In another significant step toward transforming and improving nursing home care, A.G. Rhodes’ Cobb home became the first stand-alone nursing home in the state to be accepted into the Eden Alternative Registry, which consists of 250 national and international long-term care communities committed to improving the quality of life and care for the people they serve.
The Eden Alternative is an international, nonprofit organization that provides education and consultation for organizations across the entire continuum of care. With its person-directed care philosophy, it is dedicated to creating care environments that promote quality of life for elders and their care partners, leading to improved quality of care and higher rates of satisfaction. Last year, A.G. Rhodes of Cobb became the first nursing home in Georgia to complete Eden Alternative training, which was an important move toward de-institutionalization nursing home care so that it’s more home-like and tailored to individual needs and preferences.
“Achieving Registry status indicates A.G. Rhodes’ understanding of the unique needs, preferences and desires of those individuals entrusted to its care,” said Eden Alternative’s Chief Executive Officer, Jill Vitale-Aussem. “This significant step demonstrates the organization’s commitment to become a prominent provider for elders in the greater-Atlanta area.”
Working with employees at all levels at A.G. Rhodes, the Eden Alternative provided professional development training in person-directed care, an evolving process that honors the voices and choices of elders and those working most closely with them, thus transforming the delivery of care to the entire community. Throughout this comprehensive Registry process, both ancillary and clinical staff at A.G. Rhodes focused on core person-directed values that included choice, dignity, respect, self-determination and purposeful living.
“There is global initiative focused on transforming nursing home care as we know it,” said Angela Daugherty, Administrator of A.G. Rhodes’ Cobb location. “It’s a culture change movement, and we have been excited to lead the way among nursing home providers in Georgia. We have diligently worked through the preparation to become an Eden Registry Member because our care partner team is committed to improving nursing home care. It’s something we all want for our loved ones, and eventually for ourselves.”
May 10, 2018