The Green House Project

As the population of our country ages, most elderly people want to live at home. A special nursing home for nursing is often considered the last resort

In 2001, a foresight pediatrician named Bill Thomas visited the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and discussed the concept designed to abandon the cruel sense of institutionalism in a special nursing home for the elderly. Subsequently, with the support of Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, this concept has evolved into a THEGREENHOUSE® project. It is a small house that brings management, dignity, and happiness to the elderly while offering high quality individual care.

Greenhouse houses are different from traditional sanatoriums in terms of facility size, interior design, organizational structure, staffing pattern, and how to provide skilled and professional services. It is designed from scratch and looks like a real house. Foods are cooked indoors and medical equipment is often hidden in closets. A skilled nurse assistant manages residents' care with additional supervision and management aspects while receiving support from nurses and therapists - reversal of traditional special nursing home for nursing homes

For over a decade, RWJF has supported research on greenhouse concepts, regional and national expansion efforts, and assessment of the impact of greenhouse housing on health and quality of life. To date, more than 260 greenhouse houses are open or under development in 32 states. Generally, surveys show that elderly people at home are happy and healthy.

According to the greenhouse project, greenhouse residents have four times more personal contact with caregivers and roommates than traditional nursing home residents. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, a non-profit organization, grants subsidies to greenhouse development projects, saying residents are "happier and healthier" than general nursing homes. According to Atlantic, the staff reported higher job satisfaction and lower employee turnover rate. According to a study, greenhouse residents are less likely to be hospitalized within a year by 7% less than residents of a conventional nursing home.

Unlike the large nursing home, each greenhouse has fewer than 12 people. Residents have their own bedrooms and bathrooms, respectively, but the living room, kitchen, dining area, and outdoor space are shared according to the Green House project website. This allows you to balance the privacy needs of residents and community needs. Meals are prepared in family style, but residents can eat according to their schedule as necessary. Welcome friends and family visits, CNA staff is managed, provides care, and meets licensing requirements.

Funding from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Thomas has now created what is called the Greenhouse Project. It is designed to help non-profit organizations and companies build nationwide greenhouses. The greenhouses are very different, but there are several things in common - each designed for only 10 to 12 residents, centered around a common living room and cafeteria. Each resident has his own bedroom and bathroom and speaks about the menu of the place of residence. However, the greenhouse is not only confined to architecture, but according to Mr. Scott Brown who engages in greenhouse projects (not to be confused with Massachusetts former US Senator Scott Brown).