Our #GivingTuesday Countdown Challenge 13 practices down. 15 to go. Today, our focus is on Practices 14-20. As I said in Part 1 of this 4-blog series, we see GivingTuesday (December 3) as a chance to engage lots of different
I have news. Really good news. Grant funding has made it possible to fund a new position at The Eden Alternative through the first part of 2020. This news went from good to great when we found Danna Pentes to
Reflections from the New York Times, Hollywood, and Life… I watched a movie called Book Club on Hulu recently. Crazy with acting legends, like Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton, and Candice Bergen, it mostly reeked of rom-com. But there was something
We have something to celebrate! Last week, Health Professions Press released a new book by Jill Vitale-Aussem, President & CEO of The Eden Alternative®. In this video interview, Jill shares the inspiration behind Disrupting the Status Quo in Senior Living:
The Eden Alternative is associated with higher CMS Star Ratings and lower anti-psychotic use. Wow! July was an exciting month for The Eden Alternative. We received results from two different studies showing significant correlation between the implementation of The Eden
We are thrilled to announce the addition of Kimberly Wood to the Eden Alternative Home Office Team. Kimberly will work closely with our Education Coordinator, Meredith Martin, as Education Support. Like Meredith, she makes Murfreesboro, Tennessee her home, alongside her
Last week, we revealed the theme of our 2020 Conference: Move Mountains: Innovate. Collaborate. Get Results. If any organization can consistently show us how to innovate, collaborate and get results, it’s Sherbrooke Community Centre in Saskatchewan, Canada. A recent article
I recently read a study that found that only 13% of nursing homes in the US had comprehensively adopted culture change. I was beside myself. “Thirteen percent?!” I said, “Are you kidding me? How can that be possible?” Full disclosure:
Johnson Memorial Health Services (JMHS) in Dawson, Minnesota, became our latest Eden Registry Member on February 12, 2019. This stellar organization has services of all types to offer people, as their wants, needs, and desires change. Their new care center
Years ago, while volunteering each week at a local organization, I met a nice guy, Jim, who always wore the same hat… day in, day out. The rest of us benignly speculated about the ever-present hat… did he ever take
Breaking news! We, at The Eden Alternative, are so excited to announce the impending release of a new book by our President & CEO, Jill Vitale-Aussem. Soon to be available through Health Professions Press (HPP), Disrupting the Status Quo of
Wesley Woods of Newnan in Newnan, GA joined the Eden Alternative Registry on January 24, 2019, as our first new Registry Member of the New Year. Imagine heading south, out of Atlanta, down a busy I-85, and getting off at
The Eden Alternative has lost a vital part of our global family – Paul Bailey, Eden Educator and Mentor in the UK. Paul and his wife, June, founded the Eden Alternative UK & Ireland in 2005. Together, they made a
Most of us have pretty intense work lives. Heads down, we move from one project or issue to the next, checking off boxes on our to-do lists. We know we’re busy and exhausted but we can’t always identify exactly what
Reflections from our new Eden Registry Liaison… After the Eden Alternative Home Office Team processed and accepted the fact that Suzette Molina was leaving, we started to put together a “wish list” of the qualities, background and experience of our
Excellent leaders always seem to strive for something more, something better for their organizations. Deke Cateau is one of those leaders. We got to know Deke a few years back when he was COO of A.G. Rhodes Health & Rehab,
I recently had the honor of joining a virtual ritual convened by Age Without Borders. We gathered in observance of the 11 souls lost – many of them Elders – in a Pittsburgh synagogue shooting on October 27th. Our time
Guest bloggers Jennifer Carson and Pat Sprigg reflect on how to navigate life, we must embrace its complexity. Dementia support is no different. This blog was originally posted in ChangingAging.org. Some of the most important and sacred experiences in life
A couple of weeks ago, Eden Alternative President & CEO, Jill Vitale-Aussem posted “Dress Like a 100-Year-Old Day”: A Call to Action. Did you heed the call? Here’s how we did… we engaged author, Ashton Applewhite, Pioneer Network, and LeadingAge in
Our blog contributor Ashton Applewhite is author of This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism. Most Americans aren’t optimistic about getting older, and think the source of the problem is aging itself. So do most policy wonks, framing population aging
The Eden Alternative® has been around for over 20 years now. The resources and the approach have grown and transformed over time. Integrating the Principles makes a big difference in the lives of Elder, family, and employee care partners. Dr.
