Date: July 22, 2008
Contact: Barbara Schoof Conant
barbara.conant@aging.ks.gov
Director of Communications
(785) 296-6154
Secretary of Aging to visit Village Shalom
Secretary of the Kansas Department on Aging Kathy Greenlee will visit Village Shalom, 5500 W. 123rd St., Overland Park, on Tuesday, July 29, to recognize it as one of this year’s PEAK Award winners. The awards were presented at the Governor’s Conference on Aging Services in May to 10 Kansas adult care facilities for their efforts to provide resident-centered care. PEAK stands for Promoting Excellent Alternatives in Kansas nursing homes.
Greenlee will tour the facility at 9 a.m., followed by a celebration at 10:30 a.m.
“Village Shalom and the other PEAK winners are leading the way in adopting and promoting resident-directed care,” Greenlee said. “The result is a more satisfying and rewarding experience for both residents and staff. Such enthusiastic and progressive leadership is one of the reasons Kansas has been recognized nationally as a leader in this change.”
Here are some of the characteristics that make Village Shalom a winner for the second straight year:
Residents have choices in bathing, meals, wake times and activities. Staff is involved in the hiring process. Staff members are cross-trained and spend more time with residents building strong relationships. New dental clinic, doctor’s office and therapy rooms have been completed. The facility boasts more than 100 volunteers and information on activities is promoted in the community.
Other PEAK winners are: Atchison Senior Village, Atchison; Brandon Woods Retirement Community, Lawrence; Brewster Place Health Center, Topeka; Brookside Retirement Community, Overbrook; Cheney Golden Age Home, Cheney; Greeley County Long-Term Care Unit, Tribune; Johnson County Nursing Center, Olathe; Minneapolis Good Samaritan Center, Minneapolis; and Parkside Homes, Hillsboro.
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.