TOPEKA – The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) recognized 18 adult care homes across Kansas for their achievements in providing and sustaining person-centered care for residents during the 2025 Person-Centered Care Conference, held October 15–16 at the K-State Alumni Center in Manhattan.

This year’s conference theme, “Still Standing, Still Caring, Still Person-Centered: Recognizing the Power of Resilience,” celebrated the strength and dedication of Kansas care providers who continue to place residents’ voices and preferences at the heart of their work.

“Each of these homes represents the best of what person-centered care can be,” said Secretary Howard. “Their commitment to resilience and compassion shows that excellence in care is achieved when we listen, adapt, and truly honor those who call these homes their own.”

Award presentations on October 15 honored homes that have demonstrated excellence in implementing or sustaining person-centered care. In addition to plaques, each home received a custom yard sign to proudly display its achievement and promote the outstanding work being done within its community.

The homes recognized for their work as person-centered care homes that have moved away from institutional models of care in fiscal year 2025 are:

• FW Huston Medical Center
• Villa St. Francis 

The homes recognized for their work in sustaining person-centered care in fiscal year 2025 are:

• Brewster Health Center
• Caritas Center, Inc.
• Crestview Nursing and Residential Living
• Pioneer Manor
• Pleasant View Home
• S. Luke Living Center

The homes recognized for their work as Mentor Homes, homes that have mentored other adult care homes in implementing person-driven practices in fiscal year 2025, are:

• Attica Long Term Care
• Dooley Center
• Evergreen Retirement Community
• Hill Top House
• Leonardville Nursing Home
• Meadowlark Hills
• Pine Village
• Prairie Mission Retirement Village
• The Nicol Home
• The Shepherd’s Center

For more than 20 years, KDADS has recognized nursing homes that have successfully implemented positive culture change through the PEAK program. As a result, accommodating the personal preferences of nursing home residents has become as important as providing the vital services and supports they need.

The 2025 Person-Centered Care Conference offered two days of professional development, networking, and practical training. Sessions explored topics such as promoting resilience among caregivers and residents, enhancing culinary choice, improving engagement and wellness, and using data to guide culture change. The conference also featured the release of new PEAK Experience Survey results, interactive roundtables, guided tours of local homes, and an evening social event offering opportunities for connection and collaboration.

KDADS continues its contract with Kansas State University's (KSU) Center on Aging to develop training materials to support nursing home providers transitioning to person-centered care and to continue developing PEAK training and educational opportunities for nursing facility management and staff.

For more information about the PEAK program, visit https://www.kdads.ks.gov/partners-providers/aging-services/peak-person-centered-care.