FAQs

Who can live in a Green House® home?

Anyone who needs long term skilled nursing care is a candidate to apply to live in the Green House® Homes.

Life in traditional long term care is often made over-medical. At St. John's, we believe that we need medical support to enable us to life a meaningful life, but that warm, caring relationships are the basis of each day. Residents, referred to as "elders," live as part of a "family" in the community while still benefiting from the full range of clinical services provided by St. John's.

How will I get the care I need?

With the support and Guidance of the New York State Department of Health, St. John's is the first in the nation to bring elders back to their hometowns, to live in homes, throughout the greater Rochester community. This is a new model of care provision, which utilizes highly trained employees who have skills in assisting with personal care, culinary arts, and household management. They are called Shahbazim, a Persian word meaning, "royal falcon." Shahbazim Sustain, Nurture, and Protect life of those who live in the Green House Homes.

What about meals?

Meal time will be meaningful and honor the lives of those who live in the home. Menu planning, shopping, and cooking will be an experience that is shared by the elders, Shahbazim, dietary staff, and the clinical support team. Elders, their family members, friends and care giving staff share meals together around a large dining table, recreating the traditional family meal. If they are willing and able, elders can cook meals, prepare desserts and snacks. Even those elders who are living with severe disabilities can experience and participate in a high quality of life. Discreet, ceiling-mounted lift technology ensures that they will have the assistance they need to be involved in the life of their Green House® home.

What is the cost?

The Green House® homes will accept Medicaid and Medicare. Private pay rates will be comparable to our long term care daily costs.

Who else works in the Green House Homes?

The Shahbazim are supported by an LPN 24 hours a day. An RN supports clinical needs in the homes 8 hours/day, 7 days/week.

A Guide supports the team dynamics while serving as the Administrator of the homes. Green House homes lend themselves to more engaged elders and employees. The household team will help hire, share in the performance evaluation process, and support meaningful activities at all times of the day.

Is the Green House Home Eden?

Yes, The Green House Home is the physical manifestation of the Eden Alternative with operational components that make Eden Values systemically implicit.

In this model, with its Eden Alternative foundational elements, elders are valued, respected, and given a chance to stay in their home town or community, in which they will live during their final years.

How do I apply?

Please call our Green House Guide, Rebecca Priest, at 760-7319 for application instructions or email her at rpriest@stjohnsliving.org. If you are currently living at St. John's Home, you can print and complete an application though the link below.

To learn more about how you might contribute to the important work of St. John's, please call the St. John's Office for Advancement at 585-760-1265 or send e-mail to: info-sjf@stjohnsfoundation.org