For years the reputation of the retirement home has been held in a negative light. Most Americans, sadly, have seen these facilities as an institution for the elderly to go and die. Not until recently have we seen a change in this reputation. With the onset of the person centered care model, the residents of long-term care facilities are now in full control of their care. This means that it is up to them to decide what kind of environment they want to live in and how they want to be cared for. Retirement homes have moved away from the strict regimented institutional-like way of care, to a more humane and self fulfilling method of care. In a quote taken from the founder of the Person Centered Care Model Eric Haider, person centered care can be understood as,
A philosophical shift from care & protection of the body to support of people in obtaining lives of personal satisfaction. Person Centered Care gives personal attention to the people who live in Long Term Care and empowers staff to be a resident advocate. We believe in honoring each person’s dignity, rights, self-respect, and independence by giving them choices, respecting their wishes, meeting their needs, involving them in decision making process, giving them the control of their life and keeping them actively involved, happy and as healthy as possible. (PersonCenteredCare.com).
This brings me to the topic of the baby boomers. There are many reasons for the changes within the long term care facility industry but, most importantly they are because of the up and coming retirement of the nations almost eighty million baby boomers. This is going to be a challenge for our country to accommodate and care for these people. “While the baby boom generation grows older and begins to retire, it is estimated that the number of persons aged 64 and up will most likely double by 2030 (CBO Study).” It is predicted that there will be a huge spike in the number of long-term care facilities being constructed in the next decade. The green movement is very popular within the baby boom generation. In an article from the wall street journal, Matthew Kahn, a professor at UCLA's Institute of the Environment couldn’t have said it better: “Baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, grew up alongside the environmental movement of the 1960s and '70s. These guys were at Woodstock. This is the birth cohort that was at the environmental movement's summer of love” (Market Watch). There is so much that is involved with the care of elderly, from medical supplies and food to energy and transportation to waste treatment that it could potentially impact environment but, is it worth it?
Moreover, yes, it is worth it for a facility to “go green”. Making long term care facilities environmentally sustainable or "green" is possible and very beneficial. Through sustainability LTCF's can reduce energy consumption and waste output. Going green can greatly reduce energy costs making the decision to go green wise from a business stand point. Not only will it reduce operational costs, but it can improve the air quality within facilities creating a healthier environment for its residents.
I will discuss topics that involve the improvement of air quality, recycling, the reduction of energy costs and the road blocks to jump starting sustainability practices within in the industry.
First of all, when a facility decides to convert or build a new facility in accordance with sustainability norms, one of the major changes that the facility must undergo is the improvement of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Improving the HVAC systems will inherently raise the quality of the circulating air within the facility. Indoor air quality can have many positive health impacts for the residents of a facility. By installing HVAC systems that are labeled airPLUS the quality of indoor air is greatly improved. This is because an airPLUS labeling decreases the amount of toxic chemicals and pollutants from entering a facility (airPLUS). Common pollutants that can be in indoor air are mold, radon and carbon monoxide. “These pollutants can lead to eye irritation, headaches, allergies, respiratory problems and other serious health problems “(airPLUS). “A patient with environmentally associated symptoms is most likely to have been exposed to airborne substances originating indoors. Studies from the United States and Europe show that persons in industrialized nations spend more than 90 percent of their time indoors. In addition, the concentrations of many pollutants indoors exceed those outdoors. The locations of highest concern are those involving prolonged, continuing exposure - that is, the home, school, and workplace” (EPAhelpquide).
In addition, the few draw backs to the installation of efficient HVAC systems are that it can be very expensive. These systems can be more costly then traditional HVAC systems. But the improved air quality and long-term drop in operational costs due to the lower costs of running the efficient HVAC systems out way the initial installation costs of the HVAC systems. Another drawback is that the maintenance of the systems can be expensive. These systems require continuous cleaning and inspection creating high maintenance costs.
As mentioned above, the healthcare field is inherently slow to change. I asked Mr. Dapore if his company has made any significant strides towards implementing “green” practices within his facility. He said “Provider Services LTC, hasn’t made any significant changes except for the recycling practices in the facility”(Telephone Interview). “Producing items and materials with recycled components’, instead of from scratch with raw materials, uses 30 to 55% less energy for paper products, 33% less for glass, 90% less for aluminum”(handbook). “Recycling can limit solid waste output significantly and can be cut down by almost 70%” (Building Impacts presentation). “Providing clear instructions to residents on how to prepare and where to leave material to be recycled or trashed can simplify the recycling program in a facility. Most facilities provide a multiple separate bins for glass, certain plastics, and cans”(handbook). Some of the proper methods of recycling in a facility would include but are not limited the purchasing of food that is packaged in recyclable plastics, avoid cleaning supplies that have pollutants in them, avoid paper plates and plastic utensils, use and purchase recyclable medical supplies. Some draw backs of the implementation of a recycling program in a LTCF is that recyclable materials can be expensive and the time and effort that goes into the sorting of recyclable materials can be a strain on a facility but the positive impacts on the environment and the reduction of the production of solid waste should out way the costs and time needed to run a recycling program.
