April 2014

In This Issue
Talk about The Green House Project during National Nursing Home Week
Second Wind Tour Update
Investing in Staff Retention
Episcopal Homes of Minnesota: Despite Harsh Winter, Major construction Progress has Occured
Toni Lynn Davis: Best Fifty Women in Business in NJ
THRIVE Research Update
Green House Homes 
"In the News"

 

Upcoming Events

  

Eden Alternative Conference

April 30 - May 2

 

THE GREEN HOUSE� Project Overview Webinar

May 13

 

THE GREEN HOUSE� Project Financial Webinar

Resources

   
  
  
  

Follow us on


Find us on Facebook View our profile on LinkedIn Follow us on Twitter Visit our blog

Join Our Mailing List

Are you interested in spreading the word about the Green House model and bringing Green House homes to your community? You're invited to join Green House adopters and enthusiasts across the country during National Nursing Home Week from May 11-17 to educate your local communities and policymakers about The Green House difference.

 

This year, the American Health Care Association is using the Hawaiian theme, "Living the Aloha Spirit," for National Nursing Home Week. According to their website, the aloha spirit means that "... the people of Hawaii are encouraged to treat others with deep care, respect and humility, leading to individuals creating a better world." The Green House model's core values of Meaningful Life, Empowered Staff, and Real Home, align closely with this year's theme and we are excited to invite communities across the country to see the difference that our model offers.

 

To see how you can get involved, click here.

It was an exciting start for the Second Wind Tour in the Mid-Atlantic!  Thanks to all who attended...and we look forward to meeting those who will be in the audience over the next several weeks.  If you would like to attend...learn more about the dates and locations here.

Are you curious about what Dr. Bill Thomas thought about that first week of the tour?  Read his blog "Life on the Second wind Tour Bus".

 


  

None of us would argue that staff turnover creates a host of problems for organizations.  Staff retention is vital from a quality perspective, but what about the economic impact it plays for a health care provider?

 

The issue is explored by the Director of THE GREEN HOUSE� Project, David Farrell and PHI Strategic Advisor, Steven Dawson, in the Spring/Summer 2014 publication of the Indiana Health Care Association "Insight".

 

High turnover of your direct care workers can mean reduced quality of care, increased stress for the staff, inefficiencies across many levels, the constant need to recruit and train-which lead to some very high dollar issues.

 

Continue reading


While we are all anxiously waiting for spring to truly arrive this year, none could be wishing for that more than the construction workers on the project for the Episcopal Homes of MinnesotaWarmer weather and fewer snow storms will be welcomed with open arms! 

Despite the tough winter season, major progress has been made on the $45 milliondollar project.

 

Midway Village will provide a variety of living options for Elders including skilled nursing services in The Green House homes.  Ten Elders will live in each of the six homes which is being called "Episcopal Church Home - The Gardens".  Not only will Elders enjoy their own bedroom, bath, home cooking, a hearth and balcony or terrace...they will also be able to enjoy the laughter of children each day.  A day care center will be part of Midway Village.  It's something the organization has wanted to do for years, but they never had the space to provide the services.

 

Continue reading

 

And, a special Congratulations to Jean Probst, a long time board member of Episcopal Homes of Minnesota, a Green House adopter, for being honored with Trustee of the Year!  Jean was honored at this year's Aging Services of Minnesota Institute and Expo.

 

 

An innovator is described as a person who introduces new methods, ideas, or products.  That definition truly describes Toni Lynn Davis, the President and CEO

 at Green Hill, Inc.  She has spent her career implementing new and innovative practices to improve the lives of Elders in New Jersey.  The first Green House homes were opened under her leadership in that state, and she

 has been a champion for culture change in aging services for many years.  So, it's not surprising that NJBIZ selected Toni as one of the Best Fifty Women in Business in New Jersey.  The awards ceremony was held in late March and was a special evening for those being honored.

 

Click here to read about Toni's story in the awards ceremony official program (see page 11).  In addition to her very successful work at Green Hill, Toni serves the State of New Jersey as a policy expert in the area of Elder-first long-term care as a board member of Leading Age New Jersey.

 

The Green House Project has partnered with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's THRIVE (The Research Initiative Valuing Eldercare) collaborative to learn more about the Green House model as well as other models of care. Supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the THRIVE team is conducting a series of interrelated research projects that together will comprise the largest research effort undertaken to date in Green House homes. Each quarter, a member of the THRIVE team will contribute a blog post to the Green House Project website. 

Early findings from the THRIVE research collaborative were published in The February 2014 Gerontologist supplement, Transforming Nursing Home Culture: Evidence for Practice and Policy, a themed issue providing evidence to inform practice and policy related to culture change.  The full articles can be accessed here.


Continue reading 

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

Tara Cugelman-McMahon
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.
  

Join the Conversation

Working in a Green House home or organization? Join the Green House Forum! For more information visit our Web site or email [email protected].