Every conference year the same question arises: How will we engage potential conference goers before they even arrive at the conference? About 5 weeks ago, my colleague Danna and I were scratching our heads – what to do this time?
20 practices down. Only 8 to go in our #GivingTuesday Countdown Challenge. Today, our focus is on Practices 21-28. For those of you just jumping in, this is our 4th week together unpacking a set of 28 simple practices designed
The Eden Alternative is coming up in some interesting conversations lately. In the last 2 weeks alone, we have landed on the pages of the AARP Bulletin, scored an interview with Mary Eileen Williams of Feisty Side of Fifty Radio,
Our #GivingTuesday Countdown Challenge 13 practices down. 15 to go. Today, our focus is on Practices 14-20. As I said in Part 1 of this 4-blog series, we see GivingTuesday (December 3) as a chance to engage lots of different
Our #GivingTuesday Countdown Challenge Six practices down. Twenty-two to go. Today, we will unpack Practices 7-13. As I said last week in the first part of this 4-blog series, we see #GivingTuesday (Dec. 3) as an opportunity to engage lots
In honor of #GivingTuesday on December 3, we are giving you the gift of care. We bring you our #GivingTuesday Countdown Challenge. Each week, between now and December 3, we will post a new set of caring practices that put the person
Dr. Eleanor Feldman Barbera’s article in McKnights, “What worries me about trauma-informed care,” raises key concerns about implementation of the Phase 3 CMS mandates for nursing homes, and is a must-read as we seek to do the right thing in
We recently welcomed our newest Registry Member, The Oaks at Hampton! Located in Cumming, GA, this assisted living community knows what home is. As a part of Oaks Senior Living, the philosophy they live by is to enrich the lives
Years ago, while volunteering each week at a local organization, I met a nice guy, Jim, who always wore the same hat… day in, day out. The rest of us benignly speculated about the ever-present hat… did he ever take
The Eden Alternative has lost a vital part of our global family – Paul Bailey, Eden Educator and Mentor in the UK. Paul and his wife, June, founded the Eden Alternative UK & Ireland in 2005. Together, they made a
Guest bloggers Jennifer Carson and Pat Sprigg reflect on how to navigate life, we must embrace its complexity. Dementia support is no different. This blog was originally posted in ChangingAging.org. Some of the most important and sacred experiences in life
Dr. Bill and Jude Thomas, Eden Alternative Co-Founders, hit the road along the Atlantic seaboard recently to connect with Elders and others in the spirit of gratitude. What inspired this journey? A desire to “express gratitude for the Elders we
A recent post in McKnight’s suggests that better employee/family member relationships might improve employee retention. This caught my eye, as I came to this work as a highly engaged family member. I can affirm that making every effort to deepen
A.G. Rhodes Health and Rehab – Cobb in Marietta, Georgia, joined the Eden Registry on April 27, 2018. For more than 110 years, A.G. Rhodes has served the Atlanta community by creating a warm family environment, where every Elder is
Our new President & CEO shares this touching reminder that together we are stronger. I travel a lot for work. But no matter how many flights I’ve been on I still get a little squeamish, especially in small planes and
It is little more than a week until we convene the 2018 Eden Alternative International Conference. What better person could we call upon to pump up hundreds of change agents than Co-founder Dr. Bill Thomas? I recently had the pleasure
Residents and Elders at St. Paul’s in Greenville, PA, benefit throughout the year from the collaboration that St. Paul’s has with Thiel College. The Joining Generations organization has three different components: Internships, Academics and Student Service. The team at St.
