Successful Edenization through education: suggestions for encouraging LTC staff to embrace the change of the Eden Alternative

Nursing Homes, March, 2004 by Jack L. Steiner, Cean Eppelheimer, Marla Devries

As we look to the future, one thing is certain: Tomorrow's purchasers of long-term care (i.e., baby boomers) will not be satisfied with "the way we have always done it." They will expect--no, demand--that it be different. The next generation of long-term care organizations may be small, planned communities, such as those in the Green House project. For now, however, the Eden Alternative seeks to transform the traditional medical model of care into an environment where daily life is filled with spontaneous activities and caregiving opportunities.

As long-term care communities begin changing their culture through the Eden Alternative, Michigan's On-Site Training Model can help them create within their organizations a critical mass of staff dedicated to the process, integrated support, and the engagement of 75 to 80% of all staff through the "Eden immersion" process. Having employees engaged in the On-Site Training Model increases the momentum and strengthens the resolve of the organization to transform itself into a warm, caring human habitat that respects the facility's medical treatment mission, but is not a slave to it.

Jack Steiner is an Eden Alternative Regional Coordinator and the Executive Director of BEAM. Cean Eppelheimer and Marla DeVries are BEAM employees. For further information, phone (517) 703-9346, fax (517) 703-9350, or e-mail jsteiner@mibeam.org.

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