The conversation around dementia is continuing to shift, moving from a focus on deficits and challenges to a person-directed, well-being approach.
Dr. Al Power, MD, a leading advocate in this movement, emphasizes using The Eden Alternative Domains of Well-Being® in his online course: The Well-Being Approach.
Through the seven different aspects of well-being, Dr. Power reframes how we can partner in care with each other and provides some practical ways to apply this framework in daily support wherever a person may live.
To learn more about The Well-Being Approach, register & join the November 14 coaching call.
Understanding the Well-Being Approach
At the heart of Dr. Power’s approach is the recognition that a diagnosis of dementia does not eliminate a person’s humanity, their right to have influence over their own life, or their need for well-being.
This perspective prioritizes the well-being of individuals by focusing on their strengths, preferences, and the environments in which they thrive. By leaning into learning how a person’s need for identity, connectedness, security, autonomy, meaning, growth, and joy are met, a care partner can empower a person living with dementia to live a life worth living.
Dr. Power shares personal stories of using the domains of well-being to build relationships, connect with others, recognize opportunities for growth, and find meaning and purpose.
A Self-Study Course to Deepen Your Understanding
To support this transformative approach, The Eden Alternative offers a self-study course by Dr. Power designed for care partners and family members of individuals living with dementia. This course serves as an invaluable resource, providing insights and practical strategies to enhance well-being.
Participants will explore key concepts such as:
- How to determine and honor personal rhythms of daily life
- Practical tips for negotiating risk and supporting autonomy
- Auditing the physical environment
- The importance of spontaneity and variety
- Opportunities to engage in a purposeful and meaningful life
The course is structured for ease of use, allowing participants to learn at their own pace. Each domain of well-being is explored through the lens of what you need to know, what you need to notice, and what you need to do. Dr. Power provides real life examples and tips for what you can do in your own life to shift your practices.
Coaching Calls for Personal Guidance
In addition to the self-study course, participants can benefit from two coaching calls that delve deeper into the material. These interactive sessions provide an opportunity to discuss real-life scenarios, share experiences, and gain personalized insights with peers and Community Builders with The Eden Alternative.
These coaching calls are designed to enhance the learning experience, offering a platform for participants to ask questions, receive feedback, and explore how to apply this approach in their setting.
Downloadable Workbook for Practical Application
Accompanying the course and coaching calls is a downloadable workbook that acts as a practical guide. This workbook includes exercises, reflection prompts, and actionable strategies tailored to reinforce the concepts learned in the course.
The workbook serves as a valuable resource for ongoing reflection and growth, making it easier to implement the well-being approach in everyday situations.
Conclusion
A life worth living is achievable when we embrace a well-being approach that values the individual and their unique life experiences. Dr. Al Power’s course and accompanying resources offer powerful tools to help care partners shift their perspectives and enhance the quality of life for those they support.
If you’re interested in exploring this approach further, consider enrolling in Dr. Power’s self-study course today. Our first coaching call is on November 14.
Together, we can transform how we partner in care with and support people living with dementia, ensuring they experience a life rich in dignity, purpose, and joy.
Kristi Doan
Eden Educator; Community Builder
The Eden Alternative
About Kristi Doan:
Kristi joined the Eden Alternative Home Office Team in January 2022 as a Community Builder and has been involved with The Eden Alternative since 2018. In her role, she consults with and supports organizations with implementation, creates resources, develops educational tools and materials, and supports networking opportunities between individuals and organizations. As an Eden Educator, she enjoys facilitating change in communities across the country. Kristi loves spending time exploring the outdoors and has a goal to visit every national park. She lives in Denver with her husband, James, and their four-legged family of multiple cats.
About The Eden Alternative:
The Eden Alternative is a non-profit organization that improves the quality of life for Elders and their care partners through an approach that focuses on the whole person. The Eden Approach® creates a person-directed care environment that eliminates loneliness, boredom, and helplessness by providing opportunities for meaningful engagement and spontaneity.
The Eden Approach® includes:
Person-directed care: Upholding one’s right to choose for themselves
Strength-based solutions: Focusing on what can be done, rather than what can’t
Empowered cultures: Engaging and building on the voice of each person
The Eden Alternative:
- Deconstructs negative attitudes about aging and changing abilities.
- Produces creative, attuned, and highly responsive teams.
- Fosters deeper confidence, satisfaction, and a strong sense of ownership.
- Builds consistent caring relationships by reducing employee turnover.
- Results in happier families, happier employees, and happier Elders.
