Request Your Free Tour

802.254.6041

  • Home
  • About
    • Floor Plan
  • Services
    • Independent Living
    • Assisted Living
    • Nursing Care
    • Alzheimer’s Care
    • Rehabilitation
  • What They Say
    • Awards
  • Careers
    • Overview
    • Benefits
    • Job Postings
    • Applications
    • Employment Video
    • Employee Benefits Center
    • LNA Training Course
  • Resources
    • Coronavirus Updates
    • Links
    • FAQS
    • Articles
  • Contact
  • The Green House®
  • Home
  • About
  • Services
  • What They Say
  • Careers
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • The Green House®

Resources

Resources » Articles » Discover The Green House® Community At Vernon Homes

Just What Is A "Green House?"

Momentum is accelerating at our vernon campus as planning continues towards our long-held vision for a revolutionary nursing home model. 

 

Vernon Homes Green House Project

Readers of past Crossroads may be acquainted with the “Green House” approach to the care of seniors needing 24-hour nursing supervision. Now, through a partnership in 2018 with the national Green House Project®, (GHP) our vision could see completion within two years.

If you’re unfamiliar with the new model, it helps to understand that most nursing homes were designed at a time when the only model for long-term care was the local hospital. As a result, many homes are “institutional” in nature, with a look and feel that’s more clinical than anything like a real home.

The traditional nursing home setting can often foster a sense of loneliness, helplessness and boredom for residents living there on a permanent basis. As a result, the adjustment from home to a nursing home has been stoically endured by seniors for decades as a necessary but disagreeable choice.

Since 2003, however, a visionary concept from an innovative group of professional has grown nationwide. The Green House model is both clinical and non-institutional. Currently there are 243 such facilities in the U. S (and counting). If successful, our campus in Vernon would be home to the first Green House in Vermont.

The Green House Nursing Home Model

What does a Green House model look like? This living room/common area at another Green House provides a flavor.

Physically, a Green House is distinct. Elders live in individual clusters of houses that accommodate up to 12 elders each. All rooms and bathrooms are private. The house contains a central living and dining room for meals and most activities, plus a full kitchen for meal and snack preparation.

In Green Houses, natural and architectural design (décor, lighting, use of gardens) are considered equal in importance to functional concerns. At the same time, they employ advanced technology that is subtle and makes care practices non-intrusive.

Just as distinctive is the Green House’s care model, based on GHP core values of “Real Home, Meaningful Life and Empowered Staff.” Instead of operating on the basis of pre-set functions and routines that benefit administrative efficiencies and the staff’s schedule, care is resident-centered. For example, elders may choose when they rise, eat and recreate.

Further, the care model is designed to enhance a consistent, family-style atmosphere within each house. Staff are empowered to collaborate in daily routines rather than via traditional “top down” lines of management.

Statistics collected since their inception show that Green Houses bring measurable improvements to care quality, resident satisfaction, and staff members’ sense of fulfillment. 

In Vernon, more than building plans are in the works. since the green house model is rooted in a fundamentally different Philosophy of care, management is training staff and ancillary providers in Culture change - a realignment of norms and values that will guide daily operations.  

But while revolutionary in the long-term care profession, the Green House approach will simply make tangible something that has marked the Vernon campus throughout its history: innovation and a commitment to superlative service for the sake of those entrusted to our care. 

Join Us In Creating The Future

Now is the time to make a tremendous difference for generations to come. We are seeking friends who will help us transform the next great vision of senior care into reality.

The Need For Your Help Now Is Urgent

  • GOAL - GROUNDBREAKING 2020

  • GOAL - COMPLETION 2021

Your kindness at this critical time could make a significant difference in the lives of
elders and their families seeking the type of care we will offer.

