Many of you have written to share your challenges and successes over the past few weeks and to ask for simple activity ideas that can be done easily in one’s bedroom on a tray table. Here is an idea for a simple activity that can help an individual to maintain fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination while feeling a sense of purpose by caring for his or her belongings.
Amaran Assisted Living and Memory Care Community in Albuquerque, New Mexico, will provide Albuquerque with an innovative approach to senior care. The community, currently under construction, is scheduled to open November 2020. The vision for Amaran is a holistic care center that will weave together the concepts of Montessori learning and respectful care for the aging.
Nonna’s Intergenerational Christian Montessori is located in Wayzata, Minnesota and is the first of its kind, implementing the philosophy of Maria Montessori for both children and elders. Opening their doors in February 2019, Nonna’s has just celebrated their first year of business.
It’s easy to get stuck in a rut when it comes to the materials we use for engaging elders. Most of us eagerly welcome new ideas for roles and activities. I’ve been known to come up with some pretty elaborate concepts to try and shake things up, but I have learned that keeping it simple usually works best.
One of my favorite materials are Three-Part Cards (also known as Nomenclature Cards). These cards can be used to help elders maintain and improve language skills such as reading and naming. In addition, the materials can address sequencing, attention to task, fine and gross motor skills, turn taking, conversation and reminiscence.
Culture change takes dedication, leadership, and a willingness to look at life differently. It means we have to try new things and be willing to be uncomfortable in order to grow. I love when I have the opportunity to show off a person-centered community that is putting the Montessori philosophy into action. Lutheran Senior Life, Passavant Community, has worked with me for the past year with one goal in mind: Use the Montessori philosophy to help their residents to live an abundant life.
More than any other question, I am asked how to make low-cost, simple changes to the environment. The truth is, you don’t have a to have a huge remodeling budget to make changes to the care community that will help elders thrive. We are thrilled to bring you this new FREE webinar sponsored by Linked…
Everyone knows someone who is living with dementia. Who do you know? Would you like to know how you can better support your friend, neighbor, loved one, or co-worker? Would you like to join a global effort in reducing the stigma of dementia? Are you, your organization, group or business interested in making a real difference in your…
You may not realize it, but many of your employees are in the Sandwich Generation. The term Sandwich Generation is often used to describe individuals who are raising children and caring for their parents at the same time. Most are also managing a career and juggling a variety of other commitments. Sound familiar? You might…
For people living with dementia, reading is a preserved skill. Therefore visual aids that include written information can be used as memory supports. Memory books can improve quality of life by: Helping people remember important information Making conversation easier Reducing responsive (challenging) behaviors, such as exit seeking and repetitive questioning Providing reassurance and comfort A…
The “prepared environment” is designed to facilitate independence and exploration. When designing a Montessori environment for older adults, it can be hard to know where to start. Keep these simple tips in mind: The prepared environment for older adults is beautiful and inviting. Those living in the care community can help choose or donate beautiful…
Every morning, the first thing I do is pour myself a big mug of coffee. The second thing I do is take my standard poodle, Lucy for a walk. Today, as I watched the sun rise over the maple trees I was in awe of the shades of red, orange and yellow I observed-the leaves…
Congratulations to Julia Ballesteros Senties, the first person in Mexico to earn an AMI Practitioner Certification in Montessori for Dementia and Aging. Julia took the workshop with Jennifer Brush in Minneapolis and then studied with Jennifer for 6 months in the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Certificate Program. Julia is a speech and language therapist who…
Recently one of my clients called me. I could tell by his voice that he was panicked and scared. He was in the kitchen making dinner while his wife who is living with dementia, napped on the couch. Or so he thought. When he called her for dinner she was no where to be found. …
