Long-Term Care

A New Alternative in Extended Care Offering Warmth, Compassion and Growth

The decision to seek extended care for a loved one — and selecting the right environment — is often difficult. The Eden Alternative™ provides a lively, home-like environment filled with gardens, pets, and children. This way of life offers diversity, spontaneity, and companionship.

The Eden Alternative™ is a long-term care philosophy developed in 1991 by William H. Thomas, MD. Caregiving is based on the philosophy that residents need the same stimulation, camaraderie, and empowerment as they had when they cared for themselves. This helps residents overcome feelings of loneliness, boredom, and helplessness often associated with traditional extended care.

The Eden Alternative™ seeks to care for the whole human being, not just medical necessities. Through the Eden experience, residents continue to express themselves and grow emotionally as well as spiritually.

Commitment and Quality You Can Count On

The Eden Alternative™ is the established philosophy of Kalkaska Memorial Health Center’s extended care facility, located in the beautiful surroundings of Kalkaska County. Founded on the principles of quality and a commitment to care that’s professional and personal, you can be assured your loved one has a safe, warm, and comfortable home.

Because the Care Center is hospital-based, physicians and emergency medical care are available 24 hours a day. Nursing teams consist of RNs, LPNs, and certified nurses aides who work together to provide coordinated care around the clock. Rehabilitation services include speech, respiratory, occupational and physical therapy. As an affiliate of Munson Healthcare, speech and hearing testing, dental care, and other specialized services are available, as is emergency and air transportation.

Care Center Activities and Camaraderie

Activity is important to the health of the body, mind, and spirit and gives residents "a reason to live." This is the central goal of the Eden Alternative™.

A wide range of social activities is available to residents. Meals are served in a restaurant-style dining area and residents enjoy playing a variety of games. Special outings, pets, and children offer residents companionship and camaraderie. Television, movies, books, newspapers, and telephones are also available, and residents are strongly encouraged to maintain family ties and friendships.

Intergenerational Center Offers Daycare

The Intergenerational Center at Kalkaska Memorial Health Center is an integral part of the Eden experience. Each day the children join the residents to play games, cook, sing, and make crafts. These one-on-one activities provide growth and hands on experience for everyone.

Additional Amenities

Many amenities are offered through the Eden Alternative™ that enhance residents’ quality of life including:

• Personalized rooms: Residents are encouraged to decorate with their own personal belongings and furniture to create a cozy, home-like atmosphere.

• Pets: Birds, cats, and dogs are essential to the Eden Alternative™ environment. Pets stay in the Care Center 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Residents who are able and interested have the option of adopting a bird.

• Community Dining: Residents dine buffet style, giving them the option of making their own meal selections.

• Special Occasion Celebrations: Residents’ birthdays, anniversaries, and other significant days can be observed upon request.

Chapel services, personal laundry, and beauty salon services are also available to residents.

There’s No Place Like Home

If you’ve been searching for an extended care facility for a loved one, we encourage you to schedule a tour and meet our staff. In one visit you’ll see why the Eden Alternative™ at Kalkaska Memorial Health Center may be that special home you’ve been seeking.

For more information regarding long-term care at Kalkaska Memorial Health Center please contact Pam Vesey at (231) 258-7574, or email kmhc@mhc.net.

If you are a Munson Healthcare patient and have a compliment, concern, or complaint, please contact one of our Patient Liaisons.

We welcome your comments and suggestions about this Web site.