September/2015                    

In order to change the way that the world sees aging, it is important to not just implement The Green House model, but also to sustain it.  Through experience and research, we have found that this occurs most successfully when culture change exists throughout the organization, not just within The Green House homes. 
Jefferson County Nursing home in Tennessee opened their three Green House homes in 2010, and have experienced successful outcomes and stories of transformation.  As they look to the future, they have decided to partner again with The Green House Project on a process called, The Legacy Blueprint. 
   
Green House Project Guide  Debbie Wiegand , LNHA and  Rob Simonetti , Senior Associate with SWBR Architects highlight key Green House design lessons learned from over a decade of experience in the webinar "  Build This, Not That: Lessons Learned From a Decade of Green House Home Experience. "  These lessons are supported by research, and have helped Green House adopters to partner with regulators to build residential homes that meet the highest level of skilled nursing licensing standards.

The core values of Real Home, Meaningful Life, and Empowered Staff represent the physical, philosophical, and organizational transformation that allows those working, living, and visiting Green House homes to "feel the difference" when they enter the front door. Design topics are addressed as they relate to The Green House experience, focusing on insight and value of design concepts that foster how the core values are lived and integrated in Green House Homes. Real home design elements are crucial in supporting elders and empowering staff to create a meaningful life within The Green House home. 


via: McKnight's

If you thought you would not have enough time to offer your input on the long-term care regulation reform rule you have just been given another 30 days!
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have extended the comment period  until October 14, 2015.
If you are a Green House adopter or an advocate for culture change it's important we share our vision and core values to change long term care in our country.  The last time regulations were written was 1991!


Culture change advocate, Carmen Bowman who was a Colorado state surveyor for nine years and policy analyst with CMS Central Office, strongly urges everyone to make sure their voice is heard on the proposed changes!

 
 



 
This year marks some major celebrations when you think of programs for Elders in this country.  80 years for Social Security and the Golden Anniversary for the Older Americans Act as well as Medicare and Medicaid.
Medicare was signed into law on July 30, 1965; however it was a  much debated piece of legislation in a variety of forms prior to that historic date!  In many ways it may remind you of the debate that continues today about health care coverage in our country and how it should be provided.
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It's an amazing statistic and there are many more that accompany it:
  • It is the 6th leading cause of death in our country
  • It is the only cause of death in the top 10 in America that cannot be prevented, cured or slowed
  • One in three Elders die with Alzheimer's or another dementia
  • Almost two thirds of Americans with Alzheimer's disease are women
The World Month was established to raise awareness and to increase education about the disease.  It is designed to encourage people all around the world to spot the signs of dementia, but also not to forget about loved ones who are living with dementia, or those who may have passed away.
The 2015 report titled "The Global Impact of Dementia" was included in a recent article by  Long-Term Living.  It commented on five statistics that we should all know.

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Issue: 9
In This Issue
  
Last year, when Claremont, CA resident Bill Andrus began to need 24-hour care in their home, he and his wife, Georgeann, chose Mt. San Antonio Gardens' Evergreen Villas for his new home. The Villas are trademarked  GREEN HOUSE homes, which provides a real home for people needing skilled nursing care. In each of the two villas, the residents are supported by a small, self-managed team of care partners, known as shahbazim, and nurses. Mt. San Antonio Gardens pioneered what are California's first and only small homes licensed for skilled nursing.
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Upcoming Events:



 

 

See YOU at the Conference!

AHFSA Conference Charleston, SC
Sept 28-30


LeadingAge
Boston, MA
Nov 1 - 4

 

 


The Green House Project Team
The Green House Project
(703) 647-2311
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Mary Hopfner-Thomas

Co-Editor

mhopfnerthomas@capitalimpact.org

 

Rachel Scher McLean

Co-Editor

rmclean@capitalimpact.org

 

 

THE GREEN HOUSE Newsletter

Published monthly to share information with providers, elders and others about THE GREEN HOUSEĀ® Project, a new and innovative approach to long-term, skilled nursing care. To learn more, visit www.thegreenhouseproject.org