As you may have seen in last week’s Washington Post article, there was a provision in a bill before the DC Council that would affect the future of assisted living communities in the Washington, DC. Area. The provision proposed that
Dr. Bill and Jude Thomas, Eden Alternative Co-Founders, hit the road along the Atlantic seaboard recently to connect with Elders and others in the spirit of gratitude. What inspired this journey? A desire to “express gratitude for the Elders we
A recent post in McKnight’s suggests that better employee/family member relationships might improve employee retention. This caught my eye, as I came to this work as a highly engaged family member. I can affirm that making every effort to deepen
Whether you made it to the 2018 Eden Alternative International Conference (and just want more) or didn’t make it (and want some), you can either relive or experience for the first time several conference highlights on a special 2018 Conference
Our new President & CEO shares this touching reminder that together we are stronger. I travel a lot for work. But no matter how many flights I’ve been on I still get a little squeamish, especially in small planes and
It is little more than a week until we convene the 2018 Eden Alternative International Conference. What better person could we call upon to pump up hundreds of change agents than Co-founder Dr. Bill Thomas? I recently had the pleasure
“Trauma results from an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social,
Over 25 years ago, Bill and Jude Thomas laid the groundwork for what became The Eden Alternative. What began as a set of principles has grown into a powerful, practical model for person-directed care. With years of experience guiding culture
I really enjoyed this opportunity to hear from Sonya Barsness about her project, BEING SEEN. Check out this interview to tap into the power of presence and how being seen is a fundamental need for those who live with dementia.
What a pleasure it was to chat with Karen Stobbe and Mondy Carter of In the Moment about their groundbreaking work with improv and transforming relationships with those living with dementia. Check out this interview to learn how it all
This powerful blog written by Anne Basting, PhD, originally posted in ChangingAging.org earlier this year. As our keynote speaker for the welcoming session of the 2018 Eden Alternative International Conference, Basting will challenge and inspire conference participants to rethink how
I recently had the pleasure of connecting with Anne Basting, Founder of TimeSlips, about the power of creativity, how it enables us to be fully self-expressed, and its ability to revolutionize relationships. On May 3, Anne will open our 2018
Prairie Elder Homes in Overland Park, KS, joined the Eden Registry in January 30, 2018. Prairie Elder Homes are small residential homes that are purposefully located in residential neighborhoods. The setting is intimate with only eight residents and employee care
“Beep, Beep, Beep”, my alarm clock blares, and I roll out of an indistinguishable hotel bed — sheets white, pillows varying levels of fluffy, and traces of bleach linger in my nostrils. I exit my room, look left and right.
