MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN--(Marketwire -08/03/12)- Announced today, Extendicare Health Services, Inc. received three 2012 American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living's (AHCA/NCAL) Silver - Achievement in Quality, National Quality Awards in recognition of outstanding performance in the health care profession. The three health centers awarded this recognition include Tendercare Mt. Pleasant Health and Rehab Center in Mt. Pleasant, MI, Cedar Springs Health and Rehabilitation Center in Cedarburg, WI and Medco Center of Hardinsburg in Hardinsburg, KY. These centers are three of only 52 centers to receive this prestigious award this year, joining the only 232 across the nation to have been awarded this achievement since the program's inception.

"This award is a benchmark of distinction in the journey to providing high quality care," said Governor Mark Parkinson, President and CEO of AHCA/NCAL. "The long term and post-acute care community applauds these three centers and Extendicare on this great achievement."

The AHCA/NCAL Quality Awards - comprised of three levels, Bronze - Commitment to Quality award; a more rigorous Silver - Achievement in Quality award; and a comprehensive Gold - Excellence in Quality award - are an independently judged, criteria-based, award program considered to be the most prestigious recognition of quality within the long-term and post-acute care profession. This Silver - Achievement in Quality award highlights select centers across the nation that serve as models of excellence for providing high-quality care. Applicants for the award must first receive the Bronze award to become eligible and must demonstrate a level of quality achievement through good performance outcomes that have evolved from the center's ability to embrace the core values and concepts of visionary leadership, a focus on the future, and resident-focused excellence.

"Receiving this award is evidence of the staff commitment and successful leadership at Tendercare Mt. Pleasant, Cedar Springs and Hardinsburg and their ability to apply rigorous standards to operations and service," says Chick Stepahin, Chair, AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Board of Overseers. "These three centers have been consistent in their performance and dedication to providing high-quality care."

"Extendicare centers across the country are focused on providing high-quality, person-centered care for every person they serve and I attribute the success of these three health centers to their strong leadership team and innovative approach to care. We are very proud of this accomplishment and thank the entire team for their dedication," said Tim Lukenda, Chairman and CEO of Extendicare Health Services, Inc.

A team of trained Examiners reviews each Quality Award application and determines recipients based on a set of rigorous criteria. As recipients of the Silver - Achievement in Quality award, Tendercare Mt. Pleasant, Cedar Springs and Hardinsburg may now move forward in developing approaches and achieving performance levels that meet the criteria required for the Gold - Excellence in Quality award, which requires them to address the Baldrige Program's Health Care Criteria in its entirety. These three centers will be presented with their awards during AHCA/NCAL's 63rd Annual Convention and Exposition, October 7-10, 2012 in Tampa, FL.

Implemented by AHCA/NCAL in 1996, the National Quality Award Program is centered on the core values and criteria of the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program and is designed to support both continuous quality improvement efforts in long-term care by promoting quality awareness and education and recognizing quality achievements.

About Extendicare

Extendicare Health Services, Inc. located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is a wholly owned subsidiary of Extendicare Inc., or Extendicare, (TSX symbol "EXE"). Extendicare is a leading North American provider of long-term and short-term senior care services through its network of owned and operated health care centers. We employ 36,100 qualified and experienced individuals dedicated to helping people live better through a commitment to quality service that includes post-acute care, rehabilitative therapies and home health care services. Our 244 senior care centers in North America have capacity for approximately 26,500 residents.

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Three Extendicare Health Centers Earn National Recognition for Providing High Quality Care in 2012