Bermuda's nursing homes will be transformed from programme-centred institutions to resident-directed homes as the Department of Health seeks to improve residents' lives.

Rosheena Masters, The Department of Health Project Officer for Long Term Care, heard about the Eden Alternative almost seven years ago.

The Eden Alternative seeks to transform nursing home institutions into communities that celebrate residents by changing the format from programme-based to resident-driven, according to Mrs. Masters.

So, following a training session in Chicago with Todd Walter the director of resident quality of life at Burcham Hills Retirement Community in Michigan and a subcontractor for the Eden Alternative, she worked hard to bring him to the Island.

Mr. Walter met with the staff and families of the Sylvia Richardson Facility and the Lefroy House, for what Mrs. Masters said was an important training session.

She said: "It's Government's mandate to look at the reorganising the physical plants of the Sylvia Richardson and the refurbishment of the Lefroy Care housing.

"Along with that there needs to be some transformation organisationally. How do we do things differently? How the staff feel about their jobs?

"The Eden Alternative first came to my attention in 2001. This is not just to enhance the experience of the elders but that of the staff too.

"We do an excellent job at programmes but where we can improve is where we focus on the resident. They still have a place in how their lives evolve.

"Getting old is not about declining and deteriorating it's about still growing and still having opportunities.

"The educational component was the greatest success and have people understanding why this is important. Something that is resident-directed rather then programmed care.

"Him coming to Bermuda was a phenomenal feat to expose people to the programme."

And Warren Jones, the Permanent Secretary of Health, said Minister Nelson Bascome was supportive of this improvement.

"The Ministry has been actively working to ensure that the dignity and wellbeing of our seniors in nursing care is enhanced," he said.

"The Minister has also seen the Eden Alternative presentation and is extremely supportive of this association."

For three days earlier this year, Mr. Walter worked with almost 90 percent of the staff as well as family members of the clients to instill in them a "change in culture".

He focuses, he said, on the three main problems which arise from nursing homes which are loneliness, boredom and helplessness.

Introducing children, animals and gardens are ways to help the elders in these homes feel like their lives are still their own.

And this is how, Mr. Walter, said he would like to see the elder homes in Bermuda transformed, which is a possibility as the size of these two homes is quite small.

He said: "The Eden Alternative is a culture change. Because we operate out of a medical model only, we lose sight of the whole human being.

"What the Eden Alternative hopes to bring back into the nursing homes is bringing life. So not just visits once a year but on a regular basis.

"To have animals and gardens would help. We all long to have companionship and we all long to have spontaneity and variety.

"There's more and more research that mortality rates go down, staff roll over rates are low because we don't have the same out-the-door policy.

"We look at empowering the staff. We want to educate everybody as part of the community of change.

He said after vising the Lefroy House and Sylvia Richardson that they were small communities and so they have a real chance of improving.

"What I really saw was a transformation. I saw a lot of hearts and minds transformed."