Maryhill Manor is giving residents control through culture change.

NIAGARA, WI -- When walking down the halls of Maryhill Manor Nursing Home in Niagara, Wisconsin, something may seem different. That’s because it is.

Unlike many other nursing homes, Maryhill uses a program called "culture change" that gives its residents control of their daily lives, from choosing when to wake up to eating meals restaurant style.

"Taking the focus of a rehabilitation and skilled nursing center away from institutionalism into this being more their home,” said Maryhill Manor CEO Jana Clement.  “Where people that live here make the decisions."

Marion Feldhausen has been a resident of Maryhill Manor since September.  She says being able to make her own decisions and the family atmosphere made Maryhill an easy choice.

"You come in here and to have somebody make you feel at home,” said Feldhausen, “and try to help acclimate you to your new lifestyle, it's great."

Maryhill is also impressing its peers.  Last month it was awarded the American Healthcare Association's Step Two Quality Award.  But as great as the award is, Clement is interested in satisfying another group of people.

"It's very nice to be recognized by your peers for what you're doing,” she said.  “But the most important people we want to satisfy are our residents, their families, and the people that actually work in our building because we're like a family."

Maryhill Manor is one of only two nursing homes in the state of Wisconsin to receive the award.  Clement said it is an achievement for the residents as much as the employees.