The Eden Alternative philosophy emphasizes removing loneliness, helplessness, and boredom, which account for the main causes of suffering among our senior citizens/be they at home or in aged care communities. This can be done by giving elders autonomy over their lives rather than that dictated by aged care centres. The Eden Alternative can then focus on the care of the spiritual and physical needs of elders.
I never knew I would experience the above until I lost my husband over a year ago. I experienced a terrible time of grieving, loneliness, and depression. I was supported through these times by understanding friends, especially those who had been through these difficult times.
Ageing in place is now the consensus among gerontologists and geriatricians. However, when the time comes for me to move into aged care, these are the things I hoped for, as summarized from an unaddressed brochure, The Ten principles of the Eden Alternative, I collected in Perth, Australia :
- Loneliness, helplessness, and boredom are the leading causes of elder suffering.
- Loving companionship is the solution to loneliness. Elders deserve easy access to human and animal companionship.
- An elder-centred community:
- It is a human habitat with close, continuous contact with plants, animals, and children.
- A place to give and receive care to overcome helplessness
- Offers a life with variety and spontaneity to avoid boredom
- A place to do meaningful things
- Provides medical treatment only when necessary
- It is non-bureaucratic by placing decision-making on elders and their closest ones.
- Always strive to improve in elder care.
- Wise leadership is the key against loneliness, helplessness, and boredom.
Here is a video I find interesting – Living with Alzheimer’s and Dementia
In this video produced in Tennessee, USA, there is sharing on Virtual Dementia Training for carers to improve the care of dementia patients. Abe’s Garden provides exceptional care using neuroscience. There is continuous scientific research to improve. There is teamwork with doctors, and social workers, with ongoing standardized reevaluation to find the best way in elder care. Anything that does not work is not recommended.
The emphasis is on the environment where the patient cannot get lost. There is an open floor plan and furniture with a fireplace. The client is close to nature to be aware of the time of the day and the seasons.
Abe’s Garden believes that the reason for agitation, anxiety, aggression, and apathy is because of unmet needs. Therefore, we should meet them where there is mutual understanding, as in music, art, and dance. Besides nurses, all staff, from the plumber to the lift attendant, are trained to understand, empathize, and care for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. There is a coordinator for continuous quality improvement.
Let us continue learning about elder care because we will need it one day. Let us make this final chapter of our life a happy one!
Loh Yunn Hua
Yunn Hua is still practising in Primary Care and Occupational Health and Safety in Miri, Sarawak, when not travelling. Her interests are exploring, reading, writing, and music. Her favourite quotation is, ‘Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."
