Eden Alternative Associates are people who have completed a three-day training in the principles and practices of the Eden Alternative. When we first started out, we thought we could teach people to teach others about Eden in just a couple of hours. It turns out that we can't. As a result, we have developed the Certified Eden Associate Training which is delivered around the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand by Certified Eden Educators. Over 15,000 people have completed the training at this point, and the results have been very encouraging.

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.  Many people who work in long-term care organizations are Eden Associates, but the training is open to everyone.  We currently have elders, family members, state and federal surveyors, ombudsmen, volunteers, legislators, and even a few dogs who have completed the 3-day training.

By attending the three-day Eden Associate Training, Eden Associates have earned the right to teach and spread the good word of Eden in their own communities.  Many organizations send as many people as possible to our Certified Associate Trainings, as the special experience of becoming an Eden Associate is invaluable in making the commitment for the journey.

By becoming an Eden Associate, one is joining an ever-growing group of people who are committing to the hard work of changing the way we care for our Elders.  This invaluable network of caring people can draw on each others' experiences to help in their own journeys.