A 2006 study conducted by Ecumen, a nonprofit provider of senior housing, concluded that 89 percent of baby boomers surveyed want to live their retirement years at home rather than in an assisted-living facility or nursing home.
A shift away from institutionalized care is growing. The percentage of people over 75 in nursing homes fell from 9.6 percent in 1985 to 6.4 percent in 2004, according to the AARP Public Policy Institute.
Elder care experts say the decline reflects the growth of less-restrictive types of care, ranging from assisted living to supervised adult day care. These alternatives are usually less expensive than nursing homes and often provide a superior quality of life.
An emerging concept, a Green House residence might just be the way to go. A Green House is a home for six to 10 elders that is placed within a neighborhood, blending in with the normal population. Each resident has a private unit or bedroom with a private bath. Elder’s rooms look and feel like home and do not have an institutional feel. Safety features are built in but do not dominate the design. Meals are prepared in an open kitchen and the resident is “free from the limitations of an institutional schedule”. The concept is characterized by good, fresh food, a well set table, music, flowers, and good conversation.
A two year study of Green Home residents has demonstrated an improved quality of life for residents and calls this model promising. To check out your state’s rules and regulations for nursing homes and to investigate if this model is accepted in your area, go to http://www.hpm.umn.edu/NHRegsPlus/. This somewhat unattractively designed website is new and provides analyses of regulatory information and other valuable information for providers.
If you are in the market for a Green House, here are some shopping tips:
1. Ask to see the daily menu. Well organized homes will have a recurring menu plan, typically repeating on a five to six week cycle. While it is nice that seasonal vegetables and fruits are supplemental, basic nutritional meals should be planned in advance and the presentation of the foods should be attractive. Ask if special diets can be accommodated and if such a need exists, if there an additional charge.
2. Ask who is responsible for payments related to: medications, disposable medical supplies such as adult diapers, hair care, nail care, and transportation.
3. Ask how often the monthly rent increases, know what it includes and what it does not.
4. Ask about how medical needs, appointments for physician care, dental care, podiatry, eye care, and any other special needs will be met.
You might think that moving an elder to a residential home places additional burden on the family. This has not been my experience. Even the best nursing homes require the family to stay on top of things. Doing so by interacting with a small owner is sometimes easier than working with large facility managers.
You can get additional information about workshops and design help for anyone interested in developing a Green House here.
Nursing Homes Go Green
Aug 11, 2011 | By
