairs
Kansas Department on Aging
785.296.6681

PEAK 2.0 Program Announced

Topeka—The Kansas Department on Aging has been recognizing nursing homes for their move towards culture change, by giving PEAK awards for the past ten years. PEAK, Promoting Excellent Alternatives in Kansas nursing homes, has recognized 51 different providers for changing their focus to one that is centered on residents’ choices.

In 2012, the Kansas Department on Aging, working with providers, consumers and advocates developed a new PEAK award system to encourage the improvement of culture in all nursing homes in Kansas. The new program places nursing homes into five different incentive levels to recognize homes that are either pursuing culture change, have made achievements in the pursuit of culture change, have met minimum competencies in person-centered care, have sustained person-centered care or are mentoring others on person-centered care. Attainment of each level is tied to an incentive payment to incentivize more nursing homes to move towards person-centered care. These incentive payments are currently recognize high staffing ratio, high Medicaid occupancy, completion of the Kansas culture change instrument and low staff turnover.

A tool kit, along with the application and a Kansas culture change inventory form are available on our website at www.agingkansas.org and will be delivered to nursing homes by the Long-Term Care Ombudsman. Secretary Shawn Sullivan will host a web chat on the new PEAK 2.0 program on Monday, January 30 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Details for the web chat are as follows:
Monday, January 30, 2012- 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Meeting number: 598373491
Password: aging
Please click the link below to see more information about the meeting, and to join the meeting.
https://intercall.webex.com/intercall/j.php?ED=180146772&UID=1356883472&PW=NMjdkZTY4ZjU2&RT=MiM0

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The Kansas Department on Aging’s mission is to foster an environment which; promotes security, dignity, and independence, while providing the right care, at the right time, in a place called home.