~ Nursing Homes: Transforming Homes for the Dying

into Homes for the Living ...the Eden Alternative

Written by BILL ASENJO

When Bill Thomas graduated from Harvard Medical School he had no

intention of working in a nursing home-too depressing. “I went out of

my way to avoid nursing homes,” says Dr. Thomas.

But Fate intervened, and Thomas became medical director of a home in

New York state. Disturbed by the helplessness, boredom and loneliness

he witnessed, Thomas wondered if these places for the dying couldn't

be transformed into places for the living.

Would the lives of residents benefit if they were involved with “pets,

plants and children” on a daily basis? Securing grant money, Thomas set

up a study to find out if residents' quality of life would improve when

they were treated like people instead of patients. Could creating an

atmosphere of respect and increased autonomy improve their health?

Reduce staff turnover?

The answer to all Thomas's questions: An emphatic “yes” ! The nursing

home residents were given a reason to live... to care for their new

plants, to read to the children that visited, to feed and snuggle with

the dogs and cats. The results revealed a reduced need for medication.

The rate of infection dropped. Morale improved. Fewer staff members

quit. As one 96 year-old resident remarked, “It doesn't feel like a

nursing home, it's the next best thing to my home.”

Now seven years later, the Eden Alternative continues to grow. The

vision has been adopted by over one hundred nursing homes across the

country.

Thomas tells the story of one woman who overcame a devastating

illness because “her birds needed her.” Another woman, who had

Alzheimer's disease, a history of aggressive behavior, was unable to

dress herself, and needed anti-psychotic medicine, was introduced into

an Eden home. The staff let her help take care of some birds, and within

a few months, she was off her anti-psychotic medication and able to

dress herself.

To those concerned and interested in the idea of building an Eden on

Earth for nursing home residents, Thomas and his staff provide a

blueprint for“ Edenizing“ through training and education.

For more information contact the Eden Alternative

Phone: (607)674-5232 fax: (607)674-6723

From a story submitted by Bill Asenjo, PhD candidate, CRC, MS,

Rehabilitation Counselor Education & Aging Studies, The University of

Iowa. Mr. Asenjo co-presented the Eden Alternative at the Iowa

Governor's Conference on Aging, May 18th.

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