What a pleasure it was to chat with Karen Stobbe and Mondy Carter of In the Moment about their groundbreaking work with improv and transforming relationships with those living with dementia. Check out this interview to learn how it all
Prairie Elder Homes in Overland Park, KS, joined the Eden Registry in January 30, 2018. Prairie Elder Homes are small residential homes that are purposefully located in residential neighborhoods. The setting is intimate with only eight residents and employee care
Signature Healthcare at Jackson Manor in Annville, Kentucky, joined the Eden Registry on January 23, 2018. This small rural community takes creating home very seriously by making sure that everyone that lives and works there has a strong sense of
Parker at Stonegate, Highland Park, NJ, joined the Eden Registry on January 4, 2018. Life at Parker at Stonegate is often compared to living at a luxury resort, where so many of your needs are taken care of that all
Parker at Monroe in Monroe, NJ, joined the Eden Registry on December 29, 2017. Home to 96 Elders, Parker at Monroe provides round-the clock, person-directed care services, including memory care for individuals living with all stages of dementia, who may
Go ahead, ask anyone working in any field today what their biggest challenge is. What do you think they will say? My experience has been that their answer is “communication” or some topic along that vein. Communication is a big
Signature HealthCARE of Glasgow Rehab & Wellness Center in Glasgow, KY joined the Eden Registry on December 28, 2017. Located in south central Kentucky, this community offers a wide variety of entertainment, historical sites, lakes, rivers, and some of the
New Horizons Tower in Toronto, ON joined the Eden Registry on December 21, 2017. This gorgeous high-rise building in the center of Bloordale Village is home to 88 Elders. Ideally located in the heart of its neighborhood, Elders have easy
Signature Healthcare of Hartford Rehab and Wellness Center in Hartford, Kentucky, joined the Eden Registry on August 31, 2017. The 94 Elders that live here benefit from the home’s central location in the City of Hartford. They are steps away
Signature Healthcare at Colonial in Bardstown, Kentucky joined the Eden Registry on June 29, 2017. Located in the historic and beautiful town of Bardstown, there are 55 Elders who call this amazing place home. Bardstown is so quaint that according
The Elders at Wesley Manor, located in Hattiesburg, MS, recently made a road trip to Red Bluff, nicknamed “Mississippi’s Grand Canyon.” A couple living at Wesley Manor came back from a trip to Red Bluff with pictures and stories that
Spending time with leaders who are open to new ideas and challenging their assumptions can be very inspiring. I recently had the privilege of spending two days with such a group of leaders. We were talking about the challenges of
Christie Gardens in Ontario, Canada joined the Eden Registry on March 27, 2017. Located in Toronto’s Davenport Neighborhood, near Seaton Village and The Annex, Christie Gardens Apartments & Care has been serving Elders in Toronto for over 30 years. The
Signature Healthcare of Spencer County in Taylorsville, KY joined the Eden Registry on March 17, 2017. Located about 20 minutes from Louisville they are nestled in a valley surrounded by beautiful mountains and hills. The towns of Louisville and Taylorsville
Mission at Community Rehab and Assisted Living in Centerfield, Utah joined the Eden Registry on February 20, 2017. This home is located in the quaint little country town of Centerfiled, Utah, a town that is rich in history and community.
