By Emily Connors
Community Builder
The Eden Alternative
Topic: Dementia/Education
The Eden Alternative is facilitating a training, Dementia Beyond Drugs Online, beginning May 5, 2025.
To join the training: register here.
Are you looking to provide better, more compassionate care for individuals living with dementia?
Look no further! The content, tools and resources you gain in Dementia Beyond Drugs are game changers. This class offers a chance to learn new strategies, rethink traditional approaches, and improve the lives of both care partners and those living with dementia.
7 Ways To Refresh Your Approach to Dementia Support
1. Reframe “Problem Behaviors” as Unmet Well-Being Needs
In the world of dementia care, it’s easy to label behaviors as “problems” that need fixing. But what if those behaviors are signs of unmet needs?
With The Eden Alternative, learn to reframe behaviors and understand them as signals that a person needs something more. This shift in perspective can be incredibly empowering, not just for persons living with dementia but for care partners, too.
2. Reduce Reliance on Medications
We all know that medications like antipsychotics and psychotropics are often prescribed to people with dementia, but they can come with side effects sometimes doing more harm than good.
Join in exploring ways to reduce the reliance on medications by addressing the well-being needs of the individual.
3. Recognize the Limits of Traditional Care Models
When it comes to dementia support: the focus is often more about routines and institutional systems, versus meeting the unique needs of each person. Dementia Beyond Drugs shares flexible, personalized approaches to care that respect the individuality of each person and treat individuals as more than just a diagnosis.
4. Improve Communication and Build Positive Relationships
Communication is key in any care partner situation, but especially so when supporting someone with dementia. This online class provides practical tools for improving communication and promoting positive, affirming interactions to build trust and connection. With better communication, you’ll be able to reduce confusion and stress.
5. Handle Interactions Creatively
With The Eden Alternative, learn to take the friction out of interactions by using creative solutions and focusing on empowering the person you’re supporting. Rather than trying to control or “fix” a behavior, learn ways to engage, redirect, and connect. This will reduce difficult interactions and open space for more positive experiences.
6. Apply the “Experiential Model” to Everyday Care
One of the most exciting things The Eden Alternative offers is the “Experiential Model”. It’s all about creating enriching experiences for people living with dementia to enhance well-being in everyday situations.
Instead of focusing solely on medical needs or behavior, this model helps you see the person as a whole—someone with dreams, desires, and the potential for a rich, meaningful life. You’ll be able to apply this model to your daily routine, making a real difference in the lives of people you support.
7. Promote Well-Being for Everyone
At its core, The Eden Alternative is about creating an environment that promotes well-being for everyone involved—both the person living with dementia and the care partner. Through positive relationships, respect, and a focus on individual strengths, you’ll learn how to create an atmosphere where everyone can thrive.
Final Thoughts
In general, the Dementia Beyond Drugs online class isn’t just about learning new strategies; it’s about completely rethinking the way we approach dementia care.
The course offers a fresh, person-directed perspective that focuses on the individual—not their diagnosis—allowing them to live a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
By participating, you’ll gain new tools, strategies, and insights that will help transform your care partnering approach and create a positive, enriching experience for everyone involved.
Found these tips useful?
Register for Dementia Beyond Drugs Online today.
About The Eden Alternative
Our Mission: To improve the well-being of Elders and their care partners by transforming the communities in which they live and work.
The Eden Alternative offers educational opportunities, consultation and a proven approach to honoring Elderhood – with resources for Elders and care partners to elevate well-being.
About Emily Connors
Emily has her Bachelor’s Degree in Therapeutic Recreation from York College of PA and her Master’s Degree in Long Term Care Administration from the University of Massachusetts in Boston. She is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and Certified Dementia Practitioner with 25 years of long-term care experience. Emily has been an adjunct faculty member at York College of PA since 2006.
She has been committed to culture change since her first exposure to the Eden Alternative philosophy in 1999. Emily lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two children. Her simple pleasures are coffee, Def Leppard, and anything outdoors!
