Editorial

Well known for our development of group homes for the developmentally disabled, we have explored and are now proposing a similar approach be used for seniors as an alternative to other more common forms of senior living. Known as the Greenhouse Concept, in which the elderly live together in smaller settings of ten people in residential areas and are part of the community, People Inc feels that this is something that should be seriously considered in WNY and New York State.

“This model is being used in other parts of the country,” said Rhonda Frederick, People Inc COO. “It diminishes the need for large facilities and creates and environment where our elderly live together and enjoy the remaining years of their lives.”

By the year 2015, nearly a quarter of the people living in Western New York will be at least 60 years of age.

“As a candidate and now as governor, Elliot Spitzer has said the deinstitutionalization of the developmentally disabled is a model to replicate,” said Kevin Horrigan, Director of Public Affairs, “we feel he is sincere and think there is the opportunity to be in the forefront in WNY especially when you look at the rate at which are elderly population is growing locally.”

People Inc. has been a leader at working with federal, state and local governments at implementing the goals that were identified through the Supreme Court ruling of 1999 that were set forth in Olmstead v. L.C. (527 U.S. 581 (1999)). In Olmstead, the Court ruled that Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits the unnecessary institutionalization of persons with disabilities. In the words of the Supreme Court, services to persons with disabilities must be provided “in the most integrated setting possible.” We intend to do the same thing for seniors in our community.

Instead of an institutional setting, we aim to provide a homelike atmosphere for seniors. Utilizing an internationally recognized model in The Green House Project (http://thegreenhouseproject.com), where seniors thrive and live a meaningful life, full of dignity and worth. They live in traditional looking homes with 8 – 10 others, have their own room, share family-style meals and have the freedom to structure their own day. It is simply a group of people who chose to share a house and the activities of everyday life. Staff, including nurses, is available to help the residents with activities of daily living and any specialized care they may need. This model is currently being used in Mississippi, Ohio, Michigan, Florida, and Georgia.

For the past thirty years, group home living has been utilized for thousands of individuals with developmental disabilities in New York State. People Inc. currently operates 90 group homes for the developmentally disabled in Western New York. Additionally, we have 14 independent senior housing sites that are funded through the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) 202 program. When you tie in the fact that we also operate an Article 28 primary healthcare clinic, licensed and certified home healthcare services, we believe that we have all the necessary support services to provide a Greenhouse Project for seniors in WNY.

Happy Independence Day.