One of the residential choices at Jennings includes our small house residences at both Jennings at Notre Dame Village in Chardon and Jennings' Garfield Heights campus. These residences were intentionally designed to reflect a natural home architecture with features such as open kitchens, family-style dining, fireplaces, and accessible outdoor spaces. The environment and care practices in the small houses align well with the Green House Project, first established in 2003 by Dr. Bill Thomas to promote nurturing environments over medical models to help elders thrive.

"Green House principles align with Jennings' values," explains Jennings President and CEO Allison Q. Salopeck. "This model of care prioritizes person-centered values, person-directed care and empowered staff. The principles are particularly well-suited to small house assisted living, where the limited group size encourages community and familiarity."

The physical environment of the small houses offers the familiarity and comfort of home, which can reduce confusion and agitation, especially for residents with cognitive impairment like dementia. The environment can also have therapeutic benefits, promoting relaxation and a sense of security. Residents are likely to engage in activities, entertain visitors, and participate in community life when they feel at home.

The Green House model distinguishes itself through its small-home approach, where relationships between residents and consistent caregivers form the foundation of daily life, supporting cognitive health with empathy and respect. This model has been shown to improve residents’ quality of life, reduce depression and maintain residents’ self-care abilities for longer By prioritizing person-directed care, home environments, empowered staff, and community integration, this model offers measurable benefits for residents, families, staff, and providers alike. As the demand for high-quality assisted living grows, the Green House model provides a sustainable, compassionate blueprint and a place where older adults thrive.