THE GREEN HOUSE® model creates a small intentional community for a group of elders and staff. It is a place that focuses on life, and its heart is found in the relationships that flourish there. A radical departure from traditional skilled nursing homes and assisted living facilities, The Green House model alters facility size, interior design, staffing patterns, and methods of delivering skilled professional services. Its primary purpose is to serve as a place where elders can receive assistance and support with activities of daily living and clinical care, without the assistance and care becoming the focus of their existence. Developed by Dr. William Thomas and rooted in the tradition of the Eden Alternative, a model for cultural change within nursing facilities, The Green House model is intended to de-institutionalize long-term care by eliminating large nursing facilities and creating habilitative, social settings.
Architecture - Warm, Smart, and Green
The Green House residence is designed to be a home for six to ten elders. It blends architecturally with neighboring homes, includes vibrant outdoor space, and utilizes aesthetically appealing interior features. Each elder has a private room or unit with a private bathroom. Elders' rooms receive high levels of sunlight and are situated around the hearth, an open kitchen and dining area. While adhering to all codes required by regulations, Green House homes look and feel like a home, and contain few medical signposts.
•Warm: Warmth is created by the floor plan, decor, furnishings, and the people.
•Smart: Use of cost effective, smart technology-computers, wireless pagers, electronic ceiling lifts, and adaptive devices.
•Green: Sunlight, plants, and access to outdoor spaces.
Green House® Life - It's a Home
Each elder enjoys a private room or unit with a private bath which they decorate with their own belongings. There is easy access to all areas of the house including the kitchen and laundry, outdoor garden and patio. Safety features are built into the house to minimize injury. The small size of The Green House home promotes less use of wheelchairs. The elder is free from the limitations of an institutional schedule and lives a comfortable daily life - sleeping, eating, and engaging in activities as they choose. Meals are prepared in the open kitchen and served at a large dining table where staff, elders and visitors enjoy pleasant dining (called CONVIVIUM). This is characterized by good fresh food, a well set table often with music and flowers, and good conversation with people who care about one another. Meal times can be over an hour and appetites are good.
Source: http://www.ncbcapitalimpact.org/default.aspx?id=148
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
No comments:
Post a Comment