Parker at Monroe in Monroe, NJ, joined the Eden Registry on December 29, 2017. Home to 96 Elders, Parker at Monroe provides round-the clock, person-directed care services, including memory care for individuals living with all stages of dementia, who may
Go ahead, ask anyone working in any field today what their biggest challenge is. What do you think they will say? My experience has been that their answer is “communication” or some topic along that vein. Communication is a big
Signature Healthcare of Hart County in Horse Cave, Kentucky, joined the Eden Registry on December 26, 2017. This beautiful home is located close to the famous Mammoth Cave and the downtown historic district of Horse Cave. This town is a
New Horizons Tower in Toronto, ON joined the Eden Registry on December 21, 2017. This gorgeous high-rise building in the center of Bloordale Village is home to 88 Elders. Ideally located in the heart of its neighborhood, Elders have easy
“The late 1990’s were an especially exciting time for people with a passion for changing aging. We remember two lights that burned especially brightly at that time. Joe and Susan Berta didn’t just teach Eden, they lived it. They used
Today, we officially launch Early Bird Registration for our 9th Eden Alternative International Conference scheduled for May 3-5, 2018. I love the “Rise Up” theme we’ve chosen for the conference because it is such a perfect fit for what The
Regulatory expert/guest blogger, Carmen Bowman, has an answer: First of all, to answer this question, the “new” regs actually contain most of the “old” regs, so there is that. Much of these requirements should not be a surprise to any
Lee County Care and Rehabilitation in Beattyville, KY joined the Eden Registry on November 6, 2017. This small county home is located along the middle fork of the Kentucky River in the quaint town of Beattyville, Kentucky. Beattyville is best
Those that know me, or have had me facilitate a training, know that the phrase “I read a book …” is stated often. Well, it’s true, and here is one of my new found favorites. I read a book called
The Elders at Wesley Manor, located in Hattiesburg, MS, recently made a road trip to Red Bluff, nicknamed “Mississippi’s Grand Canyon.” A couple living at Wesley Manor came back from a trip to Red Bluff with pictures and stories that
A mere month stands between your great presentation idea for the 2018 Eden Alternative International Conference and the proposal submission deadline of July 8. What to do? What to write? Never fear… inspiration is here! What better way to get
Our minister began a sermon recently telling the story of the Zen master. The story goes that a university professor traveled to visit a famous Zen master to learn from him. They sat down and the Zen master served the
Mission at Community Rehab and Assisted Living in Centerfield, Utah joined the Eden Registry on February 20, 2017. This home is located in the quaint little country town of Centerfiled, Utah, a town that is rich in history and community.
As change agents, remember when we had to fight to be heard about the impact of loneliness on the human spirit? In the nearly 14 years I’ve been doing this work, I recall a lot of strained conversations about well-being
Leading Age Keynote Speaker Angela Duckworth Has the Answer… Grit. What is it? According to psychologist Angela Duckworth, there are very specific markers that define grit. The cliff notes are essentially this: perseverance and passion over the long-term. Sound familiar?
This post by Dr. Al Power was published on ChangingAging.org. All-or-none thinking” and “surplus safety” make it difficult for organizations to visualize a pathway to unlocking doors. At last, here is the final installment of this marathon blog post. First,
Here’s a thoughtful reflection on the work of Bill Thomas by Nate Burgos of Design Feaster. This is just an excerpt from the whole piece, which explores wonder from a variety of perspectives. I’m struck by the phrase “Start living your damn
Dad’s lesson #5 is that specialists aren’t always special. Nancy Fox would tell you that as human beings, we are all about creating constituencies. It is amazing how fast a group of complete strangers can bond and begin to demonstrate
I am always so inspired by this organization’s commitment to living the ten principles of The Eden Alternative in big ways. Undaunted, they have changed lives by arranging multiple Elder vacations for the people who live in their communities. There was
This post by Dr. Al Power was published on ChangingAging.org on July 30, 2016. Imagine if we considered locked doors in memory care wards as restraints. Having given many seminars on restraint reduction 15-20 years ago, I am very familiar
I recently watched a video about finance. The speaker began by explaining why he had an old beat-up kitchen table on stage. He talked about the history of that kitchen table, which came from his home. Although he discussed it
Pete Rose is the all-time Major League leader in hits, games played, and at-bats. He won three World Series rings, three batting titles, one Most Valuable Player Award, two Gold Gloves, the Rookie of the Year Award, and also made
Dr. Bill Thomas is always reminding us that education is the antidote to fear and resistance. Education is very important on the journey to person-directed care. Education needs to be provided, reinforced daily and refreshed periodically. With budget cutbacks a
Alice Lute stole the show at the 2016 Eden Alternative International Conference… in more ways than one. Not only was she an honored recipient of the 2016 International Eden Elder Award alongside Lucy Kennedy, but she took away the top
In honor of National Nursing Home Week, we have a treat for you. We, at The Eden Alternative, recently had the distinct honor of receiving three different poems from 3 inspired change agents. Not only do they touch the heart
Something happens for me at the end of every Eden Alternative International Conference. Within moments of the conference closing, I feel it… a sense of let-down or perhaps it’s “good vibes” grief. After two years of planning and nearly a
It’s the same story for every Eden Alternative International Conference. We are days away, and there are just a few submissions for the notorious Eden’s Got Talent event. Yet, every year the show ends up being a total delight, complete
“How has Mrs. Smith handled change in the past?” This was how we predicted how well a new nursing home resident would cope with adjusting to placement in 1983. For the most part, this simplistic rule of thumb seemed to
Riverside Care and Rehabilitation in Calhoun, KY, joined the Eden Alternative Registry on 1/25/2016. Located in McClean County, they are home to 73 Elders that are enjoying their recently remodeled home. They have new hardwood floors, gorgeous paint colors and
Points West Living Wainwright in Alberta, Canada joined the Eden Alternative Registry on January 21, 2016. This home is nestled in the small town of Wainwright, a unique town in Alberta that has a strong, vibrant & friendly community spirit.
