Cappella of Pueblo West Senior Living Community is proud to share that, through the support of the Workforce Resilience Grant, our team has successfully completed their Certified Eden Alternative training. This training opportunity, provided by The Eden Alternative, reflects our continued commitment to strengthening person-directed care and fostering meaningful connections within our community.
“Our experience with the Certified Eden Alternative Training was overwhelmingly positive and energizing for our team,” said the Executive Director. “Team members were engaged, thoughtful, and open to learning new perspectives on person-directed, and relationship-centered care. The training sparked meaningful conversations about purpose, choice, and autonomy, reinforcing why we do what we do each day. Because our team members all serve within the same community, the shared learning experience created a dynamic environment where they could openly discuss familiar challenges and collaborate on practical solutions.”
About the Colorado Workforce Resilience Grant Program
Colorado’s Workforce Resilience Grant Program is an initiative launched by the Colorado Community College System to support rural businesses and individuals. The program aims to strengthen employee recruitment, retention, and upskilling efforts in rural areas. Funded by $750,000 in federal recovery dollars, the program offers grants ranging from $25,000 to $75,000 to eligible applicants. The funds can be used for a variety of workforce-related projects, including developing customized employee training programs, providing short-term worker stipends, and supporting career advancement opportunities with organizations. for workers.
What is the Eden Alternative?
Since its inception in the 1990s, the Eden Alternative has grown into an international movement. Its principles being embraced by nursing homes, assisted living communities, and home care providers alike. Developed by Dr. William H Thomas, it challenges the traditional institutional model of nursing homes and advocates for creating vibrant, life-affirming communities where residents can thrive and grow.
The Eden Alternative is built on ten guiding principles that address the “three plagues” that often afflict elders in institutional settings:
- Loneliness is combated by fostering close relationships and companionship with plants, animals, and people of all ages.
- Helplessness is alleviated by empowering residents to direct their own care and make meaningful choices.
- Boredom is eliminated by introducing spontaneity, variety, and opportunities for purposeful engagement.
The workforce grant will allow us to equip our team members and residents with the tools needed to combat these “plagues” and ensure our residents thrive.
A Home, Not an Institution
At the heart of Cappella of Pueblo West, we are committed to creating a true assisted living home for our residents. Thanks to the workforce grant, and our partnership with The Eden Alternative, we will continue to cultivate an environment that feels warm, familiar, and nurturing, a place where residents can maintain their autonomy, dignity, and sense of identity.
As our Executive Director shared, “Team members described the training as eye-opening. It help them reflect on how small changes in their approach can make a big difference in residents’ lives. Many expressed feeling more intentional in their daily interactions.” That intentionality is already being felt throughout the community. Residents have noticed more personalized interactions and a stronger sense of connection with staff— feedback that has been incredibly encouraging for our team.
Our focus addresses the issues of helplessness, loneliness, and boredom which can negatively impact overall well-being and health. Since completing the training, we have seen a meaningful shift. Team members are more mindful about honoring resident references, involving residents in decision-making, and creating special moments throughout the day.
We encourage residents to pursue their interests, form meaningful connections, and contribute to the community in ways that bring them purpose and joy. By fostering a supportive environment, everyone at Cappella of Pueblo West can experience health and well-being.
Person-Directed Care
Cappella of Pueblo West embraces the Eden Alternative, championing a person-directed approach to care. Residents are recognized as unique individuals with their own preferences, values, and life stories. Care is tailored to their specific needs and desires, rather than a one-size-fits-all model.
Residents are empowered to make choices about their daily routines, activities, and care, fostering a sense of control and autonomy. Through the workforce grant, our care partners have gained tools to build deeper relationships with residents, understanding their personalities and preferences in order to provide truly personalized support.
Looking ahead, our Executive director shared a vision: “My hope is that the Eden Alternative approach becomes fully embedded into our daily culture. I envision a community where residents feel deeply valued, empowered, and connected — and where team members find fulfillment, purpose, and pride in their work. Long-term, I believe this approach will strengthen our community, improve quality of life, and foster a truly vibrant, relationship-centered environment.”
At Cappella of Pueblo West our residents will experience Eden’s seven domains of well-being: identity, growth, autonomy, security, connectedness, meaning, and joy. While each resident’s experience is unique, the goal is the same, to support residents in thriving through self-determination, enrichment, individuality, safety, significance, belonging, and delight.