Signature Healthcare at Summit Manor Rehab and Wellness Center in Columbia, Kentucky joined the Eden Registry on December 16, 2016. They are home to 97 Elders and have divided their community into four neighborhoods between the two floors. There is
The Sagewood Continuing Care Community in Sackville, NS joined the Eden Registry on December 9, 2016. They are creating home for 50 Elders in their relaxed comfortable cottages. There are four cottages within the home with private bedrooms for each
I’m posting from the 2016 Leading Age Annual Meeting in Indianapolis and have just returned from a panel discussion about the age-friendly community movement. This global initiative takes a systems approach to creating communities that accommodate and value people of
This article of mine was published in PS Magazine, Issue 15 on Page 16. It’s based on a personal story that affirms, without a doubt, that home is where the heart is. Jackie loves the arts… opera in particular. At
Dad’s lesson #5 is that specialists aren’t always special. Nancy Fox would tell you that as human beings, we are all about creating constituencies. It is amazing how fast a group of complete strangers can bond and begin to demonstrate
Life coach Martha Beck’s book, Finding Your Way in a Wild New World, captures the key qualities of what she calls a “Wayfinder.” (No, Martha is not my kin, by the way.) Wayfinders, by her definition, look a lot like culture
Lesson #4 from Dad is about the power of communication. We definitely experienced some poor communication during our journey with Dad. Part of it was the communication that should have happened, but didn’t. For example, when we said “no” to
Venetian Care and Rehabilitation Center in South Amboy, NJ, joined the Eden Registry on August 29, 2016. This beautiful new community completed in 2014 is home to 180 empowered Elders. Venetian was intentionally designed to create a sense of smallness
Lesson #3 from Dad’s end-of-life journey was all about the search for meaning. Eden Alternative Principle Six states: “Meaningless activity corrodes the human spirit. The opportunity to do things we find meaningful is essential to human health.” When we teach
I am always so inspired by this organization’s commitment to living the ten principles of The Eden Alternative in big ways. Undaunted, they have changed lives by arranging multiple Elder vacations for the people who live in their communities. There was
My father passed away recently. It was unexpected; a stroke. Our family found ourselves in a 3-week journey with Dad that was infuriating, exasperating, surprising, and heartwarming all at the same time. I suspect it was much the same as
This article was published in PS Magazine in the November/December 2015 issue, Pages 22-23. After my mother passed away in 2010, my family gathered at a Mexican restaurant in San Antonio, Texas to take comfort in the ballads sung
Pete Rose is the all-time Major League leader in hits, games played, and at-bats. He won three World Series rings, three batting titles, one Most Valuable Player Award, two Gold Gloves, the Rookie of the Year Award, and also made
On Monday, ChangingAging posted a piece by Beth Baker featuring the work we do at The Eden Alternative through our Eden at Home initiative. It offers a powerful example of how one home and community-based organization in North Carolina is
You’ve all heard people say that a “little turnover is expected as leaders change.” I’ve heard it too. The other thing I’ve heard is “turnover is a good thing during a transition. It is a chance to get the right
“How has Mrs. Smith handled change in the past?” This was how we predicted how well a new nursing home resident would cope with adjusting to placement in 1983. For the most part, this simplistic rule of thumb seemed to
Yesterday, the Washington Post published an article entitled “Promise You’ll Never Put Me in a Nursing Home.” I agree with Dr. Bill’s Thomas’ assertion in this piece that having the right language for what we’re asking for is really the
Parkside Community in Chase, British Columbia, Canada, joined the Eden Alternative Registry on January 7, 2016, as our first new Registry Member of 2016. This is truly a living center with empowered Elders and employee care partners driving the rhythm
Points West Living Lloydminster in Lloydminster, Alberta, Canada joined the Eden Alternative Registry on 12/17/2015. There are 65 Elders that live in this vibrant and lively home. To create close and caring relationships, they are divided into 5 smaller cottages.
Last summer, we had the pleasure of working with 20 nursing homes from California and Colorado for a grant project of ours. One of the grant activities involved connecting project participants with culture change leaders who had an exceptional track
In 2014, the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) awarded The Eden Alternative grant dollars to support Oklahoma’s reduction of antipsychotic drug use through the delivery of Dementia Beyond Drugs training.
Hannah O’Hara Thomas passed away today. She lived 17-and-a-half years longer than anyone predicted. While it is so painful, tragic, and downright unfair that she left us after only 18 years, I believe that in that time she lived more
Imagine that an Elder is at the end-of-life and surrounding her bedside are 4-6 people tenderly singing songs that are meaningful to her. Their voices are creating an environment that is providing peace and tranquility for her and the care partners who are with her at that time.
A group of Elders at Denali Center recently started a Recognition Task Team to celebrate and thank specific staff for the work that they do. One elder shared with a staff member who was having a rough day that she needs to receive, as well as give, and find balance.
Park Place Elder Living in Mt. Pleasant, IA has been holding community meetings with all care partners (Elders, employees, and family members) for six years now. For them, it has remained a vibrant and important gathering time for the community which helps them to grow closer and improve life throughout the home.
