In the United States a movement has begun that is changing the way long
term care communities are being operated. This exciting culture change has
taken off across the country and is slowing making its way into long term care
institutions of Texas. The Eden
Alternative model revolves around creating human habitats that promote growth
and purpose for both Elders and their caregivers.
It all started
when the founder, Dr. Bill Thomas, began serving as a local nursing home
doctor. As he was making his rounds one day, he asked
one of his aging patients if there was anything he could do for her today. Her
response was, “Doctor, I’m so lonely!” He went home that night and
scanned every medical index in existence in search of a treatment for
loneliness, but there was nothing. The following day, Dr. Thomas went to the
nursing home and observed the environment. What he saw were his Elders
suffering – not from physical ailments but from plagues of the human spirit: loneliness,
helplessness, and boredom. He began to imagine a different kind of world … a
place where humans could actually live and not sit around waiting to die. And
so began the story of The Eden
Alternative.
The
core concept of The Eden Alternative
is simple. Through a set of principles and training strategies, this
alternative can help transform the places where Elders live, and create places
where these Elders will live and thrive.
Currently
there are over 300 communities nationwide that have qualified as Eden
Registered homes. Texas, however, is home to only three of these Eden homes. In
Flower Mound Texas, there is a community that has recently began their Eden
journey in hopes of becoming the only
registered Eden Alternative assisted
living in the entire state. Kim Geron, the Administrator at Flower Mound
Assisted Living said, “When I personally began looking for a home for my aging
parents, it became very clear to me that these senior ‘institutions’ were just
that … institutions. Institution being a word that is commonly associated with
white walls and locked doors. I knew they deserved more! The Eden Alternative is an amazing culture change that was
developed to give Elders the kind of life they deserve. A life that is full of
purpose, meaning, spontaneity, laughter, companionship, and growth. Just because you become older, doesn’t mean
you are done living.”
Flower
Mound Assisted living is hosting a training for anyone interested in becoming
an Eden Associate on June 12th, 13th, and 14th at their
community. They are inviting leadership
teams, organizations, and anyone along the entire care continuum, who are
interested in initiating a positive culture change and journey into their
organization, to please join them. If you would like
information on this exciting training opportunity, contact Tiffany Smith at
972-539-9444 or on their website at flowermoundalf.com.
