PEAK

The original PEAK (Promoting Excellent Alternatives in Kansas Nursing Homes) identified homes that were seeking to improve quality of care for residents and quality of life for the residents and staff through organizational and personal change and growth. The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (previously the Kansas Department on Aging), responsible for this initiative, recognized the need for a dual approach: recognition and education.

Starting in 2002, the Kansas State University Center on Aging developed PEAK education modules that supported Kansas nursing homes in implementing progressive, innovative approaches to care. In the fall of 2006 the grant moved to the next phase of dissemination, the reporting of process and outcomes. Increasing pressures from many nursing home stakeholders demand attention to what changes may mean for residents, staff and organizations. Predictions of increasing consumer demands and requirements of continually improving quality of care; support the need to turn attention to the continued dissemination of innovative models of care.

The PEAK education initiative is funded through a Title XIX contract supported by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (previously the Kansas Department on Aging) and the Kansas Department for Children and Families and through matching funds provided by Kansas State University, Leading Age Kansas (formerly KS Association of Homes and Services for the Aging), the Kansas Health Care Association, and volunteers from the long term care profession (2002-2008).