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"The greatest sign of success for a teacher is to be able to say, '[My students] are now working as if I did not exist.'"
- MARIA MONTESSORI -
Hello Vincent,
Can you recall a time when you were immersed in an activity you loved? Time probably flew by because you were enjoying it so much. When the activity is interesting and the challenge matches our ability to accomplish it, we might find ourselves in a "flow state." Although research on flow didn't begin until the 1970s, Dr. Maria Montessori understood the power of these experiences for her students decades earlier. Using Montessori principles, we can leverage the remaining strengths and interests of persons with dementia to find opportunities for flow at home and in communities.
Watch Dr. Shelton's presentation during the "Decoding Dementia Gathering" HERE to learn about flow states for persons with dementia, and how to design activities for optimal engagement. We invite you to participate in the 30 day challenge and let us know about your experience! Email jamie@cen4ard.com to get the resources you'll need for the challenges.
Scroll down to "harvest" our fall food-inspired activities and new Food-themed Reading Roundtable® pack. Our activities include guidance on how you can adapt the challenge level to help participants get into a "flow state."
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In this Newsletter
- Activity Ideas & Resources - Using Tongs and Food Prep
- Montessori Mini Lessons - 12 Principles & Montessori at Home
- Training and Product Updates - NEW! Food-themed Reading Roundtable® Gold Pack
- Media and News Round Up - Decoding Dementia Recordings / McKnights Article / Boomers Today Podcast
- Upcoming Events - "Doctors with Dementia"
- Partner Spotlight - MemoryScapes.org
- Newly Credentialed Communities - Credentialing expands for Adult Day Programs!
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Food-Inspired Fall Activities | |
As the air gets cooler, we may be donning more layers of clothes and enjoying comfort foods with our loved ones. The activities described here encourage participation and engagement through a number of Montessori principles, including having a purpose, giving the person something to hold, and demonstrating each activity. | | |
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Applesauce Seasoning & Peanut Butter Spreading
The sight and smell of food can stimulate interest in tasting it, and may access memories surrounding dining, cooking and baking. This activity demonstrates seasoning some applesauce, which may be combined with a visit to an apple orchard, or trying an applesauce recipe from scratch if appropriate. Encourage social connection through this activity throughout the preparation steps and by eating together.
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Using Tongs
Practicing the use of tongs has benefits for hand-eye coordination, fine and gross motor skills, and helps to enhance one's range of motion. Improving this skill can allow an individual to help serve food to others at special events like Thanksgiving, or adding an olive to a martini at a happy hour.
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12 Montessori Principles with Dr. Camp
Join Dr. Camp every Wednesday on social media for stories and ideas that demonstrate how each of the 12 key Montessori principles engage and empower those living with dementia.
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"We tried gardening, but they just ate the dirt!"
Let's view this activity from the perspective of someone living with dementia.
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Help! Someone keeps peeing in the corner.
Most of these situations can be easily fixed the Montessori way: with visual hints and cues.
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Montessori for Engagement at Home
Maria Montessori said, "Help those seeking activity to find it."
When someone is engaged in an activity that is meaningful to them and fits their abilities, we do not see them repeating a question, wandering into unsafe spaces, or another responsive behavior. Nelly Selby offers some suggestions of purposeful activities for engagement at home in this Montessori Mini lesson.
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Montessori Dementia Care Professionals
Online Course
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Ready to take the next step in becoming a Montessori Dementia Care Professional? Take our most popular course. You will learn the basic principles of the Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® and how to adapt this programming to meet the needs of clients and facilities.
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NEW! Reading Roundtable® Gold Pack:
Food Stories
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You spoke and we listened! Our most popular stories are about food, so we've combined 6 of our most popular booklets into a new Gold Pack. Reading groups will find themselves engaged in discussions about the history behind their favorite foods, recipes, and treats they love.
Each Gold Pack includes 10 copies each of 6 food-themed Reading Roundtable® stories. Encourage engagement from each group member by having a copy for everyone, with invitations for the next reader, and discussion prompts throughout the stories. Download free leader labels to empower persons with dementia to lead their own reading groups.
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McKnights News: Engaging Residents with the Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® | | |
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The Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® is, first and foremost, a person-centered approach to life. Based on the fundamental human values of respect, dignity, equality, and trust, it can be applied to any setting and to all persons. | |
Decoding Dementia Gathering | |
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Did you miss the Decoding Dementia Gathering?
No worries! Check out the recordings below.
