Brandon Woods to receive award for resident care / LJWorld.com

Archive for Saturday, August 9, 2008

A Lawrence nursing home earns statewide recognition for it's 'homey' atmosphere.

August 9, 2008

A 4-year effort to change Brandon Woods at Alvamar into a more homey atmosphere attracted state attention this year.

On Wednesday, Kansas Department on Aging Secretary Kathy Greenlee will visit Brandon Woods, 1501 Inverness Drive, to recognize it as one of this year's PEAK Award winners. PEAK stands for "promoting excellent alternatives in Kansas" nursing homes.

Brandon Woods and 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," she said. "Such enthusiastic and progressive leadership is one of the reasons Kansas has been recognized nationally as a leader in this challenge."

The work at Brandon Woods began with changes such as doing away with nursing stations in favor of placing desks in nooks in hallways. Residential suites were redesigned. Residents can get up when they want and participate in programs they choose.

"We started with program and staff culture changes and moved into environment changes," said Terri Moore, health services executive director.

Spas also were renovated, Moore said.

"Our goal is, if it's not an environment we would enjoy, why would we expect our residents to?" Moore said.

Greenlee will tour Brandon Woods at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday and then make a presentation to the staff.