What started as a staff survey on how to improve services at the Fellowship Home turned into a statewide recognition from some of Georgia’s assisted living organizations.

The Fellowship Home, located in Brooks County, was named one of the top six personal care homes in the state out of 1,700 licensed homes in Georgia. The award is one that is given out each year to personal care homes based on their excellence in residence living and staff services.

“It was encouraging to know what we’re doing is working,” said John LaHood, associate administrator at the Fellowship Home.

The home, which houses elderly, disabled and retired veterans, received the award last month in Atlanta. The Fellowship Home’s award came for a program it developed last September that was based on a staff survey on how to improve the lives of residents.

“We’re always looking to improve and find new ways to provide services of the highest quality,” LaHood said. “It makes a win-win situation for the staff and the residents.”

The program, titled “Pathway to Excellence: Motivating, Inspiring and Empowering an Excellent Staff,” allows its 60-member staff to evaluate themselves and other staff members.

The program also offers motivational workshops and team building with staff and residents to improve the quality of life.

Those employees who have “outstanding results” receive recognition and a bonus from the company, LaHood said.

A panel of judges evaluated personal care homes on their excellence in direct care professionals, conducted a residence evaluation for appropriate care, and looked at the Home’s selection of innovative activities.

The Fellowship Home’s award included recognition from the Assisted Living Association of Georgia, Georgia-Assisted Living Federation of America and Georgia Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.