LAWRENCE: Morris Hall Meadows work is underway

By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
Behind the chain link fence on the corner of Route 206 and Franklin Corner Road, bulldozers are busy moving dirt — making way for the construction of a new concept in nursing home care.
Dubbed Morris Hall Meadows, the development will consist of 12 home-like buildings that will accommodate 10 senior citizens each. It is being built in two phases of six homes apiece. The first house, which includes a private room and bath for each resident, is expected to open in November 2015.
What sets Morris Hall Meadows apart from other nursing homes is that it is based on the Green House Project — a new philosophy and approach in providing nursing home care, said Darlene Hanley, president and chief executive officer of Morris Hall/St. Lawrence Inc.
The Green House Project grew out of the experiences of Dr. Bill Thomas, who worked at a small nursing home. He observed that residents of the traditional nursing home suffered from loneliness, helplessness and boredom. He developed a new model that de-institutionalizes nursing home care.
The Green House model is based on three core values — a meaningful life, empowered staff and real home — and represents a culture change, Ms. Hanley said. There is only one other nursing home in New Jersey that is based on the Green House model, she said.
A "meaningful life" allows for the residents — referred to as elders — to maintain some control over their daily activities. They do not have to get up at the same time every day, finish lunch and play bingo for three hours. The elders determine the activities and the menu in the house. Each house takes on a different atmosphere, Ms. Hanley said.
"The elders have autonomy. If they want breakfast at 10:30 a.m., they can. Meals will not be rushed. The staff sits and eats with the elders in the house. If the elders want to sit and talk, that is the activity (of the day). The staff members do the cooking, the patient care and the laundry," she said.
The concept of an "empowered staff" encourages the staff to work closely with the elders, she said. The staff members are highly trained. They create their own schedules and have much responsibility. They work closely with the elders and assist them with meals, for example.
The house —elders and staff — operates as "one big extended family," she said.
Nursing care is important, but medical tasks take a back seat to the living component, Ms. Hanley said. Clinical support can be delivered, if it is needed. If physical therapy is needed, the physical therapist comes to the house. A dietitian visits each house to ensure the proper diet is maintained, she said.
During the day, there is one nurse assigned to two houses. At night, one nurse is assigned to three houses, Ms. Hanley said. An elder’s pills are stored in his or her room, not at a nurse’s station.
"Real home" is just that — a small building that is more home-like and less institutional than a nursing home with shared rooms radiating off a long corridor. The elders will be encouraged to be more mobile, because there will not be a 120-foot-long corridor to navigate, Ms. Hanley said.
The design of the house more closely resembles a private home, with a private room and bath for each elder. There is a large living area with a hearth, an open kitchen and a dining table. Family members are encouraged to visit at any time. The aroma of food emanating from the kitchen means the elders’ appetites will improve, she said.
Morris Hall Meadows is an extension of Morris Hall/St. Lawrence Inc. Morris Hall consists of St. Mary’s Assisted Living and St. Joseph’s Skilled Nursing Center. St. Lawrence Rehabilitation Center provides physical, occupational or speech therapy to people who need help — not necessarily residents of the assisted living or long-term care facilities.
Although Morris Hall/St. Lawrence Inc. is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton, Morris Hall Meadows — and the assisted living facility and skilled care nursing home — is open to everyone, regardless of religious belief or affiliation, Ms. Hanley said.
"The goal of the Green House Project (and Morris Hall Meadows) is to give options to consumers," Ms. Hanley said. "It will not appeal to everyone. If someone is independent and values privacy, this is appealing. It’s a different model or option for providing long-term care."