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Dementia Nursing

Eden Alternative, The

Type: eChapter
Book Title:	Dementia Nursing
Chapter:	23
This education is:	eligible for CPD

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Chapter 23: The Eden Alternative

Overview:

The Eden Alternative is a method of aged care organization that focuses on a different philosophy than the ‘traditional’, medical philosophy adopted by most Aged Care facilities and institutions. This chapter focuses on the key issues surrounding the necessity for the Eden Alternative, as well as the solution to these issues through the implementation of the Eden Alternative. Dawn MacKenzie presents practical methods of implementing the Eden Alternative, such as the introduction of plants, animals and children.

Description:

The Eden Alternative is a method of aged care organization that focuses on a different philosophy than the ‘traditional’, medical philosophy adopted by most Aged Care facilities and institutions. The Eden Alternative acknowledges the loneliness, helplessness and boredom many aged care residents experience and seeks to rectify these through changing the residents’ social environment. By following the principles of the Eden Alternative, introducing plants, animals and children, and implementing ‘Culture Change’ where possible, the Aged Care facility is adopting the Eden Alternative and a less medical model of caring for our aged population.

This chapter focuses on the key issues surrounding the necessity for the Eden Alternative, as well as the solution to these issues through the implementation of the Eden Alternative.

Topics:

‘Eden Alternative’
Loneliness
Helplessness
Boredom
Culture change
Routines
Staff
Residents
Families
Alternative aged care model

Speakers / Authors:

Dawn MacKenzie
Dawn MacKenzie is a registered nurse and midwife with qualifications on occupational health and safety and dementia care and services. Dawn is a company director of Aged Care Service Group Pty Ltd, a private organization which she started 15 years ago with her husband, Peter. The organization now has responsibility for the care of more than 350 aged-care residents. Dawn has served as a consultant to Box Hill Institute of TAFE (Victoria, Australia) in curriculum development of personal-care courses, and has a long involvement with government and non-government bodies responsible for standards of care in nursing homes and private hospitals. Dawn is an Eden Alternative associate and is enthusiastic about the Eden Alternative in this chapter.

Professional Reviews:

diana cirona (Saturday, 18 September 2010)

You really have to have a passion for dementia  nursing as well as alot of patience.They do feel lonely,helpless bored and at times they will go through depression.As far as they are conce ed theres nothing wrong with them and they shouldnt be there.Unfortuanately this is all part and parcel of the disease and we as nurses have to have the patience tolerence understanding and caring for these clients so we can deal with all types of situations as they arise.