Monday, December 20, 2021

Eden Alternative and Green Houses

 





Hi Readers, I am sharing a story and video below about the Green House movement started as the Eden Alternative by geriatrician Dr. Bill Thomas and Jude Thomas in 1994. What is it? A radical model of long-term care that empowers older adults. Since meeting Thomas at a scientific meeting about twenty years ago, I have promoted this model that revolutionizes how we approach care. The typical “asylum” model promotes rigid schedules, learned helplessness, and boredom. Conversely, the Eden Alternative and Green House model promote autonomy, independence, dignity, and greater well-being. Visitors will not see a medical cart in the hallway of a Green House property and their staff does not wear medical attire. Why? Because that not what we see in a home. Here is a link to learn more: https://edenalt.org/who-we-are/

 

Below is an article and video from the Green House Project, December 2021 Newsletter. Please take seven minutes to see firsthand how they operate and what seniors and their families think about their Green House residence. As a gerontologist, I ONLY recommend Green House properties to clients.

 

“This month, a Canadian news team looking for workable solutions to the long-term care crisis north of the border found answers in a pair of Green House communities here in the United States.

The CBC News crew visited Green House homes operated by Otterbein SeniorLife in Ohio and Presbyterian Villages of Michigan in Detroit, speaking with a wide range of caregivers, residents, and family members about the small-home difference.

The resulting coverage helped bring what we know about Green House homes to viewers across Canada: Smaller, person-centered communities that empower residents and workers alike are the future of long-term care, no matter where you live.

As we look ahead to 2022, we hope these stories help add more fuel to the small-home revolution across North America!” (The Green House Project, December 2021 E-News).

 

Video:

https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1981931587590

 


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