Potted Plants
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Let’s Get Our Hands Dirty! – Bringing Gardening to Everyone

The beauty and renewal of spring is upon us! And despite not having been in a garden or getting their hands dirty in the soil of flower beds, our elders living with dementia may have had a love of Mother Earth and we don’t even know it!

It is important that EVERY person have the ability enjoy activities they’ve loved throughout their lives.

Spring into Action – Declutter!
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Spring into Action – Declutter!

The snow is melting, the sun is shining more, and it’s time to open the windows and let the spring breeze blow through the house. Getting rid of all the staleness of winter. Along with that you begin to feel the need to go through your closets, cabinets, and other areas you store items.
 
Great idea! But where to start?
We break it down into 4 simple steps.

Fred Ellman
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Practitioner Symposium Spotlight: Fred Ellman

This month’s Spotlight is on Fred Ellman, a man with a mission to deliver joy to the lives of Elders with dementia. He presented “Growing Mindfulness,” which showcased his Flying Compassion Garden. With Fred’s background as a toy maker, he brings imagination, connection and mindfulness together in a physical form. He shared his interactive horticulture…

Carolyn Magnusson and Elisabeth Rydland

Practitioner Symposium Spotlight: Presenters – Carolyn Magnusson and Elisabeth Rydland

Amazing ideas abound when Carolyn and Elisabeth share their thoughts and inspirations. During the Practitioner Symposium held in September, 2022, we had the pleasure of Carolyn and Elisabeth discussing what they have been doing to celebrate Montessori for use with elders. Carolyn and Elisabeth are both Montessori trained educators, who, together, founded Montessori Eldre Ressurs…

Henna Jalovaara
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Practitioner Symposium Spotlight: Henna Jalovaara

We had the privilege of having Henna Jalovaara, the founding member of Muisti Montessori, the Finnish Montessori for Dementia Association, speak at our symposium. Henna is an OT in a non-profit care home in Helsinki, Finland. This care home piloted Montessori in two of its eight households. During her presentation, Henna shared both the challenges and wins of initiating a Montessori program in her care community.

Elderly Man Watching TV

“But All He Does Is Watch TV” – Activities to Fit Everyone’s Abilities

Whether you are in a care community or have your loved one at home, these words are uttered more often than we’d like. As much as we dislike the fact that we see it, it’s often difficult to figure out how to get your loved one or one of the elders in your community to do something different. “S/He doesn’t really like anything but watching TV.”
But is that the truth?

To Thrive or Not to Thrive… That is the Question
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To Thrive or Not to Thrive… That is the Question

It might be weighing heavily on your mind or just a passing thought… What kind of care community do you envision your loved one living in? Every person deserves to spend their lives engaging and thriving! Take a moment to relax and imagine a place like this… The day is bright and sunny and the…