Danville Centre for Health and Rehabilitation joined the Eden Alternative Registry on January 13, 2016. This home is located in historical Danville, Kentucky, a small town that is rich in relationships and traditions. The 106 Elders that call Danville Centre
Signature Healthcare of Putnam County joined the Eden Alternative Registry on January 12, 2016. Tucked away in the little town of Algood, TN, they are home to 150 empowered Elders. The folks who live and work here have gone to
Parkside Community in Chase, British Columbia, Canada, joined the Eden Alternative Registry on January 7, 2016, as our first new Registry Member of 2016. This is truly a living center with empowered Elders and employee care partners driving the rhythm
Every two years The Eden Alternative puts on an event. This is not just any event. It is an EVENT! We call it our international conference, but it is an EVENT. Note the capitalization for emphasis. For me, my very
It’s 8:00 a.m. I pop open my laptop and begin my morning ritual of checking my email inbox. Here I am again, communing with the virtual world, instead of the real world. As I’m thinking that there’s just no heart in all of this technology, something, well, cracks open my heart. Buried amidst thirty unopened messages is a little gem, something “sweet” that the sender thinks I “will enjoy.”
28 Simple Practices for Inspired Influencers, Part 3
Our #GivingTuesday Countdown Challenge 13 practices down. 15 to go. Today, our focus is on Practices 14-20. As I said in Part 1 of this 4-blog series, we see GivingTuesday (December 3) as a chance to engage lots of different
Introducing Danna Pentes
I have news. Really good news. Grant funding has made it possible to fund a new position at The Eden Alternative through the first part of 2020. This news went from good to great when we found Danna Pentes to
The Perfect Storm of Stigma and Surplus Safety
Reflections from the New York Times, Hollywood, and Life… I watched a movie called Book Club on Hulu recently. Crazy with acting legends, like Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton, and Candice Bergen, it mostly reeked of rom-com. But there was something
A Video Interview with Jill Vitale-Aussem About Disrupting the Status Quo of Senior Living
We have something to celebrate! Last week, Health Professions Press released a new book by Jill Vitale-Aussem, President & CEO of The Eden Alternative®. In this video interview, Jill shares the inspiration behind Disrupting the Status Quo in Senior Living:
The Proof is in the Data
The Eden Alternative is associated with higher CMS Star Ratings and lower anti-psychotic use. Wow! July was an exciting month for The Eden Alternative. We received results from two different studies showing significant correlation between the implementation of The Eden
Meet Kimberly Wood
We are thrilled to announce the addition of Kimberly Wood to the Eden Alternative Home Office Team. Kimberly will work closely with our Education Coordinator, Meredith Martin, as Education Support. Like Meredith, she makes Murfreesboro, Tennessee her home, alongside her
Sherbrooke Shines Light on Surplus Safety
Last week, we revealed the theme of our 2020 Conference: Move Mountains: Innovate. Collaborate. Get Results. If any organization can consistently show us how to innovate, collaborate and get results, it’s Sherbrooke Community Centre in Saskatchewan, Canada. A recent article
Move Mountains… Change Lives.
