Dr. Bill Thomas speaks of his Greenhouse Project, one of several approaches to culture change, as being based
NOT on the physical or organizational structure of a typical nursing home,
NOT on the structure of a hospital, and
NOT on sickness and disability.
Rather, Thomas’ conscious approach, along with his colleagues within the culture change movement, is based on
“An environment worthy of older people,
an environment of intentional community vs. institutionalization.”
Thomas continues, “It is based on a vision of growth, vitality, human development and the “miraculous power of love and affection in the lives of people young and old.”
Does this seem like something all nursing homes should strive for? If you see yourself as someone who might 'end up' in a nursing home, would you choose such an environment over nursing homes as we know them today? In which setting do you think life would be better for you and for the staff?
Does the argument gain any strength with the added fact that the day-to-day operations in a transformed nursing home cost no more than in our traditional nursisng home, with the added fact that staff retention is much higher in transformative nursing homes and that they report much higher job satisfaction?
It's worthy of a good discussion. Add your comment by clicking on the "comment" right below this post and follow the simple directions. "Let's talk."
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
This is a P.S. -- just to get us started. If we really want to reflect that our nursing homes are NOT based on SICKNESS and DISABILITY, would the very name of the community reflect that? My administrative internship was at Nazareth Living Center, a skilled nursing facility. How much healthier and more life-giving that is than if the name had been Nazareth Nursing Center, or Nazareth Convalescent Center. Words both form and reflect our concepts.
ReplyDelete