Printer Friendly- Senior Resources
- Senior Housing
- Health & Wellness
- The Art of Caregiving
- Spiritual Care
- Helpful Websites
Experience the Eden Alternative
The Eden Alternative philosophy has been a national movement to create home-like atmospheres within long-term care facilities. The philosophy or aspects of the philosophy have been adopted by many Elim Care campuses. The Eden Alternative addresses some of the key needs of elders in long-term care with a fresh, family-like philosophy.
The Eden philosophy sees the long-term care environment as “habitats for human beings” rather than just facilities for the frail or elderly. Much of the distress seen in the typical nursing facility is the result of loneliness, helplessness and boredom. The Eden Alternative helps create homes where life revolves around close and continuing contact with companion animals, plants and children, as well as concerned care-givers. Young and old alike benefit from these healthy, spontaneous relationships.
Another key component of the Eden Alternative is to honor all residents by allowing them to make decisions about their care whenever possible, and by giving decision-making authority into the hands of the caregivers closest to them. Elim’s management structure seeks to support those who provide direct care, giving them the tools and resources to meet the needs of the residents.
Home-like Atmosphere = Happier Seniors
The results? Nationally, those facilities who have adopted Eden Alternative philosophies have fewer patients with prolonged depression, decreased medication usage, less turnover among staff and greater elder and caregiver satisfaction.
But perhaps the best response on why the Eden Alternative works can be found in the residents’ responses: Lois and her husband have been residents of Elim for some time. Although they have many friends in the community as well as among the staff and residents, Lois’ favorite has four legs. Harley, a Bischon cross who has been a “resident” at Elim for three years, loves to snuggle with Lois and go for a ride in her wheelchair. As he sprawls across her lap, you hear her delighted laughter and loving comments.
Empowering employees to make good choices that benefit the elders and providing an environment where residents can once again participate in lively daily activities with children and companion pets offers a healthy, robust environment for the person needing rehabilitation or long-term care.
For more information about the Eden Alternative at an Elim Care campus in your community, please call (952)259-4500.