I recently read a study that found that only 13% of nursing homes in the US had comprehensively adopted culture change. I was beside myself. “Thirteen percent?!” I said, “Are you kidding me? How can that be possible?” Full disclosure:
Johnson Memorial Health Services Joins the Eden Registry
Johnson Memorial Health Services (JMHS) in Dawson, Minnesota, became our latest Eden Registry Member on February 12, 2019. This stellar organization has services of all types to offer people, as their wants, needs, and desires change. Their new care center
What You Don’t Know CAN Hurt You…And Others
Years ago, while volunteering each week at a local organization, I met a nice guy, Jim, who always wore the same hat… day in, day out. The rest of us benignly speculated about the ever-present hat… did he ever take
Disrupting the Status Quo of Senior Living
Breaking news! We, at The Eden Alternative, are so excited to announce the impending release of a new book by our President & CEO, Jill Vitale-Aussem. Soon to be available through Health Professions Press (HPP), Disrupting the Status Quo of
Welcome Wesley Woods of Newnan – First New Registry Member of 2019
Wesley Woods of Newnan in Newnan, GA joined the Eden Alternative Registry on January 24, 2019, as our first new Registry Member of the New Year. Imagine heading south, out of Atlanta, down a busy I-85, and getting off at
Remembering Paul Bailey
The Eden Alternative has lost a vital part of our global family – Paul Bailey, Eden Educator and Mentor in the UK. Paul and his wife, June, founded the Eden Alternative UK & Ireland in 2005. Together, they made a
Making an Impact
Most of us have pretty intense work lives. Heads down, we move from one project or issue to the next, checking off boxes on our to-do lists. We know we’re busy and exhausted but we can’t always identify exactly what
Ladies and Gentleman… Kris Angevine
Reflections from our new Eden Registry Liaison… After the Eden Alternative Home Office Team processed and accepted the fact that Suzette Molina was leaving, we started to put together a “wish list” of the qualities, background and experience of our
Deke Cateau Joins the Eden Alternative Board of Directors
Excellent leaders always seem to strive for something more, something better for their organizations. Deke Cateau is one of those leaders. We got to know Deke a few years back when he was COO of A.G. Rhodes Health & Rehab,
Tikkun Olam: Repair the World
I recently had the honor of joining a virtual ritual convened by Age Without Borders. We gathered in observance of the 11 souls lost – many of them Elders – in a Pittsburgh synagogue shooting on October 27th. Our time
No Control Freaks Allowed: Embracing the Complexity of Dementia Support
Guest bloggers Jennifer Carson and Pat Sprigg reflect on how to navigate life, we must embrace its complexity. Dementia support is no different. This blog was originally posted in ChangingAging.org. Some of the most important and sacred experiences in life
Action Taken: Saying No to “Dress Like a 100-Year-Old Day”
A couple of weeks ago, Eden Alternative President & CEO, Jill Vitale-Aussem posted “Dress Like a 100-Year-Old Day”: A Call to Action. Did you heed the call? Here’s how we did… we engaged author, Ashton Applewhite, Pioneer Network, and LeadingAge in
Who’s Going to Create a Better Narrative of Old Age in America?
Our blog contributor Ashton Applewhite is author of This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism. Most Americans aren’t optimistic about getting older, and think the source of the problem is aging itself. So do most policy wonks, framing population aging
Busting Myth #1 About The Eden Alternative: Drinking the Kool-Aid
The Eden Alternative® has been around for over 20 years now. The resources and the approach have grown and transformed over time. Integrating the Principles makes a big difference in the lives of Elder, family, and employee care partners. Dr.
