As his dementia progressed, C. Edwin Schlinkman became more withdrawn.

Formerly outgoing, the retired linotype operator interacted less and less, said his son, Robert Schlinkman.

But then his 101-year-old father moved into Goods Run, one of Mennonite Home's new skilled-nursing "households," designed to create a more homelike and less institutional environment for residents.

The change was immediate, the younger Schlinkman said. Now his dad is more sociable, and enjoys talking — sometimes playfully — with family, staff and other residents.

Mennonite Home's conversion to households, incorporating a person-centered approach that's gaining in popularity across the country, began earlier this year and will continue through 2009.

It's a key component of a $13 million physical renovation and "culture change" at the 105-year-old continuing-care community.

Changes abound
The face-lift is going on inside and out. While the skilled-nursing area is being turned into nine households with up to 28 people each, the exterior of the brick building along Harrisburg Pike in Manheim Township is being transformed as well.

Stone, stucco and cement board finishes have been added, along with bump-outs and faux gables.

"The goal is to give it a contemporary look," said John D. Sauder, vice president of health services at Mennonite Home Communities, which consists of Mennonite Home and Woodcrest Villa.

"We tried to tie it in with what's going on inside," he said. The original facade "looked like an old people's home."

Other recent improvements include an all-season room, a café serving Starbucks coffee, a library, a country store and a new elevator tower.

"We want to create more intimate spaces," Sauder said.

Benchmark Construction Co. Inc., Brownstown, is the general contractor, and Reese, Lower, Patrick & Scott Ltd. is the architect for the renovation.

An industry trend
In total, the households will consist of 190 beds, six fewer skilled-nursing beds than Mennonite Home had before.

Though Goods Run, which opened in March, has room for 28 residents, the rest of the households will accommodate 16 to 22 people.

Residents moved into the next two, Swarr Run and Trout Run, earlier this month. (All are named after Lancaster County streams. The others are Boyers Run, Meadow Run, Reed Run, Jackson Run, Lititz Run and Wissler Run.)

Each household has a front door, which opens to reveal a living room with fireplace and flat-screen TV; a parlor; a dining room and residential-style kitchen; a washer and dryer; and even a spa with whirlpool.

The traditional nurses station also has been eliminated, Sauder said, and replaced with charting and medication rooms tucked away from the main living area.

Resident rooms are configured and furnished differently, too, he said.

Before, most skilled-nursing rooms were semiprivate, Sauder said. Now there are more private rooms, along with "modified" private rooms, where two people each have their own space (separated by a wall) but share a bath.

The rooms feature carpeting and accent wall colors, and some even include armoires and window seats.

Sauder said he first became acquainted with the "culture change" trend two summers ago at a convention and quickly learned much more about what it entails.

"Nursing homes were modeled after hospitals and did not feel like home at all," he said.

Now, it's time to move in that direction, Sauder said.

Among other Lancaster County skilled-nursing communities that employ the household concept, or are planning to, are Garden Spot Village in Earl Township and Homestead Village in East Hempfield Township.

Nationally known consultant LaVrene Norton, of Action Pact Inc., is working with Mennonite Home on the conversion.

According to her Web site, culturechangenow.com, "Action Pact Inc. is a company of trainers, consultants and educators who assist nursing homes and other elder-care organizations in becoming resident-directed.

"We do this by encouraging the development of small, familiar communities, which provide more opportunities for elders to give care, make decisions and have control over their daily lives."

For example, residents can rise as early — or as late — as they want and choose their own breakfast, prepared for them in the household kitchen, Sauder said.

Lunch and dinner are cooked in the main kitchen but served on plates in the household kitchen. Even the Fiestaware plates are reminiscent of home, he said.

Andrea Petrillo, whose mother, Theresa DeStefano, lives in Goods Run, said the household arrangement has improved her mom's health and quality of life substantially.

Mrs. DeStefano, who has dementia, got so much better she was taken out of hospice care, her daughter said.

Robert Schlinkman, too, is happy to see his centenarian father regain some of his vitality.

"He's having a good time," his son said.

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Paula Wolf is a staff writer for the Sunday News. She can be reached by e-mail at pwolf@lnpnews.com.