DESIGNING A NURSING HOME

February 2002
		If you could design the ideal nursing home, what would you include? Here are some of your responses. Return to the suggestion page.

Online Focus: Nursing Homes Today Browse the NewsHour's Health Spotlight. Contact Dr. Bill Thomas, founder of the Eden Alternative, at info@edenalt.com	Loren Pogir of San Francisco, CA writes: I would like to see nursing homes located in an urban environment or a neighborhood with mixed ages. I don't understand why I have to drive so far out of the way to find so many potential mentors when they could be living in my own neighborhood. Judi Lazerus of Dallas, TX writes: I watched the segment on The Eden Alternative last night with great interest, as my father is living in a nursing home. I think your philosophy is on the right track. One other ingredient I would encourage is family participation, as the I feel that love and support from family members is just as important ... maybe even more so ... than love and care from the nursing home staff. For those residents who have family living nearby, I would encourage them to visit often and help with minor, non-nursing, tasks such as feeding, assisting with activities or taking the residents for walks. I would offer incentives to the family, such as credits on the nursing home bill, if family would agree to help out on a regularly scheduled basis. This would provide a win-win situation for the residents (they get to see their family) and the nursing home staff (they receive more assistance). For residents who do not have family living nearby, you could find volunteers. Possible candidates might be the (1) family members of other residents or (2) parents of the children in the day care center who could be given credits on their day care fees. Thank you for listening. Alicia Maciel of Brea, CA writes: A good nursing home should grant its residents the opportunity to contribute towards maintaining the place. When my 84 year old grandmother was living with me, it was extremely important for her to feel useful. She wanted to make sure she was contributing toward the household in any way that she could. Washing dishes was one of the few house chores she could do and so she insisted on doing it. The elderly want to feel needed and useful. Therefore, a nursing home should be built to facilitate the active participation of its residents with chores and other activities that will give them a sense of control and help them feel needed and useful. I also think a nursing home should feel "Like Home" to its residents. For example, if I were looking for a Green House to place my grandmother in, I would look for one housing other Spanish speaking residents of hispanic background. One that served Mexican food, played Spanish music and observed/practiced as many of the cultural/religious practices and traditions that my grandmother is used to. I would want my grandmother's transition into a nursing home to be the least disruptive possible and I would want to avoid her experiencing major culture shock at a stage in her life when she is least likely to adapt quickly. I imagine other individuals feel the same way and this is why I think it makes sense that the Green Houses be "Themed" in a way the will promote and facilitate the continuation of its resident's culture and traditions. Thank you
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