Wellbeing is a human right.  The Eden Alternative is committed to enabling all stakeholders to have a person directed approach with people of all abilities.  This is particularly necessary when it comes to the relationships that we have with people living with the disease of dementia.

To facilitate this, we offer dementia specific education which aim to enhance the understanding of a person directed approach for people supporting those living with fortgetfulness.

Reframing Dementia – an Eden Alternative Perspective

Focuses on the fundamentals of building meaningful relationships with people living with dementia and their care partners.

This 1-day learning experience, available as an in-house training, explores the art of building meaningful relationships as the fundamental building block of care that puts the person living with dementia first.

Participants gain a powerful appreciation for the role of sensitivity, awareness, and presence in identifying the needs of those living with dementia in long-term care communities. By reframing our perspective of what’s possible, we create a culture of care focused on the continued growth and development of people living with dementia and design a life worth living for all!

Participants will:

• See dementia and those living with it through different eyes;
• Explore the impact of loneliness, helpless, and boredom on those living with dementia;
• Apply practical approaches to relieving these Three Plagues that draw on the development of deep connections with people who live with dementia; and
• Identify how we benefit from the unique gifts people living with dementia have to offer.

Dementia Beyond Drugs – changing the culture of care

This workshop takes dementia learning to the next level.  Based on the award-winning book by G. Allen Power, M.D., “Dementia Beyond Drugs”, this in-depth 2-day learning experience uses the framework of culture change to create a new approach to caring for people who live with dementia.

Learn why the current paradigm for dementia care can never produce satisfactory results and explore an experiential model that facilitates growth, meaningful engagement, and improved well-being via the application of person-directed practices.

Participants will learn how to:

• Identify the limitations of our current approach to care for those living with dementia;
• Envision an “Experiential Model” for viewing dementia and recognise the importance of enhancing well-being for all; and
• Apply the model to everyday situations of need by using creative solutions to empower individuals to live full and positive lives.

Feedback from participants who have completed this course include:

“Wow. The Eden Alternative Domains of Wellbeing are an absolutely brilliant way to view anothers reality. I love the way we can begin to understand what it might be like for the person living with dementia.”

“I know that I can make a difference by putting myself in anothers shoes. Thank you Dr Al for your insight and passion.”

“Dementia Beyond Drugs has changed my life. I’m going to look beyond the behaviour and focus upon wellbeing.”

This two day event is offered to all interested people through the external training or is available in house for organisations who want to enhance their Eden Alternative growth by focusing more upon personal growth and wellbeing, and less upon medicating for behaviours of concern.

For upcoming external Dementia Beyond Drugs workshops go to our Upcoming Training page for further information.