Thank you for your interest in THE GREEN HOUSE® Project, a program of NCB Capital Impact and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
What is The Green House Project?
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) awarded a five-year, $10 million grant to NCB Capital Impact in November 2005 to help spur replication of The Green House concept, an innovative model for residential long-term care that involves a total rethinking of the philosophy of care, architecture, and organizational structure normally associated with long-term care. The Green House Project, funded by RWJF and technical assistance fees, provides technical assistance and pre-development loans to organizations that want to establish Green House homes. NCB Capital Impact, the home of The Green House Project national replication center, will continue to administer the program beyond the five-year RWJF grant.
The Green House model is the vision of Dr. William Thomas, a Harvard-educated geriatrician. The national Green House Project team, led by David Farrell, is comprised of experienced leaders in the field of culture change and long-term care.
What is a Green House home?
A Green House home is an independent, self-contained home for six to 12 people, designed to look like a private home or apartment in the surrounding community. Green House homes are typically licensed as skilled nursing facilities and meet all applicable federal and state regulatory requirements. Each person who lives in a Green House home has a private bedroom and full bathroom, opening to a central hearth/living area and an open kitchen and dining area. Elders share meals at a common table. Family members, friends and staff are welcome to join the community at mealtimes and other activities.
Each home is staffed by a team of universal workers, known as Shahbazim. The staff has core training as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), plus extensive training in The Green House philosophy, the self-managed work team structure of The Green House home, culinary skills, and household management. Shahbazim provide personal care, meal preparation, and light housekeeping and laundry, among other duties.
A clinical support team includes nurses, social workers, therapists, physicians, activities and dietary professionals, and pharmacists. Nurses serve each Green House home on a 24-hour basis. One nurse typically covers two homes during the day and evening and up to three homes at night. The other clinical professionals on the team visit the houses regularly and as individual residents require.
The people who live and work in a Green House home collaborate to create a daily routine that meet an elder’s individual needs. If they wish, elders can help cook, and assist with light housekeeping and laundry. There is no predetermined routine, facilitating their independence and the ability to pursue individual interests.
Learn More about The Green House Model and Becoming a Green House Adopter
Green House homes are enriching the lives of elders throughout the country, from Massachusetts to Alaska. Learn more at www.thegreenhouseproject.org (please update your bookmarks!).
Explore and experience The Green House model through videos, home tours, photos, and testimonials from the people who live and work in Green House homes: www.thegreenhouseproject.org/explore
Request a free Green House Project Guide Book (PDF) and DVD, “Where Love Matters” www.thegreenhouseproject.org/requestinfo
Join our mailing list to receive a quarterly newsletter and program updates: www.thegreenhouseproject.org/about
Come to an orientation workshop and learn how to become a Green House adopter: www.thegreenhouseproject.org/calendar
Participate in interactive Webinars: www.thegreenhouseproject.org/calendar
Find Green House homes throughout the country: www.thegreenhouseproject.org/findhome
Learn how to bring Green House homes to your community: www.thegreenhouseproject.org/getinvolved
Read the latest news about The Green House Project: www.thegreenhouseproject.org/newsevents
Contact us if you have questions: www.thegreenhouseproject.org/contact