In early 2006, David Seaton, an innovator in holistic long-term care for individuals with cognitive disabilities, heard an interview with Dr. Bill Thomas on National Public Radio about transforming long-term care in America. As Dr. Thomas explained the mission and philosophy behind the Eden Alternative, Seaton, who owned and operated a long-term care facility for individuals with cognitive disabilities in central Texas, became intrigued.
What Dr. Thomas had to say about the Eden Alternative philosophy really resonated with him. In fact, Seaton had long held similar beliefs that long-term care ought to be about supporting continued growth and well-being rather than accepting stasis and decline. The Eden Alternative seemed to offer an approach that could not only enhance the lives of elders, but also the lives of individuals with cognitive disabilities (e.g., brain injury, developmental, intellectual disabilities, mental illness. etc.)—a population Seaton had worked with for over 25 years. But there were some big differences in his residents and the elder population of Eden’s focus. Unlike elders who have lived a long, full life, many people with cognitive disabilities have had a life interrupted by injury or illness at a young age, their life’s dreams destroyed or radically changed. Some may have lived with their disability since birth and have required support all their lives. Nevertheless, Seaton felt the underlying philosophy and approach to care were the same. His vision of transforming his long-term care facility into an Edenized “LifeLong Living” Community started to take shape.
In the Fall of 2007, Seaton took his first major step with Eden Alternative by getting his LifeLong Living Community registered as the first Eden Home for people with cognitive disabilities. And in 2009, his non-profit, the Seaton Foundation, partnered with the Eden Alternative to establish Eden LifeLong Living (ELL) to promote well-being and a better quality of life for individuals with cognitive disabilities and the staff that support them.
The Eden LifeLong Living Philosophy
Eden LifeLong Living is based on the belief that individuals with cognitive disabilities can have a good quality of life and continue to grow and learn within a supportive living environment.
ELL promotes the well-being of all members of the LifeLong Living Community—residents and staff alike. When environments offer opportunities for growth, purpose, and companionship, everyone thrives. All human beings deserve the chance to live a meaningful life, regardless of cognitive ability. By transforming traditional long-term care environments into vibrant LifeLong Living Communities, Eden LifeLong Living helps to create a better and brighter future for people with cognitive challenges.
Training Workshops
Eden LifeLong Living’s one-day training workshop provides an introduction to Culture Change and the ELL philosophy for owners, directors and support staff of long-term care facilities, and other professionals who support people with cognitive disabilities. In the course of the workshop, participants will learn how the ELL principles and ideas can be applied to any long-term care environment for individuals with cognitive impairments. Owners and directors will also discover that improving the well-being of staff and residents improves the well-being of the business as well.
Eden LifeLong Living training workshops are scheduled to begin in Winter 2009. For more information, please contact
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Visit Eden LifeLongLiving website