Education, Not Segregation: Addressing the Stigma of Dementia
As you may have seen in last week’s Washington Post article, there was a provision in a bill before the DC Council that would affect the future of assisted living communities in the Washington, DC. Area. The provision proposed that
Gratitude Helps Us Grow – Dr. Bill & Jude Thomas’ Gratitude Tour
Dr. Bill and Jude Thomas, Eden Alternative Co-Founders, hit the road along the Atlantic seaboard recently to connect with Elders and others in the spirit of gratitude. What inspired this journey? A desire to “express gratitude for the Elders we
Stronger Together: Deepening Employee and Family Member Relationships
A recent post in McKnight’s suggests that better employee/family member relationships might improve employee retention. This caught my eye, as I came to this work as a highly engaged family member. I can affirm that making every effort to deepen
Ready, Set, Rewind… Conference Session Recordings Are Here
Whether you made it to the 2018 Eden Alternative International Conference (and just want more) or didn’t make it (and want some), you can either relive or experience for the first time several conference highlights on a special 2018 Conference
Bumps, Bubble Gum, and Bravery
Our new President & CEO shares this touching reminder that together we are stronger. I travel a lot for work. But no matter how many flights I’ve been on I still get a little squeamish, especially in small planes and
Changing Aging with Dr. Bill Thomas
It is little more than a week until we convene the 2018 Eden Alternative International Conference. What better person could we call upon to pump up hundreds of change agents than Co-founder Dr. Bill Thomas? I recently had the pleasure
A Serpent in the Garden
“Trauma results from an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social,
Breaking Ground with Jude Thomas
Over 25 years ago, Bill and Jude Thomas laid the groundwork for what became The Eden Alternative. What began as a set of principles has grown into a powerful, practical model for person-directed care. With years of experience guiding culture
Sonya Barsness Reflects on BEING SEEN
I really enjoyed this opportunity to hear from Sonya Barsness about her project, BEING SEEN. Check out this interview to tap into the power of presence and how being seen is a fundamental need for those who live with dementia.
Karen Stobbe and Mondy Carter are IN THE MOMENT
What a pleasure it was to chat with Karen Stobbe and Mondy Carter of In the Moment about their groundbreaking work with improv and transforming relationships with those living with dementia. Check out this interview to learn how it all
Stealing Hope
This powerful blog written by Anne Basting, PhD, originally posted in ChangingAging.org earlier this year. As our keynote speaker for the welcoming session of the 2018 Eden Alternative International Conference, Basting will challenge and inspire conference participants to rethink how
A Conversation with Anne Basting, Founder & CEO of TimeSlips
I recently had the pleasure of connecting with Anne Basting, Founder of TimeSlips, about the power of creativity, how it enables us to be fully self-expressed, and its ability to revolutionize relationships. On May 3, Anne will open our 2018
Giving Community, Connection, and Control Back to the Elders – Welcome Prairie Eldercare to the Eden Registry
Prairie Elder Homes in Overland Park, KS, joined the Eden Registry in January 30, 2018. Prairie Elder Homes are small residential homes that are purposefully located in residential neighborhoods. The setting is intimate with only eight residents and employee care
A Day in the Life – the ChangingAging Tour
“Beep, Beep, Beep”, my alarm clock blares, and I roll out of an indistinguishable hotel bed — sheets white, pillows varying levels of fluffy, and traces of bleach linger in my nostrils. I exit my room, look left and right.
Parker of Monroe Ends 2017 Eden Strong!
Parker at Monroe in Monroe, NJ, joined the Eden Registry on December 29, 2017. Home to 96 Elders, Parker at Monroe provides round-the clock, person-directed care services, including memory care for individuals living with all stages of dementia, who may
Communication, a Key Ingredient to Individualized Care
Go ahead, ask anyone working in any field today what their biggest challenge is. What do you think they will say? My experience has been that their answer is “communication” or some topic along that vein. Communication is a big
Welcome Signature HealthCARE of Hart County Rehab and Wellness to the Eden Registry
Signature Healthcare of Hart County in Horse Cave, Kentucky, joined the Eden Registry on December 26, 2017. This beautiful home is located close to the famous Mammoth Cave and the downtown historic district of Horse Cave. This town is a
New Horizons Tower Joins the Eden Registry
New Horizons Tower in Toronto, ON joined the Eden Registry on December 21, 2017. This gorgeous high-rise building in the center of Bloordale Village is home to 88 Elders. Ideally located in the heart of its neighborhood, Elders have easy
Worldmaking… Susan Berta Style
“The late 1990’s were an especially exciting time for people with a passion for changing aging. We remember two lights that burned especially brightly at that time. Joe and Susan Berta didn’t just teach Eden, they lived it. They used
Rise Up, Register, and Join Us in Atlanta
Today, we officially launch Early Bird Registration for our 9th Eden Alternative International Conference scheduled for May 3-5, 2018. I love the “Rise Up” theme we’ve chosen for the conference because it is such a perfect fit for what The
What would you tell people who feel anxious about meeting the new regs?