Furthermore, saving energy can have a huge impact of the environment and operational costs. “Only 10% of the energy consumed by a normal light bulb generates light. The rest just makes the bulb hot. If every American household replaced one of its standard light bulbs with an energy efficient compact fluorescent bulb, we would save the same amount of energy as a large nuclear power plant produces in one year. In a typical home, one compact fluorescent bulb can save 260 pounds of CO2 per year” (handbook). In most cases, when management pays the utility bill, the bill usually includes possible incentives that can be applied to the utility bill if the facility switches from incandescent light bulbs to fluorescent light bulbs. Management should arrange for a discounted sale of compact fluorescent light bulbs to residents (handbook). Most lights burn until someone turns them off, the installation of motion detectors and timing systems can reduce the use of energy. A well insulated facility will contain heat or air more effectively reducing the energy needed to power HVAC systems. Also, using a water heater that is solar powered can greatly reduce the facilities carbon footprint. “Investing in a solar water heater can save 4.9 tons of CO2 annually” (handbook). Again the major setbacks to the above mentioned changes would be the monetary and maintenance expenses.
Some additional information on the use of appliances within a facility include, “setting clothes washers to the warm or cold water setting, not hot. Switching from hot to warm for two loads per week can save nearly 500 pounds of CO2 per year if you have an electric water heater, or 150 pounds for a gas heater”. Make sure dishwasher is full when you run it and use the energy saving setting, if available, to allow the dishes to air dry. You can also turn off the drying cycle manually. Not using heat in the drying cycle can save 20 percent of your dishwasher's total electricity us” (handbook).
Moreover, since law does not require going green, it is totally voluntary. There are two ways that a business can profit off of going green. One would be through claiming three different tax incentives; city, state and federal (Green Management). Another reason for going green would be for the businesses branding and marketing purposes (Green Management). Branding and marketing with a green image can be a very powerful tool especially with the onset of the green movement. Some other reasons for going green are because of the government incentives that are available for businesses to go green. Government incentives for conducting business in an environmentally conscious way vary from state to state but in Ohio, if a facility converts to an alternative energy source they can qualify for exemption of the properties sales and use tax (DSIRE). There are also many other tax incentive and rebate programs to promote the purchase of solar power (DSIRE).
Additionally, the overall biggest contributor to CO2 emissions into the atmosphere is caused by buildings around the country. Having a green facility can reduce energy use by 24-50%. CO2 emissions can be reduced by 33-39%. Water usage can be cut down by 40% and solid waste can be cut down by almost 70% (Building Impacts presentation). There are also a number of business benefits to going green. It is estimated that operational costs can decrease 8-9%. It is also estimated that building value can rise about 7.5% and occupancy ratio is said to increase around 4%. Due to cleaner air and quality lighting within the walls of green facilities, residents are healthier and more productive (Building Impacts Presentation).
Additionally, the market for green long-term care facilities is expected to grow. There are some new trends popping up around the country. According to on the nation’s largest home building firms Shea Homes, the baby boomers are looking for environmentally friendly community’s (market watch). A niche for eco-friendly retirement communities is being developed at a slow pace but facilities are creeping up around the country. Shea Homes has recently opened Victoria Gardens, which is a retirement development in Florida that will have 20-30% lower carbon footprint than the typical home (market watch).
On the other hand, “going green eats up time and productivity. The benefits for going green are mainly seen over a long-term span of time, but ultimately, companies are the ones with the financial burdens of unsure investments that look possible from the outset but is often and expensive. When companies lose money on such investments, workers lose jobs, and companies can go under”( associatedcontent).
Conclusively, I am a firm believer in the effects that humans have had on our environment. I believe that we have negatively impacted the environment on a huge level and that it is up to us to change our way of living by adjusting our producing and consuming practices in order to repair the world. Yes it will take time and vast recourses but it’s worth the investment. Yes some jobs might be lost but on a lighter note, there is a large potential for jobs to be created. In order for the green revolution to really take off, it must be done slowly and cautiously. With the expected demand for the rise in LTCH facilities I believe that this particular industry can adapt and change for the betterment of the environment and the improvement of the quality of life of the residents in a particular facility.
Works Cited
Building Impacts. Digital image. US Green Building Counsel. Web. 9 Feb. 2010.
Cohen, Stephanie. "Pitching boomers housing that is green as their hair goes gray." Market Watch [Princeton, N.J]. Print.
"Database of state incentives for renewable and efficiency." University of North carolina, 2009. Web. 10 Feb. 2010.
EPA. "A Green Home Begins with ENERGY STAR Blue." EnergyStar. Web. 22 Jan. 2010.
"Green Building Drawbacks." Do it yourself. Web. 3 Feb. 2010.
Gulyas, Carol. "Looking for Green Retirement Communities." Top Retirement Homes. 2006. Web. 29 Jan. 2010.
Haider, Eric. "Person Centered care Model." Web. 12 Feb. 2010.
"Indoor Air Plus." Indoor AirPLUS an Intro. EPA. Web. 7 Feb. 2010.
"Intro-What is LEED." USGBC. US Green Building Counsel. Web. 5 Feb. 2010.
Lane, Robert E. "Handbook on conservation for Retirement Communities." Sept. 2007. Web. 27 Jan. 2010.
Shackleton, Robert. "Baby Boomers' Retirement Prospects:." An overview (2003): 1-2. Print.
"Should Long-term care facilities go green?" Telephone interview. 15 Feb. 2010.
Tran, Ben. "Green Management:." The reality of being green in business: 20-22. Print.
Winters, Sevastian. "Is Environmental Consciousness Really All Good?" The Pros and Cons of the United States "Going Green" Associated Content, Inc., 3 Aug. 2009. Web. 17 Feb. 2010.
No comments:
Post a Comment