Date: July 23, 2008
Contact: Barbara Schoof Conant
barbara.conant@aging.ks.gov
Director of Communications
(785) 296-6154
Secretary of Aging to visit Atchison Senior Village
Secretary of the Kansas Department on Aging Kathy Greenlee will visit Atchison Senior Village, 1419 N. 6th St., Atchison, on Thursday, July 31, 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 10 a.m., followed by a celebration at 10:30 a.m.
“Atchison Senior Village 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 Atchison Senior Village a winner:
Residents sleep in and go to breakfast when they want. Staff members know the residents so well, they know what they want to eat and have it ready for them. Residents can choose what activities they want to do. Consistent staff members work with all residents in a neighborhood and are being cross-trained. Three distinct neighborhoods have been named by the residents. The entry has a large aquarium and there are two outdoor areas that feature a wheel chair path, playground equipment, flower beds and gazebo. Residents can take trips to stores, library, museum, zoos, casinos and other places.
Other PEAK winners are: 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; Parkside Homes, Hillsboro; 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.