Sept. 15, 2009 (Overland Park, Kan.) — Village Shalom has received the prestigious PEAK Award from the Kansas Department on Aging for the third year in a row. The continuing-care retirement community in Overland Park is among just eight facilities in Kansas – and is the only one in Johnson County – to receive the 2009 award. PEAK (Promoting Excellent Alternatives in Kansas Nursing Homes) recognizes long-term care facilities for their efforts to create a less institutionalized and more homelike environment for their residents. The award was presented at the recent Governor’s Conference on Aging Services held in Topeka.

In announcing the award-winning nursing homes, Martin Kennedy, Acting Secretary of the Kansas Department on Aging, said, “All [eight] of these homes have truly embraced the ideals of culture change. Person-centered care provides a happier environment not only for residents, but also for staff.” 

The PEAK awards program began in 2002 to recognize and encourage nursing homes to move away from the institutional model of care to a person-centered model with residents having more control over their activities and schedules. Since then, more than 40 homes have been honored – some, like Village Shalom, more than once.

“I want to extend my heart-felt thanks to our staff, which truly deserves all the credit for enabling Village Shalom to receive this distinguished honor for the third year in a row,” said Matthew E. Lewis, president and CEO of Village Shalom. “Each year, it is more challenging to implement further innovations that build on the foundation of creating a homelike environment for our residents. It requires ongoing change in the mindset and culture of our entire organization. But we have achieved it because of such a dedicated, talented and caring staff that is always striving to improve and enhance the quality of life for our residents.” 

A delegation from the Kansas Department on Aging will visit Village Shalom in the near future to make a formal, on-site presentation to the staff and residents.