November 2013

In This Issue
The Idea that Spurred the Movement: 10 Years of The Green House Project
Free Livestreaming of Select Sessions at The Green House Annual Meeting and Celebration
10 On 10: Ten Leaders In Aging Reflect On Ten Years Of Green House Homes
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Awards Third Major Grant to THE GREEN HOUSE® Project
Barry Berman Earns Prestigious Leading Age Award
Leading Age 2013, a Gathering of Innovators
First Green House homes open in Florida!
Happy Veteran's Day, With Respect, The Green House Project
Highlighting THE GREEN HOUSE® Project Team: Meaghan McMahon, Peer Network Project Manager
Celebrating 10 Years of Leading a Legacy

 

  
On November 12, 2008 Montana Senator Max Baucus-Chairman of the Senate Finance committee says the Green House model should be included in health care reform for 2009.  
  
Also, on November 2, 2012 VA Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, Alabama opens the first of 12 Green House homes for veterans.

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 February 26

 

THE GREEN HOUSE� Webinars

 December 17

 

THE GREEN HOUSE� Financial Webinar

January 28

 

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Green House founder, Dr. Bill Thomas and the first Green House adopter, Steve McAlilly, CEO, Mississippi Methodis Senior Services will both be speaking at The 6th Annual Green House Meeting and Celebration in Boston, MA from November 18-20th. This event is exclusively for Green House organizations and serves as a venue for learning, networking and celebration!  

It is hard to believe that it has only been 10 years since the first Green House homes opened inTupelo, MS. It all began when Green House founder,  Dr. Bill Thomas, had a radical idea that people should age in real homes, rather than institutions. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation agreed, and this model has served as a catalyst for significant social change.  To date, 1579 elders, veterans and people with disabilities live as full and meaningful lives in Green House homes, and gaining momentum to bring this model to a community near you.

 

 

 

panel at GH 2012 conferenceThe Green House Annual Meeting and Celebration is a robust time where organizations who have adopted The Green House model can come together to learn, network and grow together.  Through livestreaming technology, we are opening up our community to everyone who would like to participate in cutting edge culture change sessions and discussions.

For example, last year we had an amazing panel of Green House staff members who spoke to Meaningful Engagement in The Green House home, and how the rhythm of the day and deep know of Elders really impacts what makes life worth living.  View these video clips...

 

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Over the past 10 years, we've worked to change the way elders live in long term care.  Currently, there are 153 open and operating Green House homes 25 states with many more in development. In fact there are 24 more homes scheduled to open in 2014, and we are gaining momentum.  Because of these innovations, over 1550 elders are able to live, grow and thrive in real home environments where they are able to give and receive the care that they need.

In honor of our 10th Anniversary, we reached out to 10 thought leaders in the field of aging, and asked them to share their perspective on the impact that The Green House model has made on aging and long term care.

 

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On November 1, 2013, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation announced a third, three-year grant to NCB Capital Impact to fund The Green House Project.  This $2.75 million grant is designed to build on the successes of the first and second grants' activities and those of our pioneering provider partners. Thirty-five organizations have already adopted the evidence-based Green House model and built 153 homes across the country.  The new grant will aim to significantly expand those adoption numbers, with the goal of making Green House homes an affordable long-term care option in every community.

 

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Barry Berman, CEO of the Chelsea Jewish Foundation (CJF), has been selected by Leading Age as the 2013 Award of Honor Recipient.  This award, the association's highest honor, is given in recognition of Mr. Berman's exemplary leadership and commitment to expanding the world of possibilities for aging.  Individuals from the entire country were considered for this award.  Mr. Berman was selected based upon his outstanding leadership, exceptional service and commitment to quality care.  Under Mr. Berman's direction, CJF developed Massachusetts' first mixed-income assisted living, in addition to developing the nation's first Green House homes in an urban, low-income neighborhood.
  

 

  

Recently, Green House Project team members had the stimuating opportunity to attend Leading Age's 2013 Annual Meeting.  At this gathering of innovative organizations, leaders and vendors from around the country, The Green House model was highlighted on numerous occasions as setting the standard for the future of long term care.

Audrey Weiner, Green House adopter and exiting board chair for Leading Age, opened the conference in full style with bright red boots and a message of hope for the innovative leaders in the room.  The health care landscape is changing, and Ms. Weiner challenged the group to be the providers and organizations that will lead the charge to meet the needs of the field through innovation, strong data and compassion.  She quoted Dr. Bill Thomas, "There is a new old age waiting to be born and the culture change movement will be called upon to attend its birth."

 

  
 
 It's hard to believe half the country now has a Green House home in their state!  In late October Florida became the 25th state when The Green House Residences  opened in Jacksonville.  The homes are part of Brooks Rehabilitation and their Bartram Lakes development.
  
The opening of the two 12-Elder assisted living homes was kicked off with a "Celebrate Aging" event.  The founder of THE GREEN HOUSE� Project, Dr. Bill Thomas was the keynote speaker.

 

 

  

We are thankful for our freedom, and we are humbled by the cost. Today we honor those who protected all that was fought for and the men and women who gave it all. Thank you veterans, you are our true patriots! Hug them, thank them, teach your children of their sacrifices....today and all the days to come.

We are honored to work with Green House homes, including those specifically serving Veterans, who create meaningful lives for our nation's heroes at every stage of life. Cheryl Kennedy is a daughter whose father, Paul, lives at Liberty House at VA Illiana in Danville, IL.  When asked about the impact of living in a Green House home for a veteran, she says...

  
  
Please checkout out our Facebook site for more pictures from Veteran's Day
  
 
Some of Meaghan's warmest childhood memories involve time spent visiting both sets of her grandparents in her hometown of Buffalo, New York.  It is truly where her journey in aging services begins.  She thoroughly enjoyed the time she shared with them and the events they attended together.  In fact, today when Meaghan walks in to an art gallery...she immediately thinks of her grandmother, a teacher, who often took her and her siblings to experience art and other cultural events.
 
Needless to say Meaghan was most comfortable with Elders and chose to do her high school volunteer work at a nursing home.  It was a very traditional skilled nursing home, and she saw a number of Elders that were not engaged, many were lonely and bored.  She knew they deserved a better environment.
  

 

Anna Ortigara
Co-Editor
 
Mary Hopfner-Thomas
Co-Editor
 
Rachel Scher McLean
Co-Editor

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

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