Milwaukee VA Medical Center

The new Green House located on the Milwaukee VA grounds, The Green House offers individualized care, something VA began when the shift to patient-centered care started earlier this year. - Photo by Amanda Urrea

A new way to provide long term care for Veterans begins late November when the Green House opens on the Milwaukee VA grounds.

The Green House focuses on a revolutionary small-house model of long-term care with a particular emphasis on elder vitality, respect, autonomy and dignity said Susan Gresser, Green House guide at the Milwaukee VA. The Green House offers individualized care, something VA began when the shift to patient-centered care started earlier this year.

Gresser oversees the employees and operations of the facility. She said she is excited about the start of a new way of giving care to Veterans.

“It’s certainly the right thing to do, to give Veterans the option of getting care. The care and caregivers will be more focused on the Veteran.”

Gresser’s position is the equivalent of a program manager. There are two more Green Houses in the works, and Gresser said she hopes a fourth will be approved soon.

Each house can accommodate up to 10 Veterans with their own private room and full bathrooms. There is also a communal space at the heart of the building where Veterans can gather and socialize. Activities for the Veterans will include bingo, cards, hosting coffee sessions, and the occasional outing.

The houses will also provide patios, porches, and green areas for Veterans to enjoy the outside.

“It’s a smaller and more intimate environment that promotes home, comfort, security and it gives the feel of family more than just patient and caregiver,” said Gresser.

The staff consists of 11 certified nursing assistants and five registered nurses. The CNAs role at the Green House is referred to as a universal worker because they are responsible for managing food preparation, laundry, personal care and patient growth and opportunity -- much bigger role than what is expected in a hospital setting.

“I was curious about how they were going to incorporate medical into this atmosphere,” said Lisa Brown, registered nurse. “And they have trained us on all aspects to make things good for the Veterans.”

Veronica McCoy, universal worker, said she can’t wait for the Veterans to start filling up the house.

“I’m excited to see the guys and so happy we’re doing this for them. This is going to be so good for them.”

In the weeks leading up to the opening, staff has gone through day after day of training to learn their roles and how to treat this environment different than from being in a hospital.

“Our training is in-depth and intense. We’re stressing every day that this is a home, and to treat it as such,” said Gresser. “In a very short period of time, the staff we have brought in have formed a bond as a group.

“Neat thing is the staff is enthusiastic; I’d even go as far to say passionate.”

For now, she said the focus is on making this Green House feel like home.

“It’s about things we take for granted. Smells of good food and laughter in the air when you come home,” Gresser said. “We can now provide that to the Veteran.”