Meadowlark Hills

The Meadowlark Difference

It’s a simple idea: Retirement communities should not be institutions, but homes where residents are able to do as they wish, when they wish. So simple, yet this idea serves as the foundation for Meadowlark’s pioneering effort to change the culture of retirement communities.

Recognized both nationally and internationally, Meadowlark’s culture-change crusade is based on the belief that adults of all ages deserve privacy and independence. That all of us are entitled to choose how we live our lives — when we wake up in the morning, what we eat at each meal, and how we spend our days.

The Meadowlark difference consists of straightforward, powerful ideas that make a world of difference to residents, most noticeably in the skilled nursing community. Guided by our “household model,” we are changing the architecture, staffing organization, and day-to-day scheduling of long-term care — all with the goal of empowering skilled nursing residents and assisted living residents in their daily lives.

Here’s how it works:

• Smaller “households,” with 12 to 24 residents apiece, each feature their own front door, porch, kitchen, living room and dining room.
• Each household has its own staff, rather than a rotating number of people providing care.
• Shared public spaces and maintained private spaces replace long, depressing hallways.
• Spaces are built for favorite activities, from reading to gardening to exercising.
• Private living areas are available for residents to meet with family and friends.
• Residents are not lined up to receive meals or medicine, but follow individual schedules that fit their specific wants and needs.
• Artwork — one of the largest Kansas art collections in the area — brings color and ideas to the forefront.
• Classes and other educational opportunities allow residents to pursue continued personal growth.
• Residents are given the privacy and independence that everyone wants and deserves.

While Meadowlark’s culture-change efforts are in great shape, we believe our work is never done. We are constantly reviewing, revising and expanding our campus to establish the kind of home we want our residents to enjoy. It is our responsibility and privilege to do everything we can to foster and preserve the feeling of home in our community.