Life is full of choices, and making choices can be really hard at times. For me, going to Cheesecake Factory to eat is always a challenge….so many great choices on the menu! But in the big scheme of things, choosing a menu item doesn’t mean a lot and really only affects me.
Principle Ten of The Eden Alternative states that “Wise leadership is the lifeblood of any struggle against the three plagues. For it, there can be no substitute.”
Traceway Retirement Community is an Eden Registry Member in Tupelo, MS. Their employees unite with the larger community to help show their Eden Alternative journey, not just talk about it. Not only do they work to eliminate the three plagues
As we count down to the conference, we’ve been talking to best-selling author John King about his book, Tribal Leadership. Labeled an “unusually nuanced view of high-performance cultures,” Tribal Leadership frames leadership in terms of five distinct stages, each involving
“People in Stage Two have pretty much taken themselves out of the game. They find themselves cynical or in despair, so they’ve disconnected from others in the workspace,” says John King, Tribal Leadership.
The first time I met Bill Thomas was in 1996 in San Marcos, Texas. My father was living with Alzheimer’s disease and had found home in a long-term care community new to the Eden Alternative journey. In town for an
The team here at the The Eden Alternative constantly reminds me about the importance of language in creating a true person-directed care environment. An article in today’s issue of McKnight’s makes the point very nicely. One of the most common
Signature HealthCARE of Erin joined the Eden Registry on November 20, 2013. This home is snuggled in the quaint little town of Erin, Tennessee where folks often come together to lend a helping hand to one another. Community matters in
Communicating with Elders during transitions in care is crucial. Strangers cannot communicate well with strangers, or about strangers. If the use of healthcare resources, especially hospital care, is to be optimized to the individual, then relationships have to be built
It seems like there are many stories that are coming into my life lately that centered around eliminating the plague of helplessness. This is a wonderful change. It is easy for many of us to understand the concepts and feelings
With a big nod to Angie McAllister over at Quality of Life, I’d like to share a story of replacing medication with a care partnership. Angie’s full post can be found here regarding a research project studying the drawdown of medication
Why the Virtual Zoom Tour Matters
Every conference year the same question arises: How will we engage potential conference goers before they even arrive at the conference? About 5 weeks ago, my colleague Danna and I were scratching our heads – what to do this time?
28 Simple Practices for Inspired Influencers, Part 4
20 practices down. Only 8 to go in our #GivingTuesday Countdown Challenge. Today, our focus is on Practices 21-28. For those of you just jumping in, this is our 4th week together unpacking a set of 28 simple practices designed
Stirring It Up: The Eden Alternative Gets Some Air Time
The Eden Alternative is coming up in some interesting conversations lately. In the last 2 weeks alone, we have landed on the pages of the AARP Bulletin, scored an interview with Mary Eileen Williams of Feisty Side of Fifty Radio,
28 Simple Practices for Inspired Influencers, Part 3
Our #GivingTuesday Countdown Challenge 13 practices down. 15 to go. Today, our focus is on Practices 14-20. As I said in Part 1 of this 4-blog series, we see GivingTuesday (December 3) as a chance to engage lots of different
28 Simple Practices for Inspired Influencers, Part 2
Our #GivingTuesday Countdown Challenge Six practices down. Twenty-two to go. Today, we will unpack Practices 7-13. As I said last week in the first part of this 4-blog series, we see #GivingTuesday (Dec. 3) as an opportunity to engage lots
28 Simple Practices for Inspired Influencers, Part 1
In honor of #GivingTuesday on December 3, we are giving you the gift of care. We bring you our #GivingTuesday Countdown Challenge. Each week, between now and December 3, we will post a new set of caring practices that put the person
First, Do No Harm
