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. …
Cognitive mapping is our ability to visualize where we are in a certain space. It allows us to park, go into a store and find our car again, or find the bathroom at night without turning on the lights. People living with dementia have impaired cognitive mapping skills, so they look for cues in the…
Many individuals living with dementia forget to eat or become overwhelmed at the thought of preparing meals or making choices about what to eat. Rather than care partners taking over every related to meal time, we can often modify the home environment to provide structure, but also gives the person independence, self-esteem and the knowledge that…
I am very excited to announce a new collaboration between The National Certification Council for Activity Professionals (NCCAP) and Brush Development Company. We have have partnered to offer health care professionals a Montessori for Dementia Engagement Certification. The Montessori for Dementia Engagement Certification curriculum provides a thorough introduction to using Montessori with elders and people…
Roles Help to Give our Lives Meaning A role is the purpose that someone has in a situation, organization, society, or relationship. Every day in our lives we play a variety of roles. We may be a mother, father, spouse, teacher, manager, child, neighbor, care partner, volunteer, etc. Each of the roles we play have…
To have the most success during activities and conversations with people with dementia, care partners will need to adjust their style of communication so it is easier for the person with dementia to understand and follow the conversation. Here are some tips that will ensure success. Consider this Sometimes it is hard to remember that…
This year I collaborated on a wonderful story written and illustrated especially for elders with dementia called A Day on the Wind Seeker. People living with dementia are able to and enjoy reading a loud, but many of the books available in large print with high contrast graphics are childish and not designed for adults. …
