Avalon by Otterbein

The small house neighborhoods of Avalon by Otterbein create a new alternative to traditional nursing care. This new model combines the warmth and companionship of home with all of the skilled clinical services in a residential setting.

In each small house, skilled nursing services are provided but in a residential setting within the neighborhood. People living there have many choices and are involved in decisions about daily living in each of the homes. In the small houses, elder assistants are specially trained to provide all of the daily functions needed in each home. Skilled professionals provide skilled nursing care, physical, speech and occupational therapy, social activities, spiritual services, and medical services.

The activities at Avalon small houses are person-centered. Many of the things the elders do are the same things they would do in their own homes, such as working or playing on their computers, knitting/crocheting, beading jewelry, cross-stitch, completing complicated jigsaw puzzles, reading favorite books or listening to favorite style of music, spending time outdoors or around the patio gardens, helping with household chores, visiting the neighbors, playing with the house dogs, etc.

Even the "organized" activities are driven by the elders' interests. A variety of small groups and individuals participate in various events based on their requests.

Some of the many features of the small house model include:

• No institutional schedules, meals or routines
• Smaller scale environment increases walking and decreases wheelchair dependency
• Small numbers of elders – 10 in a home
• High elder assistant staffing ratios
• Home cooked meals – including the individuals' favorite foods
• In-house laundry
• Recreation and activities customized to each individual
• Technology enabled
• Decreased bureaucracy
• Self-directed work teams