Adapting the Green House Model for Dementia Care in Ontario: Insights from the Ohio Workshop
In March 2023, our team had the opportunity to attend an impactful workshop in Ohio organized by the Green House Project, focusing on innovative dementia care solutions that could be transformative for Ontario. Held at the Otterbein Loveland Senior Life Neighborhood, the event brought together industry leaders, caregivers, and specialists dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with dementia through forward-thinking design and care approaches. This visit allowed us to understand the Green House model’s core values—Real Home, Meaningful Life, and Empowered Staff—and to evaluate how its practices could be adapted within Ontario’s context and regulations.
The 12-bed Green House we visited spans approximately 8,000 square feet, with each bedroom averaging 280 to 300 square feet, including ensuite bathrooms. This layout fosters a homelike environment that respects residents’ privacy while also offering communal spaces designed for safety and interaction.
Key Learnings from the Workshop
During our visit, we delved into the principles and operational features that make the Green House model both person-directed and financially sustainable. Sessions led by experts emphasized that a successful Green House home requires a cultural transformation, which involves not just new physical environments but also a shift in organizational mindsets and systems. Key components that resonated with us included:
- Transformational, Person-Directed Culture: The Green House model promotes a person-directed, worker-empowered culture that prioritizes resident autonomy and meaningful daily engagement. The philosophy emphasizes transforming traditional eldercare settings into real homes that empower both residents and staff.
- Empowered, Multidisciplinary Workforce: Education plays a crucial role in the model, focusing on a robust, team-based approach. Training sessions, including the “train-the-trainer” approach and coaching in active listening, communication, and collaboration, are central to creating an empowered, responsive team. A multidisciplinary team with specialized role-specific training enhances resident care and supports a collaborative care environment.
- Leadership Commitment to Growth and Sustainability: The model encourages leaders to cultivate a coaching culture, emphasizing shared decision-making and continuous learning. Strategic action planning helps leaders embed core values like Real Home and Meaningful Life into sustainable care practices that positively impact resident outcomes.
- Market Feasibility and Community Integration: A vital part of implementing the Green House model is a thorough market feasibility analysis to assess demand, competition, and site requirements. This process involves understanding the preferences of prospective residents and their families, who highly value individualized attention, independence, and a non-institutional atmosphere. Research presented during the workshop shows that 97% of caregivers responded positively to the Green House model once they understood its benefits, with 73% willing to drive over 15 miles to access a Green House care home.
- Thoughtful Site and Design Planning: Site selection and design were highlighted as foundational to the Green House model’s success. Ideal sites are in residential contexts with close proximity to essential services, while the home layouts aim for efficient use of space and operational sustainability. Design choices, such as glare-free flooring, regionally influenced color schemes, and natural lighting, create an elder-friendly environment that feels welcoming and familiar. Such thoughtful design ensures that residents feel at home and comfortable.
Next Steps and Vision for Ontario
Implementing the Green House model in Ontario could bring profound benefits, offering a new level of dignity and quality of life for residents with dementia. With careful adaptation, we believe this model could redefine eldercare in our province, bringing the Green House Project’s vision of “Real Home, Meaningful Life, and Empowered Staff” to Ontario communities. To bring this vision to life, MMMC is currently working on a small house model of 12 beds at Lambton Meadowview Villa, with construction expected to begin in 2025.
