July 14, 2004

SIU Med School and Lewis Memorial Partner to Improve Quality of Life

Residents of Lewis Memorial Christian Village in Springfield are now enjoying a better quality of life with implementation of the Eden Alternative, an innovative model of nursing home care. The improvements were made possible by a two-year grant received by Southern Illinois University School of Medicine from the Retirement Research Foundation of Chicago in February 2002.

"While the basic physical needs of most residents in nursing homes are met, their spiritual and emotional needs often suffer greatly. The project has focused on improving nursing home residents' quality of life at Lewis Memorial," said Dr. Richard Rosher, associate professor of medicine and chief of SIU’s geriatric division, who has overseen the project.

The Eden Alternative model is designed to incorporate changes in the management style and environment of nursing homes to reduce residents’ loneliness, helplessness and boredom. The model has been used successfully in numerous nursing homes throughout the country, including a few sites in Illinois.

The total budget of the grant was $61,189. During the first year of the grant, funds were used for education and training of staff. Sherry Robinson, Ph.D., assistant professor of medicine and clinical nurse specialist, provided more than 80 hours of education and training to more than one hundred Lewis Memorial employees and managed the project's implementation.

In the second year of the grant, plants, pets and supplies were added for the home's environment under the leadership of Paula Ori and Jodi Willoughby, team leaders. "Residents are involved with planting the gardens, caring for the two collie dogs and feeding the fish and birds, which has added a sense of purpose to many of the residents' lives," said Warren Dick, administrator of Lewis Memorial.

The project also fosters intergenerational connections with school children and sponsors birthday parties, ice cream socials and other activities for residents and guests.

Robinson collected data about residents' quality of life before and after implementation. The results indicate the new model has caused a decline in depression in residents. "There was a significant improvement in total family satisfaction. We received numerous comments from family members that residents are happier since the implementation of the Eden model. Most of the residents enjoy the dogs, birds, fish and plants that have been added to the home," said Robinson.

More quality of life changes are planned at the home including improvements to the outdoor areas and more interaction with children.

Established in 1977, Lewis Memorial Christian Village is a retirement community within a park-like setting that includes 46 cottage apartments, 43 congregate apartments and a 155-bed nursing home.

Rosher joined the SIU faculty in 1991 after 13 years in private practice. He is board certified in internal medicine and geriatric medicine. Rosher completed his internal medicine residency at SIU (1977) and later completed a one-year fellowship in geriatric medicine at Duke University Medical Center (1995). He earned his medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore (1974) and his bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin in Madison (1970).

Robinson joined the SIU faculty in 1998 after 28 years in nursing and education. She is certified in gerontological nursing. Robinson earned her doctoral and master's degrees from St. Louis University (1998, 1983), and her bachelor's degree from Northeast Missouri State College in Kirksville, Mo. (1970).