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Eden Alternative

This philosophy provides guidance on how we can help people to continue to live meaningful lives when they can no longer live independently. It supports an environment that addresses the three "plagues" of loneliness, helplessness and boredom and creates a place where residents want to live, families want to visit, and staff wants to work.

The Bethany Group believes strongly in this philosophy and is striving to offer service based on the 10 Eden Principles:

1. Loneliness, helplessness and boredom account for the bulk of suffering among our frail Elders.
    
2. The Eden Philosophy commits to surrendering the institutional point of view and adopts the human habitat model that makes pets, plants and children the axis around which daily life turns.
    
3. The Eden Philosophy provides easy access to companionship by promoting close and continuing contact between the elements of the human habitat and the people who live within it.
    
4. The Edenizing Process strives to create opportunities to give as well as receive care.
    
5. The Eden Philosophy imbues daily life with variety and spontaneity by creating an environment in which unexpected and unpredictable interactions and happenings can take place.
    
6. The Eden Philosophy de-emphasizes the programmed activities approach to life and devotes these resources to the maintenance and growth of the habitat.
    
7. The Eden Philosophy de-emphasizes the role of prescription drugs on our Elders’ daily lives and commits these resources to the maintenance and growth of the human habitat.
    
8. The Eden Philosophy de-emphasizes top-down, bureaucratic authority in the organization and seeks instead to place the maximum possible decision-making authority in the hands of those closest to our Elders.
    
9. The Eden Philosophy understands that Edenizing is a never-ending process, not a program. The human habitat, once created, should be helped to grow and develop like any other living thing.
    
10. The Eden Philosophy requires Leadership that places the need to improve our Elders’ quality of life over and above the inevitable objections to change. Leadership is the life blood of the Edenizing process and for it there is no substitute.

To learn more about the Eden Alternative www.edenalt.org