Volunteer at Minnesota’s First Skilled Green House Nursing Home
The Gardens is our new long-term care facility on campus that strives to provide a home-like setting for our elders. It first opened in the beginning of this year and comprises six houses with ten elders in each house. Elders have a private room and bathroom. Meals are prepared with elders’ input in mind.
The Green House model follows the philosophy of elder-centered care. It allows a natural way for elders to receive health care while living in a long-term care facility. As well as striving to maintain and increase the meaningful experiences in their life.
Church Home vs. The Gardens
The Gardens follows much of the same principles as the Episcopal Church Home, which is based on the household model of care. The elders are empowered through choice, respect, and community. The Gardens takes it a step further with their elder-focused approach. These similar models of care allow for our volunteers here at Episcopal Homes to be versatile and maintain a sense of purpose.
Volunteers in the Gardens
The Episcopal Homes volunteer program seeks to promote the mission of the Gardens and enhance the lives of our elders. The elders in the Gardens are in need of volunteers. The focus of volunteers is about what our elders find meaningful to them. This can take focus in different ways such as reading, companionship, sports, writing, playing games and various other activities. These all go a long way in making our elders apart of the Episcopal Homes community.
What you can do to help
The Gardens no doubt about it offers a unique setting and opportunity to engage elders. So you may be wondering what I can do to help? You can help elders by escorting them to music events and church services. You can also ask what you can do to help.
Volunteer Spotlight
Natasha Brown is a volunteer that came to Episcopal Homes through HIRED, an organization that trains individuals for the workforce readiness through paid internships. Natasha now volunteers unpaid and is a valuable part of our Episcopal Homes elders’ lives.
Why do you volunteer?
I volunteer at Episcopal Homes because of the people. In my time here, I have built lasting relationships with the elders. Episcopal Homes is also close to my own home. I took time off of volunteering for a short period last year and every time I passed by on the light rail I missed the elders so I had to come back.
What do you do here at Episcopal Homes?
I do a variety of things here at Episcopal Homes. I assist the homemakers with meals in Episcopal Church Home. I also help with bingo 2 days a week and various other activities. Most importantly, I spend quality time with elders every day. Elders often offer me advice on life and talk about their own lives. I escort elders to events as well as appointments around campus.
What do you like about volunteering?
Volunteering at Episcopal Homes has allowed me to meet so many people. The elders remind me of my mother that passed away last year. Episcopal Homes feels safe and welcoming to me each time I come. The staff also has been great and I have built relationships with them as well. The Episcopal Homes community has become like an extended family member for me that I visit down the street throughout the week.