Dr. Eleanor Feldman Barbera’s article in McKnights, “What worries me about trauma-informed care,” raises key concerns about implementation of the Phase 3 CMS mandates for nursing homes, and is a must-read as we seek to do the right thing in
Welcoming The Oaks at Hampton
We recently welcomed our newest Registry Member, The Oaks at Hampton! Located in Cumming, GA, this assisted living community knows what home is. As a part of Oaks Senior Living, the philosophy they live by is to enrich the lives
What You Don’t Know CAN Hurt You…And Others
Years ago, while volunteering each week at a local organization, I met a nice guy, Jim, who always wore the same hat… day in, day out. The rest of us benignly speculated about the ever-present hat… did he ever take
Remembering Paul Bailey
The Eden Alternative has lost a vital part of our global family – Paul Bailey, Eden Educator and Mentor in the UK. Paul and his wife, June, founded the Eden Alternative UK & Ireland in 2005. Together, they made a
No Control Freaks Allowed: Embracing the Complexity of Dementia Support
Guest bloggers Jennifer Carson and Pat Sprigg reflect on how to navigate life, we must embrace its complexity. Dementia support is no different. This blog was originally posted in ChangingAging.org. Some of the most important and sacred experiences in life
Gratitude Helps Us Grow – Dr. Bill & Jude Thomas’ Gratitude Tour
Dr. Bill and Jude Thomas, Eden Alternative Co-Founders, hit the road along the Atlantic seaboard recently to connect with Elders and others in the spirit of gratitude. What inspired this journey? A desire to “express gratitude for the Elders we
Stronger Together: Deepening Employee and Family Member Relationships
A recent post in McKnight’s suggests that better employee/family member relationships might improve employee retention. This caught my eye, as I came to this work as a highly engaged family member. I can affirm that making every effort to deepen
A.G. Rhodes Health and Rehab – Cobb Joins the Eden Registry
A.G. Rhodes Health and Rehab – Cobb in Marietta, Georgia, joined the Eden Registry on April 27, 2018. For more than 110 years, A.G. Rhodes has served the Atlanta community by creating a warm family environment, where every Elder is
Bumps, Bubble Gum, and Bravery
Our new President & CEO shares this touching reminder that together we are stronger. I travel a lot for work. But no matter how many flights I’ve been on I still get a little squeamish, especially in small planes and
Changing Aging with Dr. Bill Thomas
It is little more than a week until we convene the 2018 Eden Alternative International Conference. What better person could we call upon to pump up hundreds of change agents than Co-founder Dr. Bill Thomas? I recently had the pleasure
Intergenerational Opportunities Make a Difference
Residents and Elders at St. Paul’s in Greenville, PA, benefit throughout the year from the collaboration that St. Paul’s has with Thiel College. The Joining Generations organization has three different components: Internships, Academics and Student Service. The team at St.
Karen Stobbe and Mondy Carter are IN THE MOMENT
What a pleasure it was to chat with Karen Stobbe and Mondy Carter of In the Moment about their groundbreaking work with improv and transforming relationships with those living with dementia. Check out this interview to learn how it all
Giving Community, Connection, and Control Back to the Elders – Welcome Prairie Eldercare to the Eden Registry
Prairie Elder Homes in Overland Park, KS, joined the Eden Registry in January 30, 2018. Prairie Elder Homes are small residential homes that are purposefully located in residential neighborhoods. The setting is intimate with only eight residents and employee care
Please Welcome Signature Healthcare’s 50th Home to the Eden Registry – Signature Healthcare at Jackson Manor
Signature Healthcare at Jackson Manor in Annville, Kentucky, joined the Eden Registry on January 23, 2018. This small rural community takes creating home very seriously by making sure that everyone that lives and works there has a strong sense of
Eden Welcomes the first Registry Member of 2018 – Parker at Stonegate!
Parker at Stonegate, Highland Park, NJ, joined the Eden Registry on January 4, 2018. Life at Parker at Stonegate is often compared to living at a luxury resort, where so many of your needs are taken care of that all
Parker of Monroe Ends 2017 Eden Strong!
