Decade's Top 10 Senior Design Innovations

Thanks to THE GREEN HOUSE PROJECT Blog and Long Term Living magazine's March issue, which rounds up the top 10 senior design innovations that have transformed nursing home and long term care in the past decade. "It's no surprise that The Green House Project not only makes the top 10, but it embodies nearly every other item on the list. Here's a quick synopsis of the top 10 innovations compiled by Margaret P. Calkins, PhD, for Long Term Living."

The list includes intentional elder-friendly communities, smaller is better, THE GREEN HOUSE Project, codifying person-centered care and the household model, private bathrooms are better, eliminating nursing stations and medicine carts, lighted grab bars, and better ceiling lifts.

For more questions about The Green House Residences at Stadium Place, and to add your name to the mailing list, please call Catholic Charities at 410-646-6580.

Baltimore Approves GREEN HOUSE Design!

Yesterday afternoon the Baltimore City Planning Commission approved the design for GEDCO's GREEN HOUSE Residences at Stadium Place and the technical details related to the modification of our original "nursing home" concept component of the community (PUD zoning ordinance) and land allocation (subdivision of the property) to accommodate our project.

After the Planning Department staff member assigned to review our project presented the details, the Chairperson asked for anyone present who wished to speak against (thankfully no one) or for the project.

Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke (who represents the area around Stadium Place) then enthusiastically jumped to her feet to praise GEDCO as the sponsoring organization, the concept and execution of our "affordable retirement community," and to remark how proud she is that the first Green House in the State of Maryland offering such a unique brand of "humane," cutting edge care for frail elders embedded in the Green House model will be located in her district.

Councilwoman Clarke embarassed me into getting up to "share my enthusiasm" with the Board members who then responded with some very heartfelt praise for GEDCO and our work in the community. I left feeling like I had just participated in a "love-fest" in honor of everyone who has contributed to our successes over the years!

What's special about the Green House Floor Plan?

The Green House model changes the floor plan and operation of a standard nursing home. Each of our four floors is designed to accommodate 12 elders in private rooms with private bathrooms surrounding a large living area called "the Hearth," complete with a fireplace, large screen TV and comfortable recliners, chairs and sofas. The private rooms are close enough to the Hearth to encourage elders to walk the short distance to participate in the activities, or simply to open their door and observe what others are doing.

An open kitchen with breakfast bar and a large family-style dining table invites residents to linger over a cup of coffee and visit with their housemates and staff. In each residence, meals are prepared from scratch using favorite recipes. The aroma of home-cooked meals fills the air, and there’s always a snack close by, any time, day or night.

There is plenty of access to fresh air and natural light. A large balcony on the west side of the building overlooks the playing fields which will be rebuilt with the support of the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation Residents also have access to a smaller porch on the east side and garden space on the ground floor, including the labyrinth at ThanksGiving Place.

Design Images Release

The renderings or drawings depicted above are for informational purposes only. the renderings or drawings are not intended for use by any parties other than GEDCO, STADIUM PLACE Inc., their successors or assigns. These depictions are schematic in nature and will be subject to change.