The E.D.E. considers it one of its main tasks to supply its members and interested care service providers with extensive information on developments and trends in the care sector. An important forum in this respect is provided by the E.D.E. Congresses, which take place every two years in various European cities. During each event presentations and workshops deal with the idea in focus, whose relevance is underlined with reference to current topics, problems and questions. Here is a short summary of the E.D.E. Congresses since 2007:

The 14th E.D.E. Congress, “From Managing to Networking. Building Partner Networks in Long-Term Care”, took place from 24 to 26 September 2015 in Montreux (Switzerland) and highlighted the importance of networking within the long-term care services for strengthening organizations’ position in future years, sustainable development and creating new opportunities and benefits from synergic effects arising from networking activities.
Programme and presentations

“LET'S NETWORK OUR CARE! TECHNOLOGY IN CARE – OPPORTUNITIES AND LIMITS” was the title of the 13th Congress of the E.D.E. in Tallinn (26 – 28 September 2013). Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and different assistive technologies play a key role in optimizing the quality of services provided. The congress focused on how to use them to provide more efficient services to customers and to raise the effectiveness of health and care service providers. It raised also a very important question of the 'personal touch'. Then, technological solutions in healthcare and long-term care cannot replace caregivers or human relations, but they can make care management more effective.

The 12th European E.D.E. Congress in Prague (29 September – 1 October, 2011) focused on "The big taboos in long-term care". Experts from the areas of elderly care, ethics, psychology, philosophy and management presented their findings on dignity in elderly care, ways of dealing with death and dying, violence and sexuality in care homes as well as the thorny issue of long-term care financing, and created the framework for stimulating discussions.
Detailed information

"TIME OUT!" was the motto of the 11th European E.D.E. Congress that took place in Luxembourg from September 24 to 26, 2009. Economic crisis, demographic changes, social cuts – pressured by growing structural problems and the daily search for short-term solutions, care home directors hardly have the time or energy so essential for finding new solutions. Speeches and presentations on working conditions, decision-making autonomy, effective organisation and quality improvement identified the problems and pinpointed solutions.
Detailed information

The 10th European and 1st World Congress of the E.D.E. took place in Berlin from November 14 – 17, 2007. The event focused on "Overcoming Borders, Shaping the future". Experts from Japan, Canada, the US, Cameroon, South Africa, Australia and nine European countries addressed issues like future perspectives for elderly care, living environments for people with Alzheimer's, international quality management systems, financing strategies, innovative technologies and alternative forms of living for those in need of care, with workshops providing a lively forum for exchange of ideas and experience.
Detailed information