Parker at Monroe in Monroe, NJ, joined the Eden Registry on December 29, 2017. Home to 96 Elders, Parker at Monroe provides round-the clock, person-directed care services, including memory care for individuals living with all stages of dementia, who may
Communication, a Key Ingredient to Individualized Care
Go ahead, ask anyone working in any field today what their biggest challenge is. What do you think they will say? My experience has been that their answer is “communication” or some topic along that vein. Communication is a big
Signature HealthCARE Rounds Out 2017 with its 49th Registry Member!
Signature HealthCARE of Glasgow Rehab & Wellness Center in Glasgow, KY joined the Eden Registry on December 28, 2017. Located in south central Kentucky, this community offers a wide variety of entertainment, historical sites, lakes, rivers, and some of the
New Horizons Tower Joins the Eden Registry
New Horizons Tower in Toronto, ON joined the Eden Registry on December 21, 2017. This gorgeous high-rise building in the center of Bloordale Village is home to 88 Elders. Ideally located in the heart of its neighborhood, Elders have easy
Signature Healthcare of Hartford Rehab and Wellness Center Joins the Eden Registry
Signature Healthcare of Hartford Rehab and Wellness Center in Hartford, Kentucky, joined the Eden Registry on August 31, 2017. The 94 Elders that live here benefit from the home’s central location in the City of Hartford. They are steps away
Welcome Signature Healthcare at Colonial to the Eden Registry
Signature Healthcare at Colonial in Bardstown, Kentucky joined the Eden Registry on June 29, 2017. Located in the historic and beautiful town of Bardstown, there are 55 Elders who call this amazing place home. Bardstown is so quaint that according
The Trek to Mississippi’s Grand Canyon
The Elders at Wesley Manor, located in Hattiesburg, MS, recently made a road trip to Red Bluff, nicknamed “Mississippi’s Grand Canyon.” A couple living at Wesley Manor came back from a trip to Red Bluff with pictures and stories that
What’s the Speed Limit?
Spending time with leaders who are open to new ideas and challenging their assumptions can be very inspiring. I recently had the privilege of spending two days with such a group of leaders. We were talking about the challenges of
Christie Gardens Joins the Eden Registry
Christie Gardens in Ontario, Canada joined the Eden Registry on March 27, 2017. Located in Toronto’s Davenport Neighborhood, near Seaton Village and The Annex, Christie Gardens Apartments & Care has been serving Elders in Toronto for over 30 years. The
Meet Our Newest Registry Member – Signature Healthcare of Spencer County
Signature Healthcare of Spencer County in Taylorsville, KY joined the Eden Registry on March 17, 2017. Located about 20 minutes from Louisville they are nestled in a valley surrounded by beautiful mountains and hills. The towns of Louisville and Taylorsville
Mission at Community Rehab and Assisted Living Joins the Eden Registry
Mission at Community Rehab and Assisted Living in Centerfield, Utah joined the Eden Registry on February 20, 2017. This home is located in the quaint little country town of Centerfiled, Utah, a town that is rich in history and community.
Meet the Newest Registry Member – Signature Healthcare at Summit Manor
Signature Healthcare at Summit Manor Rehab and Wellness Center in Columbia, Kentucky joined the Eden Registry on December 16, 2016. They are home to 97 Elders and have divided their community into four neighborhoods between the two floors. There is
Welcome Sagewood Continuing Care Community to the Eden Registry!
