Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community received the PEAK Award on Tuesday, Nov. 17, during a presentation ceremony in the Meadowlark Hills Community Center.

The award was presented to Annie Peace, Health Services Director at Meadowlark Hills, by the Secretary for Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS), Kari Bruffett.

For over ten years, KDADS has been recognizing nursing homes for successfully implementing culture change through the Promoting Excellent Alternatives in Kansas Nursing Homes program commonly known as PEAK. Meadowlark Hills has won this award five other times, including: 2002, 2004, 2005, 2009 and 2012.

PEAK awards are issued annually to homes that accomplish significant improvements toward person-centered care in the targeted areas of resident choice, staff empowerment, home environment and meaningful life activities. Person-centered nursing homes have moved away from the institutional model of nursing home care and toward a more home-like environment in which residents have a say in their day-to-day lives.

In addition to Meadowlark Hills, nine of adult care facilities throughout the state have been recognized with a 2015 PEAK 2.0 Award for sustaining person-centered care for their residents. The facilities include: Brewster Health Center, Topeka; Evergreen Community, Olathe; Pleasant View, Inman; Medicalodges, Columbus; Showalter Villa, Hesston; Dooley Center, Atchison; Parkside Homes, Hillsboro; Lone Tree Retirement Center, Meade; and Pine Village, Moundridge.

“KDADS remains committed to ensuring high quality services for Kansas nursing home residents,” Secretary Bruffett said. “I want to congratulate the management and staff of the winning facilities for their extraordinary effort and excellent care they provide.”

The PEAK award event was attended by Meadowlark Hills residents, employees and board members, and Manhattan community members. A brief meet and greet preceded the presentation.