Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital has become the first registered Eden Alternative� facility in Maryland. The term was coined by Harvard-trained physician William Thomas, M.D., who has led a national effort to improve the quality of life in conventional nursing homes.
The core concept of The Eden Alternative is quite simple: Nursing homes should be viewed as habitats that promote growth and human development rather than as institutions for frail, elderly residents. To that end, The Eden Alternative strives to eliminate what Thomas calls the three plagues of long-term care institutions: loneliness, helplessness and boredom.
Eden Alternative homes are filled with plants, vegetable gardens, pets and children, which are considered antidotes to these plagues. At the same time small family� groups made up of residents, staff and volunteers are established, and together they make decisions about what time to eat, whether or not to get a pet and other daily tasks. The goal is to empower residents by making life worth living,� said Levindale president and COO Ron Rothstein. We strive to bring meaning to everyday life here because, no matter how limited we are physically or otherwise, we all need to have a sense of purpose in our lives and have fun at the same time,� Rothstein added.
As a first step toward Edenization,� Levindale recently erected a large playground and gazebo area on the main grounds. The wheelchair-accessible area will allow children, families and Levindale residents to interact with ease. Meanwhile, growing numbers of schoolchildren and youth groups visit regularly and are partnered with different residents. A greenhouse is nearing completion as well, providing opportunities for those who enjoy gardening. Levindale hired a horticultural therapist to coordinate those activities.
Variety and spontaneity of life are hallmarks of The Eden Alternative. Residents and staff are encouraged to have as much fun as possible while building stronger personal relationships. Nevertheless, Rothstein stressed that The Eden Alternative is a work in progress,� evolving as issues concerning residents arise. It will take several years to fully implement. In time, specially selected dogs, cats and birds will join the Levindale family--actually living at Levindale--to be cared for jointly by staff and residents. It�s time we changed the focus of nursing homes from a medical model to a more social model, to balance people�s inherent need to give and receive care,� said Rothstein.
