Green House Homes
Asbury Park offers a new concept of living for the elder in need of health care. The Green House home is a residential home for a group of 10 elders. It is a place that focuses on life, and its heart is found in the relationships that flourish there.
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- Green House® homes look and feel like home.
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- The kitchen provides a user-friendly arrangement of appliances, a food preparation area and a comfortable counter perfect for those wanting a great place to enjoy a snack.
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- The Hearth Room is the heart and soul of each Green House® home. A spacious room surrounded by columns, it provides a place for elders and their guests to share thoughts, memories, and stories around a large fireplace.
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- Situated between the kitchen and the Hearth Room, the dining room provides a well-lit open area great for sharing meals. A large dining table accommodates everyone that wants to enjoy a family dining experience. Mealtime is always an enjoyable time!
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- The Den, a perfect spot for relaxation, provides more privacy than the Hearth Room, yet maintains the same open environment. It is a great location to entertain visitors, read a book or daily newspaper, or to just sit and chat.
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- Designed to be just like home, each elder has a private bedroom offering the ultimate privacy and comfort. Each room includes special soundproofing, independently controlled heating and cooling, and a private bathroom. All bedrooms feature built-in fire sprinkler systems and a device to call for assistance when necessary.
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- During the beautiful days of spring and fall, the Courtyard is a favorite spot to sit and relax. As a secure area adjacent to the main entry, it features spacious walking and sitting areas and beautiful landscaping.
Architecturally appealing
Green House Homes are architecturally appealing, designed to blend in with other homes in our community.
The look and feel of a home
Each elder has his/her own private living space and bathroom. Elders’ rooms receive high levels of sunlight and are situated around the hearth, an open kitchen and dining area.
Free from limitations
A small sized home designed without long hallways, elders are free from the limitations of an institutional schedule and live a more comfortable daily life–sleeping, eating and engaging in activities when they choose.
The Floor Plan
The Green House is designed to be a home for ten elders. Its blends architecturally with neighboring homes, includes vibrant outdoor space, and utilizes aesthetically appealing interior features. The first Green House homes were designed by Richard McCarty, the McCarty Company, in Tupelo, Mississippi. McCarty and Dr. Thomas collaborated to create an environment that would be a home to the elders. The result was a home where each elder has a private living space with a private bathroom. Elders’ rooms receive high levels of sunlight and are situated around the hearth, an open kitchen and dining area. While adhering to all codes required by licensure, Green House homes look and feel like home.
Development of the Green House Concept
Dr. William Thomas
A radical departure from traditional skilled nursing homes and assisted living facilities, The Green House concept alters facility size, interior design, staffing methods, and methods of delivering skilled professional services. Developed by Dr. William Thomas and rooted in the tradition of the Eden Alternative, a model for cultural change within nursing facilities, the Green House is intended to de-institutionalize long-term care by eliminating large nursing facilities and creating habilitating, social settings. Its primary purpose is to serve as a place where elders can receive assistance and support with activities of daily living and clinical care, without the assistance and care becoming the focus of their existence. Each elder has a private living space with a private bathroom.
Dr. William H. Thomas is an international authority on geriatric medicine and eldercare. He currently serves as a president of The Center for Growing and Becoming, Inc., a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting and developing constructive, holistic approaches to aging and the care of elders. He is also president of The Eden Alternative, a research, consulting, and advocacy group committed to improving the care received by people who live in institutions everywhere.