Eden Alternative®

The Eden Alternative® was founded in 1991 by Dr. William Thomas, a Harvard-educated physician and board-certified geriatrician. The principles of the Eden Alternative® are about changing the culture of long-term care organizations. Edenizing organizations are helping to support a meaningful life for elders.

The Eden Alternative® shows how companionship; the opportunity to give meaningful care to other living things; and the variety and spontaneity that mark an enlivened environment can succeed in senior care. Senior living communities that have adopted the Eden Alternative® typically are filled with plants, animals and are regularly visited by children.

The Eden Alternative ® combats the three “plagues” of the human spirit: loneliness, helplessness, and boredom. Mountain Springs is dedicated to combating these three plagues in o.3rder for our elders to live full, meaningful lives.

To learn more about the Eden Alternative ®, please visit www.edenalt.org.

What our elders have to say about the Eden Alternative.

“With Eden I can eat when I want and what I want. I can take care of our dog Cedar, the fish and the birds. I always have someone to talk with and have plenty to do. My opinions count here. They listen to me and hear me. That didn’t happen before.” Lois (Cedar House Elder)

“Why has it taken so long for people to find another way to care for our elderly – for humans to treat each other with respect and care? Eden has given that back to us… to know here Elders are not a number who have to wait their turn; but are the most important reason we are here. Seeing in their eyes that life is not over, it has not been taken from you, but restored!” Cheryl (Cedar Team House Director)

“I want you to know how proud and happy I am about the new Eden Alternative program. The elders take part to discuss the menu, to express an opinion and what kind of activities they like to participate in. The program also helps Elders to interact with one another. They can make their own choices to participate in the activities morning and afternoon. The Elders have more time to share their precious moments. They enjoy sharing moments about their childhood memories, marriage, family, and some Elders have known each other from their youth. We celebrate birthdays by celebrating moments that are very special for them... I look forward to many more years of performing the Eden changes in our community. United we can do better for the Elders lives.” Mercedes (Bristlecone Team Member)

An Eden Alternative story

A night shift care team member was with an Elder as the Elder passed away. The family had spent most of the day and night with the Elder. The care team member saw to it that the family had food and beverages in the room, comfortable chairs, and all the privacy they needed. When the Elder passed away and the family was getting ready to leave, it was time for the care team member to be off shift. She offered to drive the family to their motel. On the way, she pulled into a restaurant. She told the family they hadn’t eaten all night and they needed to have a little something before heading to their room. On she sat and ate with them, bought their breakfast and then drove them to their motel. She never said a word to anyone about this. It wasn’t until the family told us the story that we knew what had happened.

No longer do employees and elders meet in separate meetings each month; but each care team meets together... Elders and employees alike. Together they discuss successes and challenges, develop the next months activity calendar, create work schedules, and create the menu. We have found this to be very beneficial and brings together care partners and Elders again. We have also found that our care partners listen more attentively to the concerns of the Elders when they are presented face to face. Together, like a family, they work it all out. It is calming for Elders to see that resolutions are discussed and the issues they bring forth are heard and not ignored. There is a higher level of accountability for care partners to do what they say they are going to do.

2861 Mountain Street
Carson City, Nevada 89703

Tel: 775-885-9223
Fax: 775-885-8050

Creating environments where moments of joy, independence,
and wellness are the focus each and every day

© 2011 Ridgeline Management Company. All rights reserved.