Sheboygan Progressive, an Extendicare Health Center, Earns National Recognition for Providing High Quality Care

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN--(Marketwire - Aug. 22, 2011) - Extendicare Health Services, Inc. announced today Sheboygan Progressive Care Center, one of its health centers located in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, is the proud recipient of the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living's (AHCA/NCAL) Silver – Achievement in Quality, National Quality Award in recognition of their outstanding performance in the health care profession. Sheboygan Progressive is one of only 31 centers to receive this prestigious award this year, joining the only 201 across the nation to have been awarded this achievement since the program's inception.

"Across the country, long term care facilities are increasingly focused on providing high-quality, person-centered care for every person they serve," says Governor Mark Parkinson, President and CEO of AHCA/NCAL. "We applaud Sheboygan Progressive and Extendicare on this achievement and on their commitment to exceptional long-term care."

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 long term 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 Sheboygan Progressive and its ability to apply rigorous standards to operations and service," says Chick Stepahin, Chair, AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Board of Overseers. "Sheboygan Progressive has been consistent in its performance and dedication to providing high-quality care."

"I attribute Sheboygan Progressive's success 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 to providing quality care and rehabilitation services to the citizens of Sheboygan," 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 a recipient of the Silver - Achievement in Quality award, Sheboygan Progressive 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. Sheboygan Progressive will be presented with their award during AHCA/NCAL's 62^nd Annual Convention and Exposition, September 18-21, 2011 in Las Vegas, NV.

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 Real Estate Investment Trust, or Extendicare REIT, (TSX symbol "EXE.UN"). Extendicare REIT 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 37,900 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 258 senior care centers in North America have capacity for approximately 28,000 residents.