The Sagewood Continuing Care Community in Sackville, NS joined the Eden Registry on December 9, 2016. They are creating home for 50 Elders in their relaxed comfortable cottages. There are four cottages within the home with private bedrooms for each
Beth Baker on the Village Movement and Cultivating Diversity
I’m posting from the 2016 Leading Age Annual Meeting in Indianapolis and have just returned from a panel discussion about the age-friendly community movement. This global initiative takes a systems approach to creating communities that accommodate and value people of
Home is Where Well-Being Is
This article of mine was published in PS Magazine, Issue 15 on Page 16. It’s based on a personal story that affirms, without a doubt, that home is where the heart is. Jackie loves the arts… opera in particular. At
End of Life Lessons from Dad: Lesson #5
Dad’s lesson #5 is that specialists aren’t always special. Nancy Fox would tell you that as human beings, we are all about creating constituencies. It is amazing how fast a group of complete strangers can bond and begin to demonstrate
Change Agents as Wayfinders
Life coach Martha Beck’s book, Finding Your Way in a Wild New World, captures the key qualities of what she calls a “Wayfinder.” (No, Martha is not my kin, by the way.) Wayfinders, by her definition, look a lot like culture
End of Life Lessons from Dad: Lesson #4
Lesson #4 from Dad is about the power of communication. We definitely experienced some poor communication during our journey with Dad. Part of it was the communication that should have happened, but didn’t. For example, when we said “no” to
Venetian Care and Rehabilitation Joins the Eden Registry
Venetian Care and Rehabilitation Center in South Amboy, NJ, joined the Eden Registry on August 29, 2016. This beautiful new community completed in 2014 is home to 180 empowered Elders. Venetian was intentionally designed to create a sense of smallness
End of Life Lessons from Dad: Lesson #3
Lesson #3 from Dad’s end-of-life journey was all about the search for meaning. Eden Alternative Principle Six states: “Meaningless activity corrodes the human spirit. The opportunity to do things we find meaningful is essential to human health.” When we teach
Signature HealthCARE Rocks Elder Vacations… Again
I am always so inspired by this organization’s commitment to living the ten principles of The Eden Alternative in big ways. Undaunted, they have changed lives by arranging multiple Elder vacations for the people who live in their communities. There was
End-of-Life Lessons from Dad: Lesson #1
My father passed away recently. It was unexpected; a stroke. Our family found ourselves in a 3-week journey with Dad that was infuriating, exasperating, surprising, and heartwarming all at the same time. I suspect it was much the same as
Mariachi and Mom
This article was published in PS Magazine in the November/December 2015 issue, Pages 22-23. After my mother passed away in 2010, my family gathered at a Mexican restaurant in San Antonio, Texas to take comfort in the ballads sung
Pete’s Greatest Hit
Pete Rose is the all-time Major League leader in hits, games played, and at-bats. He won three World Series rings, three batting titles, one Most Valuable Player Award, two Gold Gloves, the Rookie of the Year Award, and also made
ChangingAging features Person-Directed Care in the Community through Eden at Home
On Monday, ChangingAging posted a piece by Beth Baker featuring the work we do at The Eden Alternative through our Eden at Home initiative. It offers a powerful example of how one home and community-based organization in North Carolina is
The Leadership Transition Myth
You’ve all heard people say that a “little turnover is expected as leaders change.” I’ve heard it too. The other thing I’ve heard is “turnover is a good thing during a transition. It is a chance to get the right
Making Peace with the Past
“How has Mrs. Smith handled change in the past?” This was how we predicted how well a new nursing home resident would cope with adjusting to placement in 1983. For the most part, this simplistic rule of thumb seemed to
Consumer Education Changes the Game Where Care is Concerned
Yesterday, the Washington Post published an article entitled “Promise You’ll Never Put Me in a Nursing Home.” I agree with Dr. Bill’s Thomas’ assertion in this piece that having the right language for what we’re asking for is really the
A New Year, A New Addition – Parkside Community
Parkside Community in Chase, British Columbia, Canada, joined the Eden Alternative Registry on January 7, 2016, as our first new Registry Member of 2016. This is truly a living center with empowered Elders and employee care partners driving the rhythm
Welcome Points West Living – Lloydminster
Points West Living Lloydminster in Lloydminster, Alberta, Canada joined the Eden Alternative Registry on 12/17/2015. There are 65 Elders that live in this vibrant and lively home. To create close and caring relationships, they are divided into 5 smaller cottages.
Coach Each Other, Grow Together, Change Lives
Last summer, we had the pleasure of working with 20 nursing homes from California and Colorado for a grant project of ours. One of the grant activities involved connecting project participants with culture change leaders who had an exceptional track
Oklahoma Sees Results from Dementia Training… and More is On the Way
In 2014, the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) awarded The Eden Alternative grant dollars to support Oklahoma’s reduction of antipsychotic drug use through the delivery of Dementia Beyond Drugs training.