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SESSION 1
Learning from the Pioneers of Person-Directed Living
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SESSION 2
Building a Case for Your Person-Directed Approach
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SESSION 3
30-Day Challenge: Putting Person-Directed Methods into Practice
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Dr. Camp Invited on Boomers Today Podcast | |
Dr. Camp sat down with Frank Samson, founder and CEO of Senior Care Authority®, to have a conversation about the Montessori approach to dementia care. Hear their conversation in the button below. | | |
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NATIONAL COUNCIL OF DEMENTIA MINDS
"Doctors with Dementia: Flipping the Script"
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Starting October 19th at 1 PM Eastern! | |
Welcome to “Doctors with Dementia: Flipping the Script,” a dedicated group of retired physicians living with various types of dementia. National Council of Dementia Minds invites you to join them for a series of webinars in which they will share their perspectives as educators and advocates. Their goal is to change the way we approach dementia care. Join them to enhance your understanding of cognitive impairment, improve communication and care skills, and be a part of a collaborative and compassionate approach to supporting persons living with dementia. | |
Center for Applied Research in Dementia is pleased to partner with MemoryScapes visual aids and environmental support tools (e.g., stickers and door wraps). Recognizing the importance of an environment that aligns with a person's abilities, MemoryScapes demonstrate our shared values and our mission of enabling as much independence for each person as possible. | |
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A Little About MemoryScapes
MemoryScapes is passionate about all the abilities one still has preserved even with memory deficits. Their exclusive visual aids and safety tools can help those with cognitive deficits navigate their home and mitigate elopement.
With over a decade in the senior living and skilled nursing space, they have firsthand experience working with people with dementia and memory needs. Memoryscapes.org offers resources and knowledge on their website HERE.
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New Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® Credentialed Communities | |
These communities have earned new Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® Credential levels through their commitment to Montessori values and raising the bar for person-centered care. | |
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Adult Day Program earns
Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® Credential!
CaringPlace of the Shoals, one of only two
MIL Credentialed Adult Day Programs in the world, has shown that treating people with respect, dignity, and equality is the best approach both inside and outside a person's home.
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CaringPlace of the Shoals is a non-profit organization in Florence, AL, operating an Adult Day Service program for clients with memory loss due to Alzheimer’s disease and other related disorders, as well as older adults who are frail and/or functionally impaired without memory loss. Using Montessori Inspired Dementia Programming, CaringPlace staff provide a sense of belonging, build friendships with others, and enhance quality of life for those who might otherwise feel isolated, lonely, or depressed
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Fairmont Senior Living of Northville in Michigan has exceeded expectations by embracing Montessori principles and earning a silver credential in just a few short months. Their mission is to provide compassionate care and personalized services so that our community members experience a sense of stability, fulfillment, and well-being in each and every moment. The care staff focuses primarily on each individual resident’s strengths, rather than their weaknesses, affording a life of dignity and well-being for all those who call Fairmont Senior Living of Northville home. | | |
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Fairmont Senior Living of Washington Township in Ohio has exceeded expectations by embracing Montessori principles and earning a silver credential in just a few short months. Their mission is to provide compassionate care and personalized services so that our community members experience a sense of stability, fulfillment, and well-being in each and every moment. The care staff focuses primarily on each individual resident’s strengths, rather than their weaknesses, affording a life of dignity and well-being for all those who call Fairmont Senior Living of Washington Township home. | | |
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Residents at The Hickman Friends Senior Community in West Chester, PA, are treated with respect and compassion. Stimulating daily activities, family-style dining, and a beautiful enclosed garden are all designed to enhance engagement with others and quality of life. Guided by Quaker principles and traditions that value all life and welcome diversity, The Hickman offers individualized care allowing older adults the opportunity to enjoy a productive life and to explore the richness of all of life’s possibilities. | | |
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The Goodman Group's Westpark Village in Billings, MT, is part of one of the most respected names in senior living and health care communities nationwide, and defined by exceptional lifestyles, care and services. Their Pearls of Life® memory care neighborhoods recognize the value of each individual and helps residents live dignified, well-rounded lives, discovering the treasures, or pearls, within. Team members at The Goodman Group managed communities deliver on the promise that each resident will have the opportunity to lead a purposeful life.
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Residents of Fairmont Senior Living on Clayton‘s Memory Care Neighborhood in Richmond Heights, MO, are thriving in a Montessori-based program that meets each person at their current level of need, while promoting a lifestyle of independence and purpose. A holistic care approach with an emphasis on physical and cognitive therapy practices specifically designed to foster a community-based experience for the residents, their families, and staff caring for them. This, along with group engagement programs that establish social roles and a sense of belonging, ensures each member sustains a sense of purpose and engagement while maintaining personal independence. | | |
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The Goodman Group's The Commons on Marice in Eagan, MN, is part of one of the most respected names in senior living and health care communities nationwide, and defined by exceptional lifestyles, care and services. Their Pearls of Life® memory care neighborhoods recognize the value of each individual and helps residents live dignified, well-rounded lives, discovering the treasures, or pearls, within. Team members at The Goodman Group managed communities deliver on the promise that each resident will have the opportunity to lead a purposeful life.
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Read more about the Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® community credentialing process HERE, or send an email to jamie@cen4ard.com to learn how your care community can deliver the pinnacle of person-centered care through a Montessori-based approach.
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34194 Aurora Road #182
Solon, OH 44139
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We'd Love to Hear From You!
Please reach out to us at info@cen4ard.com with feedback or questions you may have.
Sincerely,
—The Team at CARD
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