Friday, July 20, 2007

New ideas are emerging!

I went for my tour of the Eden facility in Sherwood Park. What a lovely environment! Much larger than our plan but so much that I could take from it. I spent over 2 hours with their Administrator going over their application of the Eden Philosophy and touring the facility. I was impressed. For a large facility, with a history in the medical environment, they have made great strides in making the environment home like and enjoyable for the elders who live there.

One thing that fascinated me and that I would like to learn more about is the use of "life leases" for the residential units. One of the buildings in this facility is a licensed assisted living home where the residents purchase life leases. I think this may be the way to go for the homes we plan to build. Further investigation is definitely required!

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Tour is Arranged

I have a tour arranged for an Eden Philosophy building in Sherwood Park, about 45 minutes outside of my home of Vegreville. Wednesday, July 18th at 4:15 pm. I am now feverishly working on my list of questions!

I also want to work on a vision and mission statement that will help clarify the goals and mandate for this foundation. As well, business cards need to be made up so I can start passing them out and getting more exposure. That is one area where I currently have little experience. I am a great administrator, I know alot about commercial real estate, contracts, negotiations, finance, etc., however I have not been exposed to marketing. I think I will add to my list of things I need next is to find a marketing person to assist me in this regard.

My Goal

Have you seen the way our seniors are treated in most facilities? They are treated like medical patients, not like people, even when they are well. I want to change that.

I have been doing alot of research on the Eden Philosophy and I am now making the commitment to change the lives of seniors by working to build homes that run on this philosophy (truly, not just saying they do).

I am an experienced administrator with experience in commercial real estate and paralegal training. I have an understanding of elder care, having been intimately involved in the care of my wonderful grandmother in her last years. I understand the legal issues, government interactions and human needs particular to elder care. I know that my experience, training and dedication can make a real difference in this area and I'm ready to step up to the plate to do that.

I am asking the internet world to help me in my quest. I want to create a seniors facility in my town that is in desperate need of seniors housing. This town has a very high level of seniors and very little in assisted living choice. The current choices are:
- move away
- live in the long term facility (think medical/hospital setting)
- live in an expensive private facility

I want to add another choice. An assisted living facility run on the Eden philosophy, where the residents play an integral role in how THEIR home runs. A home of joy and life!

So what am I asking for from the internet world? Advice of any kind, but in particular, money. If the internet world will support someone looking to raise funds to pay off their student loans, then maybe they will also be willing to support this kind of fundraising. All I ask is that you send me $1 on behalf of each of your grandparents, or more if you so desire! Anything and everything will be accepted gratefully!

10 Eden Principles

  • The three plagues of loneliness, helplessness and boredom account for the bulk of suffering among our elders.
  • An Elder-centered community commits to creating a Human Habitat where life revolves around close and continuing contact with plants, animals and children. It is these relationships that provide the young and old alike a pathway to a life worth living.
  • Loving companionship is the antidote to loneliness. Elders deserve easy access to human and animal companionship.
  • An Elder-centered community creates opportunities to give as well as receive care. This is the antidote to helplessness.
  • An Elder-centered community imbues daily life with variety and spontaneity by creating an environment in which unexpected and unpredictable interactions and happenings can take place. This is the antidote to boredom.
  • Meaningless activity corrodes the human spirit. The opportunity to do things that we find meaningful is essential to human health.
  • Medical treatments should be the servant of genuine human caring, never its master.
  • An Elder-centered community honors its Elders by de-emphasizing top down bureaucratic authority, seeking instead to place the maximum possible decision making authority into the hands of the Elders or into the hands of those closest to them.
  • Creating an Elder-Centered community is a never-ending process. Human growth must never be separated from human life.
  • Wise leadership is the lifeblood of any struggle against the three plagues. For it, there can be no substitute.