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Eden Conference Highlights
Posted June 04, 2014
From April 30th to May 2nd care partners Deborah Foster, Care Homes Head of Household, and Jordan Kahiamoe, Laundry Worker, participated in 7th Eden Alternative International Conference in Nashville. The conference theme, Strike a Chord, Resonate Well-Being, highlighted the power of the Eden Alternative Domains of Well-Being™ and how they help us create a life worth living for all members of the care partner team.
The event brought together thought leaders and hands-on care partners from across the entire Eldercare continuum for three days of knowledge-sharing, storytelling, and building new relationships. Deborah and Jordan even had the opportunity to meet Eden Alternative Co-founders Dr. Bill and Jude Thomas (pictured below). Deborah paraphrased a comment by Dr. Thomas to Jordan after his performance in the talent contest, saying “you have a dynamic personality and you’re going to go far.”
Two of the most compelling stories shared at the conference illustrated the fulfilling lives of Elders. One story shared was about a senior healthcare class that decided for their class project each student would pick an Elder at a nursing home to mentor them. While they caught flack from many of their peers, the healthcare students and Elders learned from each other, and formed strong bonds that they said would last beyond that semester’s class.
Another story spoke of Elders from a nursing home in the United States who made crafts and sold them to raise money for a nursing home in Africa. They raised $3,000. The donation was accepted amidst teary eyes and a comment about how far $3,000 will go in Africa.
Attending the Eden Alternative International Conference is an example of Principle 10: Wise leadership is the lifeblood of any struggle against the three plagues. For it, there can be no substitute.