Where Care Feels Like Home: A New Kind of Senior Living

A Revolutionary Culture Change for Long-term Care in Nursing Homes

Since 2003, the Green House Project (GHP) has transformed elder care within the industry. Founded on the principle that everyone deserves to age with dignity, Green House Project aims to uphold this right by eliminating negative stigmas while providing a quality of care that is personalized and humane for all individuals. This is achieved through the development of innovative senior living environments that are non-institutional in nature, while empowering both residents and caregivers.

The Green House Project Team has helped organizations like Vernon Homes to implement Green House homes design and operational changes that lead to better outcomes for residents, substantially lower workforce turnover, and significantly higher occupancy than traditional nursing homes.

In Green House Project homes, caregiver turnover rates are significantly lower: Turnover of around 29 % in mid-2021, compared to pre-pandemic national figures near ~130 %.

Green House® Small-House Model for Quality Nursing Home Care and Empowered Staff

“Green House is just different,” Alex Spanko, Director of Communications and Marketing of the GHP, explained. “Most nursing homes operate based on the staff’s needs—taking blood pressures at certain times, meals served at specific times. The Green House model prioritizes the resident. It's a change in mindset, fostering a person-centered care culture where genuine connections with residents are proven to make a real difference.”

GHP’s mission is to collaborate with organizations to create feasible homes that offer more effective, meaningful, and satisfying living, working, and relationship environments.

Alex stated, “While the intimate home environment is a clear advantage, the most significant impact comes from the cultural transformations. Our goal is to serve residents by creating opportunities that bring joy, tranquility, and comfort.”

The Green House Project envisions communities with homes where Elders and others experience exceptional quality of care and life. It aspires to foster meaningful relationships among residents, their families, and staff, characterized by empowerment, and mutual respect. GHP seeks to create environments that are desirable places to live and work, ensuring protection, sustenance, and nurturing for all individuals regardless of their financial capacity.

How This Personal Care Model is a Center for Innovation

By reimagining senior care around the rhythms of real home life, this model has become a living example of innovation in action — where comfort, connection, and compassion drive better outcomes for all.

Vernon Homes Green House Community Initial Plans for an Innovative Care Model

Quality of Life & Wellbeing

• Home-like environment promotes comfort, dignity, and autonomy.

• Private rooms and baths give residents privacy and control over their space.

• Smaller household settings (10–12 residents) create genuine community and belonging.

• Person-directed care allows elders to make daily choices — meals, routines, and activities.

• Increased family satisfaction due to more natural, personal visits and engagement.

• Outdoor spaces that are often a courtyard or enclosed garden, so that elders can go outside safely and readily.

Improved Health Outcomes

• Lower rates of hospitalization and infection (including during COVID-19).

• Higher staff consistency leads to better monitoring and faster response to changes in health.

• Evidence-based research shows better physical, emotional, and cognitive outcomes.

Staff Empowerment & Culture Change

• Shahbazim (care partners) are cross-trained and form close bonds with residents.

• Flattened hierarchy fosters teamwork and shared accountability.

• Higher job satisfaction and lower staff turnover rates compared to traditional nursing homes.

• Meaningful work culture built on respect, empowerment, and shared purpose.

Operational & Community Benefits

• Efficient design reduces institutional overhead while improving quality.

• Positive reputation attracts residents, staff, and community support.

• Scalable model adaptable for rural or urban settings.

• Supports aging in place with dignity, aligning with modern eldercare values.

Green House is currently collaborating with Vernon Homes to provide staff education, with an emphasis on prioritizing individuals. The training aims to shift mindsets by promoting a consistent approach, ensuring that all staff members are equipped with a uniform skill set that can be maintained over time.

“The first question we ask our residents is, ‘What would you need to feel at home?” Alex concluded, “and that’s exactly what GHP endeavors to provide.”