We are proud to share this article written by Beth Ann Scruggs, Director of the Renew Montessori Center for Aging and Memory, an adult day program in Fort Mill, South Carolina. The Brush Development team has been in partnership with Renew since 2020, working with the leadership team to plan and implement a Montessori program, training staff, and providing ongoing coaching as the program got off the ground. We are so proud of all they have accomplished!

Inspiring Purpose through Montessori at Renew Center, Adult Enrichment Centers

Renew Center is a new program of Adult Enrichment Centers, which employs Montessori principles to create meaning filled days for our members with early onset dementia, Alzheimer’s, or age-related cognitive delays. The very premise of our program is purpose. We all need to feel wanted and useful. Our day center employs a prepared Montessori environment that honors our members as individuals, invites them to engage in purposeful work, and creates meaningful days, while imparting satisfaction and accomplishment.

A day at Renew finds our members enjoying their own individual interests and fulfilling their preferred roles in our prepared environment. A great example is Mr. Bill. Mr. Bill has a keen curiosity and seeks to continuously expand his knowledge. We set up a desk for Mr. Bill, where he enjoys doing research, writing letters, and helping to prepare the daily inspirational message for our Center. Mr. Bill is pictured here reviewing his diaries from his time overseas in the military, which he is using to write a detailed memoire for his loved ones.

Another example of purpose in action was on National Senior Citizens Day this fall. Together, our members and our friends worked on a picnic table to donate to the Historic Paradise Foundation in Fort Mill. We also put together 50 snack bags for the children to enjoy after school. It was a wonderful day and an outstanding opportunity to both share our skills and demonstrate that our seniors can make meaningful contributions to the lives of others.

Our members have spent their lives contributing to society through work, social activities, friendships, and charity. This sense of purpose doesn’t end with age or a dementia or Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Our programming recognizes our seniors’ contributions and acknowledges that they are vibrant, capable individuals who have contributed and continue to contribute to the wellbeing of our communities.

Beth Ann Scruggs, CFRE, D. Ed.
Center Director RENEW