Brittany Chunn-Jones Design Portfolio

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THE GREENHOUSE PROJECT: THE REVOLUTION OF THE NURSING HOME By: <strong>Brittany</strong> <strong>Chunn</strong> “We only have two populations who live in institutions in our society: criminals and residents of nursing homes.” T he new concept of the GreenHouse project, the “home” environment seem more logical than the previous institutional models. These “homes” are growing in popularity. Residential care was just an idea, created in the minds of Dr. Bill Thomas, a Geriatrician and professor at the University of Maryland Baltimore County and his lovely wife Jude Thomas. Dr. Thomas worked in institutionalized nursing homes for much of his career and didn’t like what he saw. However, a switch was flipped, after one of the elders came up to him and said “I’m so lonely”. The couple wanted to create an environment that encouraged the autonomy and relationships of the elders within the care facility. Thusly, their pilot home, The Eden Alternative was created in 1991. In 2001, a study was conducted by the Institute of Medicine, on the stereotypical nursing care facilities. They found the in the institutional facilities people often equated it with malnutrition, bed sores loss of activity in daily living functions, infections, improper use of medicine, higher levels of depression, as well as a poor quality of life. That same year, Dr. Thomas dressed in a sweatshirt and Birkenstocks walked into the Robert Wood Johnson (RWJ) Foundation and stated his case. The RWJ Foundation was so impressed by what the doctor shared, they agreed to support his cause, and lead him to NCB Capital Impact, a non-profit organization that helps organize programs for underprivileged communities. Which NCB as Thomases sponsor they hatched a plan that came into fruition two years later in Tupelo, Mississippi. These two homes were the precursors to the current GreenHouse models that are flourishing throughout the United States, today. The GreenHouse model is based on the ideal environment needed for the elderly to not just temporarily prolong the life they have, but also make their last years better. It was thought that these residential elder care environments wouldn’t last long. Institutionalized health care has been a leader in the elder care since nursing homes were created. In 2009, there were close to 1.5 million senior citizens in nursing facilities in the United States; as the years progress our aging population is growing. There are only 10- 12 elders per home. This gives each individual the personalized care they need and deserve. Patients receive over four times the amount of care they would have in an institutionalized home. Dr. Thomas was tired of facilities that prized the staff over the patients. In his homes he hoped the elders would be the center of attention. The top-down organizational structure needed a full face-lift and a makeover. A self-managed team known as the Shahbazim share the tasks of taking care of the residents and report back to their guide. They all share the responsibilities of cooking and cleaning The doctor wanted them to erase the sterile, cold, lonely environment of institutions, stating: “We only have two populations who live in institutions in our society: criminals and the residents of nursing homes,” H E A L T H C A R E | P A G E 3
The Shahbaz (plural: Shahbazim) a term coined by the founders, to describe caregivers. It comes from a Persian word that translates as “royal falcon.” “Its quality of mystery is what makes it well chosen to define a new concept,” as stated in his online blog http:shahbazim.blogspot.com. Unlike most nursing home staff the Shahbazim are trained for 120 hours in order to receive certification, to work in the facility. They are trained in the art of cooking home meals as well as proper housekeeping. They are with the same 10-12 residents daily, which is a great advantage for the doctors on call. They don’t receive nearly as many middle of the evening emergency phone calls, where no one knows what is going on. If one of the residents has a little sniffle the Shahbazim know it! The individuals on staff create more than a homelike environment, they create an actual home for it’s residents, which the residents respond well to. In 2005, Judith Rabig, former executive director of the national GreenHouse Project, told the White House Conference on Aging, “moving to a nursing home is a dreaded event.” Which all of the problems associated with typical nursing homes, who is ready to sign up and move into one. Residents moving into residential home environments are more apt to settle in quickly as well as enjoy the experience. Residents are “elders” and aren’t referred to as patients. Unlike most nursing homes, patients can bring in objects from their previous homes-- furniture and pets included. They can also go into the kitchen and eat whenever they feel like it, the Shahbazim are cooking at all hours of the day. If a resident doesn’t want to eat with the others at a certain time, they don’t have to, which combats malnutrition and helps patients who are underweight. Here is a touching story of an elder named Daniel Shaughnessy, at 81 years old he lived alone and was frequently checked on by neighbors. After a few days of not answering his phone, his niece came in and checked on him. She found him curled up in the corner after suffering a stroke, he only weighed 80 pounds. Fast-forward six months later, Mr. Shaughnessy has now made a recovery from his stroke and weighs 180 pounds. There are a few simple changes from the typical nursing homes, but the results are drastic. The elders aren’t bombarded with the constant beeping, pumping of machinery. The environment is tranquil, which leads to less agitated elders. A study was conducted by the University of Minnesota of the people in residentcare facilities. GreenHouse residents were not as depressed and were able to perform daily functions better and for longer periods of time than the people in the regular facility. As the GreenHouse methodology becomes more popular. Approximately 30% of the larger nursing homes have begun to incorporate some of the GreenHouse values into their homes. Some facilities have downsized, creating a more homesized environment, while others have included more activities and autonomy into the daily routine. Research has shown that the GreenHouse homes result in fewer staff turnovers, and less bed-ridden elderly, with fewer draw-backs. The current GreenHouse model was created to provide more than just a place for people to go when they get old. It was created to be a “home” where people live in a community and create a family environment filled with caregivers that are properly trained to and restore the life seniors have lefts. Rabig says, “ rich in autonomy, dignity and choice … where priority is given to their quality of life,” In 2003 the first four GreenHouse homes were opened, by early 2008 the number had grown to 41 in 10 States; furthermore, 4 years ago in 2010 it was estimated that hundreds would be built or under-construction in rural and urban areas across the United States. There are only hundreds of these residential facilities compared to the 16,000 institutionalized facilities spread throughout the country, and though the GreenHouse Project model is growing strong, however, it won’t be replacing the old fashioned system anytime quick enough. Dr. Thomas says, “The No. 1 reason nursing home reform has lagged is that people don’t believe the system can really be changed...even though it costs a lot of money and doesn’t generate a lot of wellbeing.” H E A L T H C A R E | P A G E 4
Page 2 and 3: Residential Commercial
Page 4 and 5: HEALTHCARE DESIGN Dining areas H E
Page 8 and 9: Basic Principles of the Center H E
Page 10 and 11: 4 2 3 1 R e n d e r e d F l o o r P
Page 12 and 13: Commercial Design C O M M E R C I A
Page 14 and 15: L o b b y p e r s p e c t i v e 1 a
Page 16 and 17: F i r s t f l o o r f u r n i t u r
Page 18 and 19: Turquoise Gallery Lobby Competition
Page 20 and 21: Commercial Space U N I V E R S A L
Page 22 and 23: 1 ST L E V E L D I M E N S I O N E
Page 24 and 25: 1 Elevator corridor 2 Office U N I
Page 26 and 27: Residential Space Design Concept Th
Page 28 and 29: RESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS U N I V E R S
Page 30 and 31: U N I V E R S A L | P A G E 2 7
Page 36 and 37: C A P S T O N E | P A G E 3 3
Page 38 and 39: Block plan Level 1 floor plan C A P
Page 40 and 41: Conceptual exterior elevation Build
Page 42 and 43: C A P S T O N E | P A G E 3 9
Page 44: Thank You

Brittany Chunn-Jones Design Portfolio

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