Helping People Find Their Way Through Your Community
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Helping People Find Their Way Through Your Community

Individuals living in senior living residences often face challenges in wayfinding for a variety of reasons that include reduced short-term memory, difficulty with visual acuity, and limitations in the built environment that inhibit route-finding.  Due to these considerations, individuals may demonstrate reduced involvement in a community and/or increased need for assistance; therefore, reducing their independence. …

Meet Our New Partner, Penny McPeak!
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Meet Our New Partner, Penny McPeak!

With a passion for photography, Penny McPeak started Penny & Lucy Lou Art in May of 2013, a truly unique art line that stands out by offering custom products for any type of interior or exterior art installation. All art is a turn-key finished product, created digitally, printed on various substrates, and manufactured in the Carolinas.  The art used in…

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.

Brush Development’s First Annual Practitioner Symposium
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Brush Development’s First Annual Practitioner Symposium

The First Annual Practitioner Symposium on September 29th brought together Montessori professionals from around the world who have completed our Practitioner Certification Course. Since the first cohort was certified in 2016, there are now over 276 Certified Montessori for Aging and Dementia Practitioners around the world.

Resident watering garden in Montessori environment
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Evergreen House: A Care Community that Feels Like Home

Since 2018, Jennifer has been working with Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina and McMillan Pazdan & Smith Architects to design Evergreen House, The Village at Summerville’s new memory support neighborhood. Evergreen House opened in December 2021 and is in the year-long process of rolling out the Montessori for Aging and Dementia philosophy. It is a beautifully designed space based on best practices for people living with dementia. Take a look at the design renderings – now brought to life!

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…

Evergreen House sign
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Art is a Meaningful (and Beautiful) Way to Help Elders Wayfind

For the past two years, Brush Development has been collaborating with Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina and McMillan Pazdan Smith Architects to design the new Evergreen House at Summerville, a thriving Montessori memory care community. Penny & Lucy Lou Art were instrumental in providing clear, vibrant images to complement the building design and aid in wayfinding. We couldn’t have had such success without the involvement of interior designer, Sydney Kerschen. The following interview with her is from Penny & Lucy Lou Art’s recent blog post.

Montessori for Elder and Dementia Care
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What is Montessori for Dementia?

Montessori philosophy, based on the principles of free choice and purposeful activity, has historically been focused on children’s education. However, its essential principles and practices are increasingly seen as critical to enhancing the lives of the older adults in our care. Central to both the Montessori philosophy and person-centered care are the core values of respect for the individual, the importance of knowing the person deeply, seeking and honoring the elder’s preferences over all aspects of his or her daily life, and creating a supportive environment that allows for continued participation in familiar and preferred activities, inside and outside.

How to create a supportive environment for older adults and people with dementia

Free webinar explains how to create a supportive environment for dementia

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…

ideal supportive environment for thsoe with dementia
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Tips for Creating a Supportive Environment for Older Adults

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…

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Choice is Part of Montessori for Aging and Dementia

A Montessori environment has different activities and work sitting out on tables and shelves and encourages individuals to decide what to work on each day.  This provides structure, but also gives the person independence, self-esteem and the knowledge that they are respected. The Montessori for Aging and Dementia philosophy believes that people with dementia should…