Category: Inspiration

The Second Wind Tour

Dr. El and Dr. Bill Thomas

Last month I had the chance to attend the launch of Dr. Bill Thomas’ new book, Second Wind. Bill Thomas, founder of the Eden Alternative and creator of The Green House, has written many books about changing the culture of care in nursing homes. In his new book, he shifts his focus to helping readers understand the background of our youth-obsessed culture and to encouraging a more positive outlook on aging.

The Second Wind event was a combination of music, drama, education and entertainment that left attendees feeling hopeful, energized, and positive. It was exciting to meet so many like-minded people engaged in improving long-term care. LTC often gets bad press, but there are many, many people out there striving to make things better for our elders.

One of these people is Dan Cohen, MSW, Executive Director of Music & Memory, which is a program designed to bring individualized music via iPods to residents with dementia. I wrote here about the astounding success of this program in engaging elders who have previously seemed lost within their dementia. I met Dan Cohen once before and was pleased to see him again at the Second Wind event, where we took the selfie below.

Dr. El and Dan Cohen, MSW of Music & Memory

I finally visit a Green House — and it blows my mind! (McKnight’s LTC News)

Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News:

I finally visit a Green House (and it blows my mind!)

In my last post, I discussed culture change and its positive impact on the mental health of the residents, particularly at Eden Alternative facilities. I recently also had the opportunity to tour a Green House, which I’d heard about but had never seen. While Eden Alternative homes change the culture of care within existing facilities, The Green House Project creates the “ideal” setting from the ground up.

The template of a Green House is a small building that is home to 10 to 12 residents, or “elders,” and two caregiving “Shahbaz,” which is the plural of Shahbazim. A Shahbazim is an aide trained to do almost everything that needs to be done within the house – providing care for the elders, laundering the clothes and bedding, performing light housekeeping, planning meals, cooking, serving the food, engaging the elders in activities, etc.

The house itself is designed to be more like a home, with private rooms off a large common area that includes a living room, dining area and kitchen.

I found this model turned everything I’d known about nursing homes upside down.

Green Hill visit

The first thing I noticed when I pulled up to Green Hill in West Orange, NJ, aside from the impressive entrance to this former hotel, was that there were parking spots reserved for visitors. By contrast, most of the nursing homes I’ve encountered have reserved spaces for upper level staff. This easily replicable idea offers a person-centered approach even before guests enter the facility.

Green Hill has four Green Houses in addition to its other levels of care. Ten elders reside in each of these small buildings in the back of the campus.

Walking into the Green House was very much like entering someone’s home. As I came through the entryway, there was a small, bright room on my left where I later interviewed one of the elders. On my right was a large, open kitchen. A computer monitor was discreetly tucked in the corner next to a glass cake stand holding a freshly baked cake.

For the entire article, visit:

I finally visit a Green House (and it blows my mind!)

For more on The Green House Project, visit their website.

Green Hill dining area and kitchen

“Dementia Village” in the Netherlands (video)

Many readers are familiar with people with dementia who want to “go home” when staff members leave at the end of their shifts or who “shop” for belongings in the drawers of other residents. It can be challenging for staff to redirect individuals intent upon leaving and upsetting for the people who are being prevented from going where they want to.  “Shopping” is likely to irritate those whose dressers are being ransacked, creating ill will between neighbors on the floor.

In the Netherlands, a facility called Hogewey or “Dementia Village,” has created an entire town set up for residents with severe dementia. They’re encouraged to wander and shop and can spend the afternoon outside, coming home at the end of the day. Their homes have different lifestyle themes, such as culture or crafts or religion, increasing the chances that elders will be living with others that share their interests.

Below is a video from CNN about Dementia Village:

http://youtu.be/LwiOBlyWpko

Dementia Village

Aunt Sylvia keeps busy (video)

Aunt Sylvia keeps busy in her 3rd video.

http://youtu.be/B9pJtYfERN4

Aunt Sylvia makes her walker “festive” (video)

In this video, Aunt Sylvia makes the best of things…

http://youtu.be/PNp0q-LRf9k

‘Derek’ — a long-term care shrink’s view (McKnight’s LTC News)

Here’s my latest article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News:

‘Derek’ — a long-term care shrink’s view

I was very pleased when I heard there was a program about a long-term care facility on British television. Finally we’re getting our props — at least overseas.

