California’s First Green House® Homes Open, Ushering in New Kind of Nursing Care
California ushered in a new era of nursing home care on May 29, with the opening of the state’s first certified Green House homes at Mt. San Antonio Gardens, a senior community in Southern California. The opening is expected to usher in a new wave of similar projects across California as legislation designed to encourage a small-home approach to skilled nursing home care takes effect. A total of 20 residents will live at the Evergreen Villas in two residential neighborhood homes, designed by Ewing Architects, Inc., AIA, of Pasadena, each with private rooms and bathrooms with showers. Unlike traditional nursing homes, Green House homes are specifically built from the ground up to be real homes—in every way. Residents socialize in cozy living rooms and enjoy meals cooked in open kitchens, by the same people that care for them each day.The Green House model’s unique approach to care, including a versatile staffing model, produces better clinical outcomes, such as fewer hospitalizations and falls, and less staff turnover. Research shows that the model’s small layout, combined with its intimate and innovative staffing ratios, provides elders with four times more personal and social contact than typical nursing homes.
Read Source (http://www.thegreenhouseproject.org)
Jay Labinger is a Gardens resident, he was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. Jay received his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Harvey Mudd College. He attended Harvard University where he earned a Ph.D. He was an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at the University of Notre Dame. His career has included positions with Occidental Research Corporation & Atlantic Richfield. He is the Administrator of Beckman Institute at the California Institute of Technology as well as a Faculty Associate in the Chemistry Department. He enjoys reading, playing the piano, tennis and traveling. He has published books on the history of chemistry, sociology of science and literature & science. Here at the Gardens, Jay is part of the Conservation & Sustainability Committee the Green Fund as well as many other groups through the Gardens Club.
Jane Hurd is a Gardens resident, she was born & raised in a small town in Arkansas. After she received her BA from the University of Arkansas she moved to California and taught seventh grade English in Porterville CA. After two years she moved to Los Angeles and worked for the Department of Health Services and pursued a master’s degree in public administration from USC. She served as CEO for two Los Angeles area hospitals. She continues to consult as an executive coach for CEOs of healthcare companies. She has served on several boards including Mutual of America Insurance Company, YMCA of Metropolitan LA, LA Visiting Nurses Association and Inland Empire Girl Scouts. Jane is an award-winning author and plays several musical instruments. Here at the Gardens, Jane is part of the newly formed Bequest Committee, as well as many other groups through the Gardens Club.