Funding The Green House Community

  • CONSTRUCTION COST - $20M

  • STARTUP CAPITOL NEEDED - $7M

Ways You Can Help Make History

Gifts can be sent by check to:
Advent Christian Retirement Communities
61 Greenway Drive, Vernon, VT 05354

Name a Green House residence or room in honor of one or more loved ones and render
them recognition in perpetuity. For naming opportunities or other traditional or creative
gifts (such as stock, annuities, real estate…), we would love to discuss the possibilities
with you. Please use our contact form to contact these project leaders in the area of
giving in which you are interested:

  • Larry Knowles, ACRC President, for traditional or creative gifts
  • Brad Ellis, Executive Director, Vernon Homes, for traditional or creative gifts
  • Larry Kraft, Project Grant Writer, for charitable grants

Resources

  • Coronavirus Updates
  • Links
  • FAQS
  • Articles

What They Say

  • “ For everything you've done for Larry, for being the special people that you are... thank you so very much. ”

    -- Sue Longe & Family

  • “ As many of you know, my mom is not one to sugarcoat anything… in fact, she can be the first to complain… my mom regularly says that she is so grateful to be cared for by such a loving group of people. ”

    -- Lynna Jackson, daughter of Clara Stone

  • “ They hug me frequently. Those hugs restore life to my soul. That other nursing home in Connecticut was fine but the care here is hundreds of times better. ”

    -- Clara Stone, resident

  • “ We cannot thank all of you enough for the care you gave to Annie Gregor. You treated her like family. ”

    -- Lynn & Roy Gregor

  • “ I would be grateful if you would express our appreciation to all the staff who made my dad’s stay comfortable and peaceful. Every staff member we encountered made us feel like we were loved, accepted and part of your Vernon family. The care given to my dad was excellent, compassionate and dignified. ”

    -- Rev. Dwight S. Dean

  • “ Thank you so much for everything! ”

    -- Patti Newton

  • “ I was just there for two months following a fractured ankle and the Rehab was excellent. I will also say that the complete staff from all departments were so friendly and helpful I would go back in a minute if I needed that service again. Thanks everyone! ”

    -- Donna F.

  • “ My family would like to express our love and gratitude for all the fantastic care you all provided for my mom. ”

    -- Ralph & Family

  • “ You are all very compassionate and caring. We appreciate all that you did. ”

    -- Ruth Tripp and family

  • “ Thank you so much for all the wonderful, loving care you all showed our mom. You all were such a blessing to us as well as to Mom! ”

    -- Leta Wilkinson

  • “ Words cannot say how much we appreciate your loving care for Mom, Grandma, Grammie. You all truly became her extended family. You brought out a social and spunky side of her that would have been missed by so many if we had tried to care for her at home. ”

    -- Mike & Jeanne Mears

  • “ I appreciate so much your arranging things for me so that I could get therapy at Vernon Green. My needs were attended to very professionally by your staff. I thank the Lord for your kind and compassionate heart as you faithfully lead the work of Vernon Home. ”

    -- Bill

  • “ Lee, Dwight and I want to express to you and your entire staff how amazed we were at the dignity and care afforded to Dad… I have never had a family member in a nursing home. I count our experience at Vernon Green as one of my greatest blessings! ”

    -- Betsy

  • “ We would like to say “Thank You” for all the care of Ann Mosier!! ”

    -- Gertrude Potash & Ellen Williams

  • “ The patient and loving way that everyone has is contagious. Thank you all. ”

    -- The Bologan Family

  • “ You all went out of your way to attend to my needs and make my stay very pleasant. You never complained about complying with all the protocols when I was in quarantine. Many blessings to each of you as you continue in your ministry of caring. ”

    -- Bill Monroe

Visit Our Other Communities
Follow Us
  • facebook
  • RSS
Follow Us
  • Home

  • About

  • Services

  • What They Say

  • Careers

  • Resources

  • Contact

  • The Green House®

Vernon Homes 61 Greenway Drive Vernon, VT 05354 P 802.254.6041 F 802.257.5362 info@vernonhome.org
© Copyright 2021 Vernon Homes. All Rights Reserved. Website by Tetreault Advertising, Inc & Interactive Palette