Regulatory expert/guest blogger, Carmen Bowman, has an answer: First of all, to answer this question, the “new” regs actually contain most of the “old” regs, so there is that. Much of these requirements should not be a surprise to any
Lee County Care and Rehab is Our Newest Registry Member!
Lee County Care and Rehabilitation in Beattyville, KY joined the Eden Registry on November 6, 2017. This small county home is located along the middle fork of the Kentucky River in the quaint town of Beattyville, Kentucky. Beattyville is best
Person-Directed Appreciation
Those that know me, or have had me facilitate a training, know that the phrase “I read a book …” is stated often. Well, it’s true, and here is one of my new found favorites. I read a book called
The Trek to Mississippi’s Grand Canyon
The Elders at Wesley Manor, located in Hattiesburg, MS, recently made a road trip to Red Bluff, nicknamed “Mississippi’s Grand Canyon.” A couple living at Wesley Manor came back from a trip to Red Bluff with pictures and stories that
Need Inspiration? A 2016 Conference Throwback…
A mere month stands between your great presentation idea for the 2018 Eden Alternative International Conference and the proposal submission deadline of July 8. What to do? What to write? Never fear… inspiration is here! What better way to get
Is Your Cup Too Full?
Our minister began a sermon recently telling the story of the Zen master. The story goes that a university professor traveled to visit a famous Zen master to learn from him. They sat down and the Zen master served the
Mission at Community Rehab and Assisted Living Joins the Eden Registry
Mission at Community Rehab and Assisted Living in Centerfield, Utah joined the Eden Registry on February 20, 2017. This home is located in the quaint little country town of Centerfiled, Utah, a town that is rich in history and community.
McKnights Features Bill Thomas and the Impact of Loneliness
As change agents, remember when we had to fight to be heard about the impact of loneliness on the human spirit? In the nearly 14 years I’ve been doing this work, I recall a lot of strained conversations about well-being
Do You Have GRIT?
Leading Age Keynote Speaker Angela Duckworth Has the Answer… Grit. What is it? According to psychologist Angela Duckworth, there are very specific markers that define grit. The cliff notes are essentially this: perseverance and passion over the long-term. Sound familiar?
The Hidden Restraint – Part 4
This post by Dr. Al Power was published on ChangingAging.org. All-or-none thinking” and “surplus safety” make it difficult for organizations to visualize a pathway to unlocking doors. At last, here is the final installment of this marathon blog post. First,
An Excerpt from “Relentlessly Pursuing Wonder: 9th Gathering of the Annual CUSP Conference”
Here’s a thoughtful reflection on the work of Bill Thomas by Nate Burgos of Design Feaster. This is just an excerpt from the whole piece, which explores wonder from a variety of perspectives. I’m struck by the phrase “Start living your damn
End of Life Lessons from Dad: Lesson #5
Dad’s lesson #5 is that specialists aren’t always special. Nancy Fox would tell you that as human beings, we are all about creating constituencies. It is amazing how fast a group of complete strangers can bond and begin to demonstrate
Signature HealthCARE Rocks Elder Vacations… Again
I am always so inspired by this organization’s commitment to living the ten principles of The Eden Alternative in big ways. Undaunted, they have changed lives by arranging multiple Elder vacations for the people who live in their communities. There was
The Hidden Restraint, Part 1
This post by Dr. Al Power was published on ChangingAging.org on July 30, 2016. Imagine if we considered locked doors in memory care wards as restraints. Having given many seminars on restraint reduction 15-20 years ago, I am very familiar
The Kitchen Table
I recently watched a video about finance. The speaker began by explaining why he had an old beat-up kitchen table on stage. He talked about the history of that kitchen table, which came from his home. Although he discussed it
Pete’s Greatest Hit
Pete Rose is the all-time Major League leader in hits, games played, and at-bats. He won three World Series rings, three batting titles, one Most Valuable Player Award, two Gold Gloves, the Rookie of the Year Award, and also made
Eden Educators are Blooming!
