The Orleans County Nursing Home in Albion, New York has been selected to receive the 2007 Leading-Edge Care and Services Award from the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging. The award is given in recognition of programs and services that are models of innovation and excellence and contribute significantly to the quality of life of the individuals served.

     Orleans County Nursing Home is recognized for the “Community as School” program, which helps students who show promise, yet have difficulty in a tradition school setting, to earn academic credits while working and attending school in the nursing home. The fact that more than 100 students have participated to date, and that there is a waiting list, is testament to the program’s success. Many of the students have gone on to work in long-term health care, and that students in the program are more likely to graduate, miss fewer school days and have fewer discipline referrals than in other alternative or traditional school settings.

     Orleans County Nursing Home will accept the award at the AAHSA’s Annual Meeting & Exposition, taking place Oct. 21-24, 2007, in Orlando.

     Orleans County Nursing Home is a member of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA), a national, not-for-profit organization committed to creating the future of aging services through quality people can trust.  Each day, AAHSA members serve as many as 2 million older persons and others with special needs.