[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 7 (Tuesday, January 13, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S333-S334]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO BOURBON HEIGHTS NURSING HOME

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the Bourbon 
Heights Nursing Home, which was recently recognized as the best nursing 
home in the State in 2008 by the Kentucky Association of Health Care 
Facilities, KAHCF.
  Recently, the Bourbon County Citizen in Paris, KY, published a story 
about the Bourbon Heights Nursing Home receiving this top honor.
  Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the work of 
the dedicated staff and volunteers at Bourbon Heights, whose continued 
commitment to the community and to those they care for is 
extraordinary. I further ask unanimous consent that the full article be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

              [From Bourbon County Citizen, Dec. 19, 2008]

                  Bourbon Heights Receives State Award

                            (By Paul Gibson)

       The Bourbon Heights Nursing Home was the recipient of the 
     coveted award recognizing them as the best nursing home in 
     the state by the Kentucky Association of Health Care 
     Facilities (KAHCF). There are 247 nursing homes in the 
     association and each one is awarded the large trophy that 
     signifies the top honor.
       ``There is an extensive application procedure,'' said 
     Glenda McKenzie, Activities Director. ``And judges come at 
     least twice during the year to personally see the facility.''
       ``The judges' visit is very thorough,'' said Angie 
     Forsythe, Administrator at Bourbon Heights. ``They interview 
     each department head and observe the services we provide 
     residents.''
       According to Forsythe, the judges also interview staff 
     members, residents, and volunteers to gain better 
     understanding of how the facility operates.
       ``The judges really wanted to know what makes us unique,'' 
     Forsythe said.
       The judges discovered, McKenzie said, ``that we are a very 
     diverse facility offering a wide range of services to our 
     residents.''
       Currently, Bourbon Heights provides independent living in 
     apartments, personal care, nursing care, day care and out 
     patient rehabilitation.
       ``I think the judges were impressed with the way we take 
     pride in the care we provide our residents,'' Forsythe said. 
     ``We are like a family here and the staff provides a loving 
     care for each resident.''
       She added that Bourbon Heights has very little turnover in 
     staff and that many staff

[[Page S334]]

     members have 20 or more years of service. ``It is like a 
     family here, the staff cares for the residents and 
     relationships are developed that are important to the 
     residents.''
       One of the most unique attributes of Bourbon Heights is the 
     support from the community and the volunteers who are in the 
     floors every day providing support and help to the regular 
     staff.
       ``As I travel around the state attending meetings,'' 
     McKenzie said. ``Other Activity Directors are amazed at the 
     level of community support that we have at Bourbon Heights.''
       The giant trophy in the lobby is awarded for one year and 
     will be passed on next year to a new recipient. A trophy cup 
     will remain at Bourbon Heights as a reminder of this year's 
     honor of being named the best nursing home in the state.
       Bourbon Heights was chartered in 1965 when it opened as a 
     senior care center. It is a non-profit organization. The land 
     is owned by the county and the buildings and improvements are 
     part of the Bourbon Heights Corporation and under the 
     direction of the board of directors that oversee the non-
     profit organization.

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