By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
Aiming to provide an alternative to traditional nursing homes, Morris Hall/St. Lawrence Inc. announced last week that construction is underway on Morris Hall Meadows — a development of 12 home-like buildings that will accommodate 10 senior citizens apiece.
The first phase of the project, which consists of six buildings, is expected to be completed later this year. The first home will be ready for its new occupants in June, and the remaining five will be ready by September. They are located on a 29-acre tract bordered by Route 206, Franklin Corner Road, Mill Road and I-295.
Noting that Morris Hall has provided nursing home care for 110 years, Darlene Hanley, the president and chief executive officer of Morris Hall/St. Lawrence Inc., said she was pleased to announce the opening of Morris Hall Meadows as the latest addition to its campus.
But this nursing home, which has been three years in the planning, will not be like traditional nursing homes, Ms. Hanley said. It is based on the Green House Project — a new model that de-institutionalizes nursing home care and focuses on making residents feel more as if they are living at home.
Ms. Hanley had visited Green Hill in West Orange, which is the first Green House Project nursing home in New Jersey, at the invitation of a colleague. When she returned to Morris Hall, she said last week, she realized that those values were compatible with the ones espoused by Morris Hall.
With the backing of Morris Hall/St. Lawrence Inc.’s board of directors, Morris Hall Meadows was launched. Board members visited Green Hill and agreed that "we have to do this," Ms. Hanley said.
Susan Frazier, who is the chief operating officer of the Green House Project, explained at the press conference that geriatrician Dr. Bill Thomas devised the Green House Project after working in nursing homes. As he was attending to a resident’s medical needs, she pulled him close and told him that she was lonely — and that was the genesis of the Green House Project.
Dr. Thomas discovered that residents in nursing homes appeared to age more quickly than those in other settings, she said. After some thought, he devised the Green House Project, which tries to replicate the conditions in a private home.
The first nursing home based on the Green House Project opened in Tupelo, Miss., almost a dozen years ago. Now, there are 168 homes in 27 states. Ms. Frazier said about 100 more homes are in the development stage, spread across six states.
"It takes someone willing to break through traditional thinking to make it happen," Ms. Frazier said of Dr. Thomas. "We are thrilled that you are making this part of the culture at Morris Hall. Change will start now."
The Green House model is based on three core values — a meaningful life, empowered staff and real home.
A "meaningful life" allows for the residents, who are 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. Consequently, each house takes on a different atmosphere.
The concept of an "empowered staff" encourages the staff to work closely with the elders. 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. They eat meals with the elders.
Nursing care is important, but medical tasks take a back seat to the living component. 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 that proper diet is maintained.
During the day, there is one nurse assigned to two houses. At night, one nurse is assigned to three houses. An elder’s pills are stored in his or her room, and 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 a long corridor to navigate.
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 fireplace hearth, an open kitchen and a dining table. Family members are encouraged to visit at any time.
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, but 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 and skilled care nursing home — is open to everyone, regardless of religious belief or affiliation.
"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."

