Better Together: Inside the Pioneer-Green House Alliance

Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.

– Helen Keller

Penny Cook and Helen Keller are definitely on the same page when it comes to collaboration. Cook believes that together, the Green House Project and Pioneer Network have more momentum toward bringing about necessary cultural transformation in eldercare.

Cook, who is president and CEO of Pioneer Network, joined Green House senior director Susan Ryan during a recent “Elevate Eldercare” podcast to discuss the two groups’ recent alliance. That alliance, which was announced earlier this year, is designed to strengthen the efforts of the two national groups to radically overhaul the current long-term care system into one that is person-centered, empowered, and inviting.

During the podcast Cook and Ryan, who have been professional colleagues for many years, acknowledged the many similarities—and overlapping priorities – between their respective organizations. Even though they recognized the duplicative nature of their work, the pandemic forced them to take action to collaborate in a more formal way. Both believe the two groups can have a greater impact reimaging eldercare by working together.

“I think if we can actually combine resources, combine our strengths and really leverage the best things that both organizations have done and are known for, we can really make the kind of impact that we all really want in the world of senior living,” Cook said.

Founded 25 years ago, Pioneer Network is dedicated to learning and sharing information to influence policy and bring about cultural change in long-term care. The new alliance offers both groups the opportunity to broaden their reach and deepen their impact, she said. Pioneer will assist the Green House team and use its network and tangible resources to enable the new entity to become the “central address” for cultural change, Cook said.

Pioneer’s forte has been in bringing people together to share ideas and information to initiate change. The Green House model offers research-based, practical, and achievable steps to help communities get there. It’s a fabulous and timely combination, and the Green House Project is thrilled to embark on this new alliance that will provide a powerful punch to the reform movement.

Cook succinctly summed up the alliance and its call to action: “Now is the time to truly create and transform our culture of aging and long-term care and senior living. We want to create environments where people want to live and work — and where we will want to live as we grow older. We’re all better together.”

The Green House Project can’t wait to get to work with Pioneer! Be sure to join colleagues from both organizations and register for the Pioneer Network conference July 27-30 in Denver. 

Listen to the Elevate Eldercare podcast on Spotify, Apple, Stitcher, or via The Green House Project’s website, www.thegreenhouseproject.org/podcast.