The green house project

Whispera, MSN, RN · Jul 21, 2011

I'm thinking I've heard about what you're asking about, and have some experience with it, but can't remember the name of the man who started the program...William something or other? If so, I have a high opinion of the idea, but won't talk about details until I know that's who you're talking about.

(silly lack of memory = me)

SneakySnake · Jul 22, 2011

Yes Dr. William Thomas! The address for the website is:

http://www.thegreenhouseproject.org/

I wrote a research paper in high school about the institutionalization of the elderly population and LTC facilities. I used

Life Worth Living: How Someone You Love Can Still Enjoy Life in a Nursing Home - The Eden Alternative in Action

as one of my sources for the paper. The green house project takes his origional ideas one step further and designs the whole facility (the actual building, not just the atmosphere) around the needs of the residents.

I would love the chance to visit a Green House Home but there are none in my state. I am so curious to find out more, and to see what nurses who have worked in this environment think.

Whispera, MSN, RN · Jul 22, 2011

Yes, that's his name! My husband is an architect and has worked with Dr. Thomas on designing Green House homes. I worked for a healthy seniors center that sponsored a workshop featuring Dr. Thomas, over 10 years ago. We both spent some time with him one week and I found him to be an open, caring, very motivated person who truly wants to improve the quality of life for our elderly.

There are nursing homes all over the country that use some/many of his ideas. Where are you located? I'll check to see if my husband has any memory of such homes in your area, where you might talk to someone, just in case there are some that don't advertise their philosophy. My own mom was in such a home for her last years. From a daughter's perspective, parts of it were wonderful, and parts weren't practical. I think the philosophy is wonderful but implementing it isn't as easy as one might think, since it's a new way of thinking.

Have you read his book, Lessons from Hannah: Secrets to a Life Worth Living ? I'd recommend it.

GHrscher · Jul 25, 2011

Good Morning! My name is Rachel Scher, and I work for the National Green House Project. It is really exciting to see this conversation occuring amongst nurses of gerontology. In the Green House model, we radically change the paradigm of Long Term Care in three areas, the philosophy, the environment and the organizational design.

The philosophy creates a world where all people are seen as creative, resourceful and whole. Aging is seen as a developmental process of growth rather than a disease to be managed. Nurses in this model are seen as Gerontological Experts, Teachers, Mentors and Care Role Models.

The environment is the most obvious change. Green House homes are warm, smart and green-- meaning that the environment is a place where Dr. Thomas' principles of growth, smart use of technology and intential community can thrive.

The organizational redesign is a radical shift to move power into the home-- to the elder, or those who know them best. The role of the nurse changes to work in partnership with the direct care staff (shahbaz). In this paradigm, a clinical care team of excellence is created by bringing the valuable skills of the direct care worker, and the professional skillset of the nurse together for the good of the elder.

Please visit our website www.thegreenhouseproject.org for more information or to sign up for an informational webinar