When families begin looking for long-term care for a loved one, they often have a long list of questions. What will daily life look like? Will my loved one have privacy? Will they have opportunities to make choices? What will the environment feel like? Will they receive the medical support they need? And perhaps most importantly, will it feel like home?
The Green House® Model was developed around the idea that long-term care can provide skilled nursing support while also creating a more residential and personal environment. At The Cottages at Texarkana in Texarkana, Arkansas, this philosophy is reflected in a cottage-style setting designed around dignity, choice, relationships, and quality of life.
The Green House® Model is an approach to long-term care that creates smaller, home-like households rather than relying solely on the traditional institutional model. The idea is simple: an elder's home should feel like a home.
The Green House® philosophy emphasizes privacy, autonomy, meaningful relationships, and person-centered care. Instead of viewing residents primarily through the lens of their medical needs, the model considers the whole individual.
One of the most noticeable differences is the physical environment. At The Cottages at Texarkana, each cottage features private bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, shared living spaces, a kitchen, and dining areas. The community also provides 24/7 nursing and personal care. These residential features are intended to create a comfortable environment where elders can spend time with one another while also having private space of their own.
For families, the environment can be an important consideration. Visiting a loved one in a comfortable living room or sharing a meal together can feel different from visiting in a traditional institutional setting.
Maintaining a sense of choice is important at every stage of life. The Green House® philosophy recognizes that moving into long-term care should not mean giving up every aspect of personal preference and routine. Person-centered care encourages elders to have a voice in their daily experiences, including activities, meals, routines, and social interactions.
This does not mean every day will look exactly the same. Instead, it creates room for individuality within a supportive care environment.
A home-like environment does not mean sacrificing access to skilled healthcare. The Cottages at Texarkana provides 24/7 nursing care along with physical, occupational, and speech therapy services. Rehabilitation services are available for elders recovering from surgery, stroke, heart attack, injury, acute illness, and other medical events.
This combination can be particularly valuable for families seeking both medical support and an environment that feels personal and comfortable. For short-term rehabilitation patients, the goal may be to regain strength, mobility, communication skills, or independence before returning home. For long-term residents, skilled nursing services provide ongoing support based on individual care needs.
The environment where someone lives can influence how they experience their daily life. A smaller household can make it easier for residents to recognize familiar faces and develop relationships with the people around them. Shared spaces can encourage conversation and connection, while private bedrooms provide opportunities for rest and personal time.
At The Cottages at Texarkana, the goal is to create a setting where elders can receive the care they need without losing the feeling of home. Choosing long-term care is a major decision, and there is no substitute for visiting a community and asking questions.
Families may want to learn about nursing services, therapy, meals, activities, private rooms, daily routines, family involvement, and how care plans are developed. A tour can also help families experience the environment firsthand.
The Cottages at Texarkana offers a 360-degree virtual tour as well, allowing families to explore the community's living spaces, dining areas, bedrooms, and therapy gym from home.
The Green House® Model offers families another way to think about long-term care. It combines skilled nursing and rehabilitation services with an environment designed around relationships, privacy, choice, and individuality. For elders, that can mean having a place where they can continue to be themselves while receiving the support they need.
And for families, it can mean finding a community where healthcare and quality of life are considered together. At The Cottages at Texarkana, the goal is simple: create a place where elders receive the support they need while continuing to experience the comfort, connection, and dignity of home.