Dr. Bill Thomas is always reminding us that education is the antidote to fear and resistance. Education is very important on the journey to person-directed care. Education needs to be provided, reinforced daily and refreshed periodically. With budget cutbacks a
International Eden Elder Award Winner Honored in Local News
Alice Lute stole the show at the 2016 Eden Alternative International Conference… in more ways than one. Not only was she an honored recipient of the 2016 International Eden Elder Award alongside Lucy Kennedy, but she took away the top
Inspired Words Make Worlds
In honor of National Nursing Home Week, we have a treat for you. We, at The Eden Alternative, recently had the distinct honor of receiving three different poems from 3 inspired change agents. Not only do they touch the heart
2016 Conference… Hit Rewind, View Highlights
Something happens for me at the end of every Eden Alternative International Conference. Within moments of the conference closing, I feel it… a sense of let-down or perhaps it’s “good vibes” grief. After two years of planning and nearly a
Got Talent? Bring It, Baby…
It’s the same story for every Eden Alternative International Conference. We are days away, and there are just a few submissions for the notorious Eden’s Got Talent event. Yet, every year the show ends up being a total delight, complete
Making Peace with the Past
“How has Mrs. Smith handled change in the past?” This was how we predicted how well a new nursing home resident would cope with adjusting to placement in 1983. For the most part, this simplistic rule of thumb seemed to
The Eden Alternative Registry Welcomes its Newest Member – Riverside Care and Rehabilitation Center
Riverside Care and Rehabilitation in Calhoun, KY, joined the Eden Alternative Registry on 1/25/2016. Located in McClean County, they are home to 73 Elders that are enjoying their recently remodeled home. They have new hardwood floors, gorgeous paint colors and
Welcome to the Registry Points West Living – Wainwright!
Points West Living Wainwright in Alberta, Canada joined the Eden Alternative Registry on January 21, 2016. This home is nestled in the small town of Wainwright, a unique town in Alberta that has a strong, vibrant & friendly community spirit.
Welcome Danville Centre for Health and Rehabilitation to the Tribe!
Danville Centre for Health and Rehabilitation joined the Eden Alternative Registry on January 13, 2016. This home is located in historical Danville, Kentucky, a small town that is rich in relationships and traditions. The 106 Elders that call Danville Centre
Signature Healthcare of Putnam County: Off to a Great Start!
Signature Healthcare of Putnam County joined the Eden Alternative Registry on January 12, 2016. Tucked away in the little town of Algood, TN, they are home to 150 empowered Elders. The folks who live and work here have gone to
A New Year, A New Addition – Parkside Community
Parkside Community in Chase, British Columbia, Canada, joined the Eden Alternative Registry on January 7, 2016, as our first new Registry Member of 2016. This is truly a living center with empowered Elders and employee care partners driving the rhythm
No Time Like Now – Ask the Elders Why
Every two years The Eden Alternative puts on an event. This is not just any event. It is an EVENT! We call it our international conference, but it is an EVENT. Note the capitalization for emphasis. For me, my very
Building Bridges in a Virtual World
It’s 8:00 a.m. I pop open my laptop and begin my morning ritual of checking my email inbox. Here I am again, communing with the virtual world, instead of the real world. As I’m thinking that there’s just no heart in all of this technology, something, well, cracks open my heart. Buried amidst thirty unopened messages is a little gem, something “sweet” that the sender thinks I “will enjoy.”