It’s all about culture … and relationships. (How 21 days changed my passion for elders)
Jeffrey L. Ahl, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, arCuretecture Principal

In an effort to create new architectural design solutions for the senior housing industry and with a goal of improving the emotional well-being of residents, Mr. Ahl embarked on a yearlong research project that involved moving into skilled nursing facilities to live life as a resident. To his surprise he learned that while there are some architectural elements that need attention, the vast majority of items that affect emotional well-being are driven by culture and the relationships between staff and the residents. The research took Mr. Ahl across the country and subjected him to various levels of care in diverse cultures. He learned that REAL Person-centered care makes a difference, and it is obvious which facilities have and live their mission.

In this session you will get an inside view of the how and why the research model was developed and executed. You will hear “stories from the road” and gain valuable insight about the importance of a positive culture and the impact your staff can have on residents through their relationships.  The stories are inspirational and intended to motivate you to continue your quest for continuous positive cultural change. These stories have also been developed in a manner that offers suggestions on how to exact changes in staff / resident relationships.