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What follows is a brief description of the path our Eden journey has followed. You can find more detailed stories
on our scrapbook page. And if you're still hungry for
more, why not pay us a visit?
For a detailed description of the Eden Alternative itself, visit
the Official Eden website.
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Our Eden Journey began in the spring of 2000
with an off-site manager retreat at Silver Penny Farm in Petaluma, CA. During this time, we looked closely at
the ways we were caring for our Elders and dialogued about ways to improve. We committed ourselves to setting
out together on the path to Eden. |
| The next important step in the Eden process is
EDUCATION. We held several meetings and training sessions with our staff, family members, and residents to explain
the Ten Principles of the Eden Alternative, talk about what we were
already doing well, and dream about what we hoped we could accomplish together in the future. |
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Animals came next for us. Not only do animals
just make people feel better, but they also tend to bring people together. (Read Jordan's
story) Mercy was first graced with a beautiful cat named Missy, who needed a new home. Then, other furry and
feathered friends followed, including the two parakeets you see here at Salem. Today, the communities of Elder
Care Alliance are home to several different kinds of birds, dogs, and cats, and even a few more exotic animals.
See our scrapbook if you'd like to know more. |
| Live, green plants are another important element
in our "human habitat". Obviously, residents in the past have often had plants in their rooms, and we
have always tried to have greenery in the hallways and common areas. But the Eden Alternative has helped us focus
our energy on some specific reasons for having plant-life throughout our buildings. Not only do plants give us
something for which to care for, which is something often forgotten in nursing homes, but they fill the building
with LIFE, improve air quality, and provide occasional treats, like strawberries or herbs. And most importantly,
the opportunity to take care of another living thing (no matter how small or seemingly insignificant) is the only
cure for helplessness. |
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Another element often missing in today's long-term
care facilities is children. Not just children visiting on the weekends, or running through the building at Halloween
and Christmas, but daily contact with children of all ages. We look for ways to involve children with our
Elders on a continuous basis, whether it be local schools, families of our residents, or other volunteer programs. |
| We try to always remember that the Eden Alternative,
fundamentally, is about alleviating the suffering caused by loneliness, helplessness, and boredom. The "warm
and fuzzy" things like plants, animals, and children help us to do that, but they are only tools. At the
heart of our Eden journey is a deep commitment to improving the lives and living environments of our Elders. |
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In April, 2002, Mercy Retirement & Care Center
and Salem Lutheran Home were officially admitted to the National Eden Alternative Registry. This honor is reserved
only for those facilities willing to implement the Eden Alternative according to the standards set by the national
office. At the time, there were 16 other registered facilities in California and 236 in the United States.
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Equal Housing Opportunity