Pleasant Grove » Seniors at one Pleasant Grove care center have found Eden.

Alpine Valley Care Center recently became the first Eden Alternative-registered elder facility in Utah, adopting a philosophy that a care center should be fun.

The Eden program, based in Wimberley, Texas, believes seniors in traditional facilities are plagued by loneliness, helplessness and boredom, said Marla DeVries, Eden Coordinator for Mission Health Services, which operates Alpine Valley. To address those issues, the facility provides plenty of choices and activities designed to engage residents.

"It's about making this a home and not an institution," DeVries said.

That philosophy can guide even the smallest decisions, like what time to get up in the morning, said administrator Bruce Allison. Alpine Valley residents sleep in if they like, while early risers can have a continental breakfast before everyone has brunch, prepared by a short-order cook.

Decisions like what time to wake up might seem small, but traditional institutions often remove all sense of individuality from elders' lives, said Daniel Musto, Utah's long-term care ombudsman. He believes adopting a philosophy like Eden can help residents lead a meaningful life.

"When you move into a facility, you lose so much of yourself," Musto said. "You aren't able to make choices for yourself."

Once the day begins at Alpine Valley, there are plenty of choices to keep folks busy. A raised-bed, wheelchair-accessible garden lets residents grow their own produce, while others go on walks, do some shopping or participate in one of the many meetings or activities scheduled for the day.

"You can do just about what you want," said resident Sheila Evans, a long-time swimmer who adds the staff always make sure she gets to the Orem pool on a regular basis.

Field trips are a regular component of the Eden program. On a recent day, residents lined up in the hall, waiting to get on the bus to go to see "How to Train Your Dragon" at a nearby movie theater. Allison tries to make sure residents stay current on new releases, and recently took them to "Avatar." Other trips include Hogle Zoo, Thanksgiving Point and ice skating.

Residents also look forward to the yearly river rafting trip, Allison's pet activity as a former recreation therapist.

Evans was able to go last year, and was one of the younger crowd at only 74 (Allison's oldest rafter was 98). Folded wheelchairs are piled into one raft, while residents are divided up among other boats. Staff and guides are on paddle duty while seniors sit back and enjoy the rapids, reuniting with their wheelchairs at the end.

Animals are also a big part of the experience. Having a living being dependent on them helps some residents feel purposeful, DeVries said. Most of the residents have been caregivers their entire lives, and to suddenly be completely dependent on someone else can be difficult. With two cats, a canary and ever-reproducing rabbits, there is always an animal willing to snuggle.

"To love another creature is something most of them hold onto until their dying days," Musto said, adding that even elders with dementia can cherish the joy of living things.

Though not all of Utah's elder care centers are certifying through Eden, Musto believes the underlying philosophy is a growing trend. Most centers are focusing on a home-like atmosphere, instead of an institution.

"It's bringing the individual --- and individual choices -- back to long-term care," Musto said.

The Eden philosophy is also spreading. Two of Alpine's sister centers, West Jordan Care Center and Hillside Rehabilitation, also recently joined the Eden registry, and two more of Mission's other properties are working on getting certified. The movement is growing, Allison said, with more than 300 centers nationwide.

"This is sacred work," said DeVries. "That's why we're here, to create a pleasant world for our elders."