How smaller long-term care homes can help address big elder-care issues

“CFI leaders said their vision counters a ‘stark decision’ the sector faces. They can either stick with the status quo and fail to provide for the next generation of seniors, or pioneer breaking the cycle. But breaking out of a decades-old rut will mean creating something truly new and different. “

“Healthia is the first care home in Australia to implement the U.S.-founded Green House Project model of care, which is informed by person-directed care principles and supports residents to have increased input into their everyday living.”

Facilities could improve their ventilation systems. They could abandon “semiprivate” rooms for private ones. Dividing buildings into smaller units with consistently assigned staff — an approach pioneered by the Green House Project — would both bolster relationships and reduce residents’ exposure to infection from workers coming and going.

The Green House concept just makes perfect sense for elder care, McAlilly said. “It’s built around the concept of home,” he said. “It’s their home, and we just happen to work there.”