Effects of Green House(®) Nursing Homes on Residents' Families

A longitudinal quasi-experimental study with two comparison groups was conducted to test the effects of a Green House (GH(®)) nursing home program on residents' family members. The GH(®)s are individual residences, each serving 10 elders, where certified nursing assistant (CNA)-level resident assistants form primary relationships with residents and family, family is encouraged to visits, and professionals adapted their roles to support the model. GH(®) family were somewhat less involved in providing assistance to their residents although family contact did not differ among the settings at any time period. GH(®) family were more satisfied with their resident's care and with their own experience as family members, and had no greater family burden. Issues in studying family outcomes are discussed as well as implications for roles of various personnel, including social service and activities staff in a GH(®) model.