“Derek” is the story of a simple but kind middle-aged man who works in a quiet assisted living home with an assortment of misfits who staff the place. The show is alternatively funny and sad and definitely worth watching, especially to see how our work is portrayed to the public.

 For the entire article, visit:

‘Derek’ — a long-term care shrink’s view

More about Ricky Gervais:

Ricky Gervais is not only the star of ‘Derek,’ he also wrote and directed it. Gervais’ past credits include his work on ‘The Office’ and ‘Extras,’ which he co-wrote and co-directed. He had lead roles in both programs. Below, Charlie Rose talks with Ricky Gervais about ‘Derek.’

Ricky Gervais on ‘Charlie Rose’

For more insider info on what it’s like to live and work in a nursing home, read The Savvy Resident’s Guide.

Everything I needed to know I learned from my residents (McKnight’s LTC News)

Here’s my latest article at McKnight’s Long-Term Care News:

Everything I needed to know I learned from my residents

Someone posted a story I Liked on Facebook about an 85-year old woman who graduated from college and already had a job offer. “She’s my new hero!” a Friend commented. That got me thinking about all the resident heroes I meet at work every day. They’re the ones who help me along the journey to having the kind of life I can look back on without regrets when I’m in my nursing home room in my senior years.

Lesson No. 1: Chutzpah

Back when I first started in long-term care, I was called upon to work with many younger residents who were admitted to the facility as a result of unfortunate incidents that occurred while they were taking a walk on the wild side. Their still-wild ways weren’t going over so well in the nursing home, but I admired how they stood up for themselves and their rights.

“Everyone knows not to mess with me,” one young lady declared, “because if they do, I’ll have a hit put out on them.” Wow! Now that’s assertiveness! I thought to myself, as I worried about the nuances of phrasing a request to a coworker.

Yes, threatening to put out a hit on someone was on the extreme side of the assertiveness scale, but wasn’t it possible I was too far on the mild side? Those young residents helped me edge a notch or two closer to asking for a reasonable amount of what I want and need from others.

Lesson No. 2: Keep on keeping on

Nina and Roberta had a routine. In the mornings, they sat in the lobby and greeted all who entered the facility. At lunch, they went from table to table and wished everyone well before dining. In the afternoon, they visited the very ill and prayed with them before returning to the lobby to welcome the evening shift.

In a private discussion with Nina, she talked about her younger years when she preached with her sister on the streets of New York City. Nina is my role model because she lived her whole life doing what she loved, adjusting for changes along the way.

Lesson No. 3: Live for today

For the rest of the article, visit McKnight’s (and please Like, Tweet, and Share the page):  Everything I needed to know I learned from my residents

Cycling Transforms Parkinsons (video)

Amazing:

For more on this: Why We Need More Research into Cycling and Brain Science

For more on bicycles for people with disabilities: Having Fun in a Nursing Home

MBNH Wins as Best Industry Resource!

I’m very pleased to announce that after several weeks of close competition, My Better Nursing Home was voted Best Industry Resource in the Senior Living Awards at SeniorHomes.  Thanks for your votes and congratulations to all the winners and finalists!

Senior Blog? It Can Take a Village

I’ve been reading Marya Methven’s Straw Flowers blog for some time now, imagining her typing away at a laptop perched on her tray table in a Wi-Fi enabled nursing home.  I was surprised to discover how far from the truth my imagination had taken me.  When I heard how the blog was actually maintained, I thought it might inspire people to help more seniors get their thoughts and experiences out into the world.  Imagine your elders transcending the walls of their LTC facility and reaching out to the larger community with their wisdom.  My suggestions, if you decide to move ahead with this:

• Keep it positive and instructive — be the change you want to see in this world.
• Keep it going — it’s easy to start a blog, hard to continue.  Make a frequency commitment you can handle.
• Be aware of privacy and interpersonal issues — consider the impact of what you write on the people around you.
• Be creative — a blog is fun!

The Straw Flowers Example

Step One:  From her LTC facility in Florida, Marya handwrites the blog post early in the morning when her vision is best.  She’s never even seen a laptop!

Step Two:  A friend reads back Marya’s handwritten posts and makes any needed corrections before sending them on to Marya’s daughter Laura in Seattle.

Step Three:  Laura types them up and posts them to the blog.

Step Four:  Another friend prints out the posts and reads them to Marya in Florida.