Eden Alternative™ Associates are people who have completed a three day residential training program in the principles and practices of the Eden Alternative™. When he first started out, Dr Thomas thought he could teach people to teach others about Eden in just a couple of hours. It turns out that he can’t. As a result, he has developed the Associate Training.

The Associate Training teaches the Ten Principles of the Eden Alternative™ and gives specific suggestions and guidelines for putting them into practice. Also, it helps us learn about each other and create communities of support after we leave the training, roll up our sleeves and go to work teaching, preparing for and implementing the Eden Alternative™ philosophy.

The Eden Alternative™, is a principle-driven system designed to honour and celebrate those who give great care.

We recommend that CEOs, senior managers, DONs and Unit Mangers be the first in your organisation to attend Associate Training as the Eden "golden rule" is what managers do to the staff so the staff do to the elders. Eden requires a shift in the way we think and do. It requires leadership and commitment from senior people in the organsiation and facility.

Once you have completed the training your eyes will be opened to the fact that Aged Care can be different and your life will never be the same.