They took something that was very comfortable and made so many changes that we're uncomfortable. Greystone's plans may be less for today's seniors and more for tomorrow's. The notion of more positive aging environments isn't entirely new. The Eden Alternative in upstate New York, for instance, teaches people how to create habitats for active people rather than facilities for the frail and elderly. Calif. At Silverado, staff members are encouraged to bring pets and children to work.
Residents interact with both.
Residents even those in wheelchairs have their own garden. Since 1997, Silverado has seen 193 new residents regain their ability to walk, another 121 resume feeding themselves, more than 40 more regain bladder control. It's lack of use. So while facilities like Silverado may cost a bit more on the one hand, they save even more, he says. A shorter period of intensive nursing care translates to a shorter period of high-cost health care.