Showing posts with label Why Green House?. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Why Green House?. Show all posts

Friday, May 8, 2009

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.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

A difficult experience with a silver lining

OK, OK, I apologize for not posting again sooner. Unfortunately personal health issues which resulted in a weeks stay at Northwest Hospital Center got in the way, but the silver lining is that I got a first hand exposure to life in an "institutional setting".

The hospital is recently renovated, all private rooms, and an excellent and caring staff, but - wow - forced to be on their schedule: 4am every morning, time to have your blood drawn so the doctor can see the results when(ever) he comes by later in the day; 7am shift change, time to get cleaned up for the day, etc. -  and life in a 10x12 room 24/7 is enough to make you tear your hair out.

Net result - I am even more understanding of the need for culture change in the long term care industry, and have a much fuller appreciation of the benefits of the Green House model. We have to "bring this home" to Stadium Place!