Salem Home among best nursing homes in U.S.

U.S. News & World Report has ranked Salem Home in Hillsboro among the nation?s best nursing homes.

The distinction was based on data collected by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

CMS collects information on health inspection results, staffing and quality measures for all nursing facilities to create a ?Five Star? rating system that is published on its Nursing Home Compare website.

?In order to make the data more meaningful, U.S. News based its rankings on the data points that are most indicative of quality care,? said Kris Erickson, Salem chief executive officer.

In a state-by-state comparison, Kansas ranks eighth overall among homes having the highest percentage of top rankings.

?The high ranking is due in part to early adoption of a person-centered care model of delivering services,? Erickson said. ?Under this model, caregivers strive to make a resident?s life similar to what they had experienced prior to moving into a nursing home.?

Rooms and commons areas are renovated using home decor, and residents are encouraged to bring personal belongings to their new home, he said.

Dining rooms allow residents to order from a menu and efforts are made to prepare favorite dishes.

?Most importantly, residents and families are encouraged to take an active role in planning their care,? Erickson said. ?They choose when to get up in the mornings, can have meals served in their rooms, and are able to schedule their own daily routines.?

Salem Home has regularly been listed as a Five Star home on the CMS website, but inclusion in the U.S. News article brings recognition to a larger audience.

?Although 26 percent of Kansas homes were in this list, it is wonderful to see Salem Home recognized,? Erickson said. ?Since my arrival, I?ve been impressed with the caring and compassion demonstrated by our staff.

?Being included in this list is a great reminder that we are doing something good for our community.?

St. Luke Living Center in Marion also received a Five Star rating. Bethesda Home in Goessel and Parkside Homes in Hillsboro received an overall rating of four stars.

For more information, visit: healthyliving.msn.?com/diseases/caregiving/us-news-best-nursing-homes-2014-1.

More from Hillsboro Free Press
Canton-Galva looks to improve on last year
With no seniors, the Canton-Galva football team will rely on younger players...
Read More