What Hannah Taught Me…
Hannah O’Hara Thomas passed away today. She lived 17-and-a-half years longer than anyone predicted. While it is so painful, tragic, and downright unfair that she left us after only 18 years, I believe that in that time she lived more
Grace Note Singers, The Gift Of Music At Life’s Passage
Imagine that an Elder is at the end-of-life and surrounding her bedside are 4-6 people tenderly singing songs that are meaningful to her. Their voices are creating an environment that is providing peace and tranquility for her and the care partners who are with her at that time.
Sustaining Quality Improvement Gains: Start with Your Culture
A group of Elders at Denali Center recently started a Recognition Task Team to celebrate and thank specific staff for the work that they do. One elder shared with a staff member who was having a rough day that she needs to receive, as well as give, and find balance.
Community Meetings Deepen Connectedness and Stimulate Growth
Park Place Elder Living in Mt. Pleasant, IA has been holding community meetings with all care partners (Elders, employees, and family members) for six years now. For them, it has remained a vibrant and important gathering time for the community which helps them to grow closer and improve life throughout the home.
The Choices We Make
Life is full of choices, and making choices can be really hard at times. For me, going to Cheesecake Factory to eat is always a challenge….so many great choices on the menu! But in the big scheme of things, choosing a menu item doesn’t mean a lot and really only affects me.
Welcome, Lexington Manor
As you walk into each of the three neighborhoods you will get the feeling that you are in a home filled with genuine loving relationships.
Celebrating Transformational Leaders!
Principle Ten of The Eden Alternative states that “Wise leadership is the lifeblood of any struggle against the three plagues. For it, there can be no substitute.”
Customer Service Driven Therapy
What do you believe creates a great healing experience for someone who needs short-term care?
Eliminating the Three Plagues With Meals on Wheels
Traceway Retirement Community is an Eden Registry Member in Tupelo, MS. Their employees unite with the larger community to help show their Eden Alternative journey, not just talk about it. Not only do they work to eliminate the three plagues
Stage Three of Tribal Leadership: “I’m Great!”
As we count down to the conference, we’ve been talking to best-selling author John King about his book, Tribal Leadership. Labeled an “unusually nuanced view of high-performance cultures,” Tribal Leadership frames leadership in terms of five distinct stages, each involving
Stage Two of Tribal Leadership: "My Life Sucks"
“People in Stage Two have pretty much taken themselves out of the game. They find themselves cynical or in despair, so they’ve disconnected from others in the workspace,” says John King, Tribal Leadership.
Culture Change is for Everyone – Talkin' Bout a Revolution
The first time I met Bill Thomas was in 1996 in San Marcos, Texas. My father was living with Alzheimer’s disease and had found home in a long-term care community new to the Eden Alternative journey. In town for an
Language is Soooooo Important!
The team here at the The Eden Alternative constantly reminds me about the importance of language in creating a true person-directed care environment. An article in today’s issue of McKnight’s makes the point very nicely. One of the most common
Welcome, Erin
Signature HealthCARE of Erin joined the Eden Registry on November 20, 2013. This home is snuggled in the quaint little town of Erin, Tennessee where folks often come together to lend a helping hand to one another. Community matters in
Communicating During Transitions; Strangers or Friends?
Communicating with Elders during transitions in care is crucial. Strangers cannot communicate well with strangers, or about strangers. If the use of healthcare resources, especially hospital care, is to be optimized to the individual, then relationships have to be built
Ending Helplessness One Story At A Time
It seems like there are many stories that are coming into my life lately that centered around eliminating the plague of helplessness. This is a wonderful change. It is easy for many of us to understand the concepts and feelings
Pills vs. Care
With a big nod to Angie McAllister over at Quality of Life, I’d like to share a story of replacing medication with a care partnership. Angie’s full post can be found here regarding a research project studying the drawdown of medication