The Eden Alternative model was founded in 1996 by Dr. Bill Thomas and his wife, Jude Meyers Thomas, to teach and empower whole person care. Whole person care expresses an individual’s right to a life full of purpose, connection, empowerment, and possibility regardless of age or changing abilities. The Eden Alternative model focuses on eliminating loneliness, helplessness, and boredom for residents of nursing homes and other senior care communities. The model emphasizes inclusion for people of all abilities and addresses seven fundamental aspects of personhood.
The seven fundamental aspects are:
Identity – being well-known; having personhood; individuality; having a history
Connectedness – belonging; engaged; involved; connected to time, place, and nature
Security – freedom from doubt, anxiety, or fear; safety, privacy; dignity; respect
Autonomy – liberty; self-determination; choice; freedom
Meaning – significance; heart; hope; value; purpose; sacredness
Growth – development; enrichment; expanding; evolving
Joy – happiness; pleasure; delight; contentment; enjoyment
The Eden Alternative model offers a more constructive approach to elderly care. The model is implemented through educational workshops, online learning, and consulting provided by the Eden Alternative team. Within The Eden Alternative model, ten principles strive to be addressed for optimal success.
The ten principles include:
Principle 1 – Loneliness, helplessness, and boredom are painful and destructive to an individual’s health and well-being.
Principle 2 – A caring, inclusive, and vibrant community enables all people, regardless of age or ability, to experience well-being.
Principle 3 – Individuals thrive with easy access to the companionship they desire. This is the antidote to loneliness.
Principle 4 – Individuals thrive when they have purpose and the opportunity to give and receive. This is the antidote to helplessness.
Principle 5 – People thrive when they have variety, spontaneity, and unexpected happenings in their lives. This is the antidote to boredom.
Principle 6 – Meaningless activity corrodes the human spirit. Meaning is unique to each person and is essential to health and well-being.
Principle 7 – Individuals are more than their medical diagnoses. Medical treatment should support and empower them to experience a life worth living.
Principle 8 – Decision-making must involve those most impacted by the decision. Empowerment activates choice, autonomy, and influence.
Principle 9 – Building a collaborative and resilient culture is a never-ending process. People need to keep learning, developing, and adapting.
Principle 10 – Wise leadership is the key to meaningful and lasting change. For it, there can be no substitute.
The Eden Alternative’s mission is to improve the well-being of older adults and their care partners by transforming the communities they live and work in. Allowing everyone to feel included, empowered, and fulfilled regardless of age or abilities. The model cultivates change, resulting in happier families, employees, and older adults. More information can be found on the Eden Alternative website.
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By: Ashley Augsburger
Senior Care Advising Intern at WellPath Partners
Health Science Student, California State University, Long Beach
