Eden Alternative: autonomy for the elderly

At Hillcrest Manor in Washington, residents are free to eat at their leisure, keep a garden, sing, or whatever else their hearts desire. Hillcrest Manor is a nursing home facility part of the program known as Eden Alternative – a non-profit organization that helps reshape the aging process in America. The concept was founded in the 1990’s by geriatrician Dr. William Thomas to help combat loneliness in nursing home residents.

Part of the Eden Alternative initiative is that all employees and residents view the facilities as “homes” for the elders. Residents don’t give up their autonomy at an Eden home, and they are seen as “habitats for human beings rather than facilities for the frail and elderly.” For instance, all the employees are encouraged to allow their residents the autonomy and self-sufficiency they deserve. Spontaneity, rather than monotony, is encouraged at the nursing home. The Eden Alternative also stresses the use of animals to create connections for the elderly. Furthermore, physical changes have been made to facilities to make them look more like homes and open the rooms up. There can also be rose gardens, gazebos, and even a place for outdoor barbecues.

Since Hillcrest Manor has adopted the Eden Alternative, there has been a dramatic difference in the residents. Not only is there a positive atmosphere flowing throughout the facility, but recent reports also show a moderate decline in the prescription of certain medicines, such as antidepressants. Katie Lie, a geriatric mental health specialist, has noticed that residents appear to be less dependent on the various medicines.

The Eden Alternative may not work for every nursing home, but for Hillcrest, the Eden Alternative has captivated residents and created a sense of community among them. Hopefully, other nursing homes around the country attempt to adapt a program such as the Eden Alternative, to help create a new lifestyle for their residents – allowing elders to take control, make their own decisions, and live their remaining days to the fullest.