LifeBridge Health Home Levindale Medical Services Eden Alternative and Neighborhood Model

Eden Alternative and Neighborhood Model

The Eden Alternative is thriving at Levindale. We're proud to say that we became the first registered Eden Alternative facility in Maryland in 2000.

The goal of Eden is to eliminate loneliness, helplessness and boredom from the daily lives of our residents. We do this by infusing an excitement about life into our center. It is a process that takes years to really blossom, and although we have already implemented the basic changes, we think that making sure that our residents have the best quality of life is a constantly evolving journey.

Among our accomplishments on the journey so far:

• Regular contact with children
  Levindale built two playgrounds and a gazebo area, which helps foster family and intergenerational interaction.

• Interaction with and caring for live-in and visiting pets
  Dogs, cats, and birds live at Levindale. Taking care of pets gives residents a sense of purpose, and they are a wonderful source of companionship.

• Care for plants, gardens and flowers
  A horticultural therapist leads a gardening club and one-on-one sessions. Levindale even built a greenhouse to further enhance the horticultural activities. Residents love the opportunity to plant flowers, vegetables (we now have wheelchair-accessible gardens), and even trees on the grounds of Levindale. The gardening club also participates in making flower arrangements for sicker patients/residents and make such things as potpourri and pressed flower bookmarks.

• Development of "kibbutz" groups
  Part of the Eden Alternative mission is to create a family atmosphere, where small groups are formed. We call them "kibbutzim". These groups meet regularly so members can become better acquainted and help each other with the challenges of daily living. Each kibbutz decides whether to bring a pet onto their neighborhood (unit). If members decide to adopt an animal, they then vote on the kind. Kibbutz leaders conduct the meetings, where issues like problem solving and team building are discussed.

• Creation of unique dining experience
  Levindale residents have restaurant-style choices and a lovely ambience, to enhance the dining experience. They are treated as though they are dining at a restaurant, with a variety of menu choices and hostesses serving their meals.

• Share spontaneity and fun
  Levindale is always looking for ways to involve the residents in something a little out of the ordinary. Our diverse therapeutic recreation program also provides an outlet through music therapy, dance therapy, pottery, exercise, reminiscences, Russian culture, drama, movies, noontime charts, Jeopardy, Bingo, positive thinkers groups and weekly birthday parties.

The next step in Levindale's Eden Alternative journey is the Neighborhood Model. Levindale began turning our units into true neighborhoods in 2006. We continue to really listen to our residents and patients and put their wishes and needs first. In our on-going efforts to make this happen, we are building on a state of the art center with a home-like environment that features more spacious rooms, more privacy, extensive recreational areas, and outdoor space.

The success of the Eden Alternative depends on community support. We are actively seeking volunteers and funds for the expenses surrounding Eden activities. Ways to help include donations of pet supplies, flowers and gardening tools. We are also seeking individuals who can take pets for short respite stays away from Levindale. There are also many other ways to make life worth living for Levindale residents. You can make a difference.

For more information, call 410-601-2400.