A New Way Of Thinking About Long Term Care

Training

Following on from the overwhelming interest in the Eden Alternative™ generated by Dr Thomas during his visit to the Aged Care Queensland State Conference at Coolum in March 2000, the Australian commitment to finding a better way for our elders has been overwhelming. Around 260 Australians have already been trained as fully qualified Eden Associates. Since then, those Associates have been implementing a new culture throughout aged care services across Australia with some wonderful reports of improved relationships with their clients and families.

What is an Associate?

Eden Alternative™ Associates are people who have completed training in the principles and practices of the Eden Alternative™. When he first started out, Dr Thomas thought he could teach people to teach others about Eden in just a couple of hours. It turns out that he can’t. As a result, he has developed the Associate Training.

The Associate Training teaches the Ten Principles of the Eden Alternative™ and gives specific suggestions and guidelines for putting them into practice. Also, it helps us learn about each other and create communities of support after we leave the training, roll up our sleeves and go to work teaching, preparing for and implementing the Eden Alternative™ philosophy.

We already have a rule driven, punitive regulatory system designed to punish those who give bad care. What we have lacked, until the Eden Alternative™, is a principle-driven reward system designed to honour and celebrate those who give great care.

Interested in Becoming an Associate?

Training requires a commitment from Owners, Boards of Management, Managers and all Staff to support those in their organisation who are genuinely able to effect change. With your support these Change Managers can warm your organisation and create a life worth living within your aged care facility. It also requires a financial investment to cover the costs of training and bringing Dr Thomas and his trainers to Australia from the United States. The Training will cost participants an investment of AUS$2,500 for the three-day course and this investment could change aged care to a create a life worth living in your aged care facility.

As an idea, some creative Associates and aged care services found 5 sponsors in their local area who contributed $500 each towards the cost of training the Associates. Potential sponsors were Local Government, Vets and pet food suppliers, pharmacists, medical practices, suppliers of products to the aged care service and other supporters of the homes. It doesn't have to cost the home too much.

If you are interested in Eden Alternative™ Associate Training, complete the following questionnaire and submit it to reserve your place on this course. Completion of this form will be your booking for a place on the course and a separate form is required for each person attending.