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The Eden Alternative at Work at West Ridge Care Center West Ridge is proud to be a registered Eden Alternative facility. The only registered Eden facility in the Cedar Rapids area, we have been a part of this culture-changing organization since 2000. West Ridge has live-in companion animals including dogs, a cat, guinea pigs, birds and fish. We have a variety of plants and encourage the Elders to grow and care for plants in their rooms. We also encourage the involvement of children in the life of the facility and in intergenerational programming. West Ridge has an ongoing relationship with the students at Truman Elementary as well as with other groups. We welcome grandchildren and great grandchildren with open arms. 
Spontenaity is embraced at West Ridge. Many times Elders will get together on their own to socialize or play cards. If you drive by in the summer you may see Elders and staff outside gardening or just watching the traffic go by. We encourage Elders and staff to take part in the care of our pets and in the other day to day activities. Our Red Hat ladies can be seen around town eating out, going out for ice cream or even getting makeovers at the mall! The ladies also enjoy hosting other red hat groups for socials and get togethers. 
Staff and Elders voluntarily serve on committees to help promote our Human Habitat. The Welcome Wagon, comprised of several Elders, is currently working on a guidebook that will be presented to new Elders moving in to West Ridge. The Pet Committee oversees the care of all of our companion animals. The Morale Committee is committed to maintaining a fun, enjoyable work environment, which in turns enhances the lives of the Elders. Eden is a never ending process. Please join us for the journey! Visit the Eden Alternative website for more information. | The Ten Principles of the Eden Alternative 1. Understands that loneliness, helplessness and boredom account for the bulk of suffering among our frail Elders. 2. Commits itself to surrendering the institutional point of view and adopts the Human Habitat model which makes pets, plants and children the axis around which daily life turns. 3. Provides easy access to companionship by promoting close and continuing contact between the elements of the Human Habitat and the people who live and work within it. 4. Creates opportunities to give as well as receive care by promoting our Elders' participation in the daily round of activities that are necessary to maintain the Human Habitat. 5. Imbues daily life with variety and sponteneity by creating an environment in which unexpected and unpredictable interactions and happenings can take place. 6. De-emphasizes the programmed activities approach to life and devotes these resources to the maintenance and growth of the Human Habitat. 7. De-emphasizes the role of prescription drugs in our Elders' daily life and commits these resources to the maintenance and growth of the Human Habitat. 8. De-emphasizes top-down bureaucratic authority in the facility and seeks instead to place the maximum possible decision-making authority in the hands of those closest to those for whom we care. 9. Understands that Edenizing is a never-ending process, NOT a program and that the Human Habitat, once created, should be helped to grow and develop like any other living thing. 10. Is blessed with leadership that places the need to improve resident quality of life over and above the inevitable objections to change. Leadership is the lifeblood of the Edenizing process and for it there is no substitute. 
| What is the Eden Alternative Registry? As a way of honoring those who would undertake the hard work of transforming their institutions into warm, Human Habitats, The Eden Alternative maintains the Eden Registry. The Registry is simply a public commitment to strive for the Priciples and Practices of the Eden Alternative. Elders and families must still make every effort to ensure that their needs can be met by the organization and work hard to build a relationship with the staff of the home. Please understand that The Eden Alternative has no operational control over any long-term care facilities. Our work is delegated to providing education and resources, not monitoring. We feel it is important, however, to honor those who would make a commitment to strive for a human community that supports the growth of all. The Eden Registry is patterned after the Scouts. Registered Homes are agreeing to abide by the Eden Principles, and to work toward creating a better world. So, just like in the Scouts, you will find Eden Homes at all different stages of the process. That doesn't mean one is better than another, just at a different point. The important thing to remember is that the organization has made a commitment to strive for a better way and that Eden is a never-ending journey. |
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