By Emily Connors
Eden Community Builder
The Eden Alternative
Topic: Dementia/Education
Dementia care has often been approached from a clinical, task-oriented perspective, but there is a growing recognition that truly compassionate care requires something deeper: a focus on the person, their experiences, and their inherent potential for connection and meaning.
If you’re ready to move beyond traditional models and explore a radically different way to support people living with dementia, then this is a must-attend event.
Co-developed with Dr. G. Allen Power, an internationally renowned dementia thought leader and award-winning author, this 2-day in-person workshop offers a transformative, hands-on approach to dementia care that centers on person-directed practices—empowering people with dementia to live with dignity, joy, and connection. Learn more.
Why Traditional Dementia Care Needs a New Approach
For too long, people living with dementia have been seen primarily through the lens of their diagnosis: a series of symptoms to be managed rather than individuals to be understood and engaged with. This clinical mindset often leaves residents feeling isolated, disempowered, and disconnected from their surroundings, caregivers, and loved ones.
Dr. G. Allen Power’s approach, embodied in the Eden Alternative® philosophy, offers a groundbreaking shift. It reimagines dementia care by focusing on well-being, meaningful engagement, and empowered relationships.
The Eden Alternative® recognizes that every person living with dementia has a unique life story, set of experiences, and personal values that deserve to be respected, nurtured, and celebrated.
What You’ll Learn in This Workshop
This experiential workshop, offered 2-days in-person, is designed to deepen your understanding of dementia care through direct, interactive experiences. Here’s a closer look at what you can expect:
- A Deep Dive Into Person-Directed Practices
You’ll explore how to implement person-directed care strategies that prioritize the individual’s autonomy, preferences, and personal history. By shifting away from task-driven routines, you’ll learn to create environments that promote dignity, engagement, and choice for those living with dementia. - Experiential Learning Model
This workshop emphasizes hands-on, real-world applications of the Eden Alternative® principles. Through activities, case studies, and group discussions, you’ll gain practical skills to foster empowered interactions, improving communication and creating stronger connections with individuals living with dementia. - Meaningful Engagement Techniques
You’ll learn how to facilitate activities and interactions that bring joy, purpose, and fulfillment to residents’ lives. The goal is not just to meet basic care needs but to ensure that every interaction adds value to the person’s day, whether through creative activities, shared moments of reflection, or simple acts of kindness. - Improving Well-Being Through Holistic Care
True well-being in dementia care is about more than just physical health. You’ll learn to integrate emotional, social, and spiritual well-being into your care practices, fostering an environment where people feel emotionally supported, valued, and connected to others. - Reframing The Role Of Caregivers
This workshop will empower you as a care partner—whether you’re a professional, volunteer, or family member—by providing new tools and insights to engage more meaningfully with individuals living with dementia. It’s about reshaping your mindset from that of a “caregiver” to a partner in well-being.
Who Should Attend?
Whether you’re a healthcare professional, family caregiver, volunteer, or anyone involved in the life of a person living with dementia, this workshop is for you. Dr. Power’s person-directed care approach is ideal for anyone seeking to improve the quality of life for those with dementia and promote a more compassionate, connected approach to caregiving.
- Professional caregivers (nurses, aides, social workers, etc.) can apply these strategies in their daily work to create more meaningful interactions with residents.
- Family members of those living with dementia will gain a better understanding of how to communicate and connect with their loved ones in a way that truly honors their individuality.
- Volunteers and community advocates will learn to facilitate activities and foster relationships that make a real difference in the lives of those living with dementia.
Why You Should Join the Eden Alternative® Workshop
This workshop offers much more than just theory. It’s an opportunity for personal transformation, providing tools and insights that you can apply immediately to create environments where people with dementia experience improved well-being, dignity, and connection.
You’ll walk away with:
- New insights into dementia care that go beyond traditional models, focusing on the lived experiences of individuals rather than just the disease.
- Practical tools and strategies that you can implement immediately to improve the care environment and make everyday interactions more meaningful.
- Inspiration to shift the way you think about dementia and caregiving, fostering a sense of empowerment for both those living with dementia and those who care for them.
A Transformative Experience for Everyone Involved
The Dementia Beyond Drugs workshop will offer a supportive, enriching environment to learn, connect, and grow. Together, you’ll learn to move beyond clinical tasks and embrace a model of dementia care that prioritizes meaningful relationships, individual dignity, and joyful living for all involved.
Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from one of the leading voices in dementia care, Dr. G. Allen Power, and experience the powerful difference that person-directed care can make in the lives of those living with dementia. Register today.
Register Now and Start Making a Difference!
Spaces are limited, so secure your spot today for this life-changing workshop. Whether you’re an experienced professional or new to dementia care, this training will provide you with the knowledge, tools, and inspiration to create a more compassionate, connected world for people living with dementia.
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!
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 wherever they may live and work.
