New Models of Care

New Options in Long Term Care
A new movement in Long-Term Care, Culture Change takes the institutional feel out of the nursing home and replaces it with home. The elder is at the center of decision making about their care, and families have the opportunity to become involved. The basic premise of culture change is to change nursing homes from a medical model of care, much like a hospital, to a social model of care with “home” as its center.

Culture Change is described as a transformation of nursing homes from the traditional model to a new way of caring…one in which the elder is the decision-maker. Caregivers are empowered to be responsive to the elder and each other, and an atmosphere of home prevails. The Pioneer Network defines culture change as "the transformation of traditional institutions and practices into communities in which each person's capacities and individuality are affirmed and developed". This transformation is an ongoing, never ending journey. As culture change continues to spread throughout the country, nursing homes that do not put their customer first will be a relic of the past.

You can learn more about culture change from KAHSA by clicking here.

Sites to learn more about Culture Change:
1. Promoting Excellent Alternatives in Kansas Nursing Homes (PEAK)
2. PEAK Nursing Homes Initiative
3. Pioneer Network
4. Culture Change Now
5. Eden Alternative
6. Greenhouse Project
7. Kansas Culture Change Coalition