Greetings!
"Everything you do for me, you take from me."
- Maria Montessori -
This concept is true whether a person is 2, 102, or any age in between. Although often done out of love, doing everything for a person—especially tasks that they are capable of doing on their own or with minimal assistance—not only robs the person of an opportunity to be independent, but also the feeling of satisfaction and dignity that accompanies that independence. Yet, Dr. Montessori's concept is difficult for some care partners to put into practice. Why?
The reason is usually a combination of these:
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We are trained to provide a service. We are paid to do these tasks FOR people. If we do things differently, will this have a negative impact on how our supervisors view us?
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We don't have time. It may be faster to do things for the person than find a way to enable them to do it for themselves.
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(For contractors) I'll get paid less because some tasks would take longer. This is changing in some professions to give more weight on quality of care metrics and less on quantity of tasks.
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I want to make life easier for them. Although it is coming from a place of kindness, it is worth considering whether dependence and comfort should always outweigh dignity and self-esteem.
Benefits of Preserving Independence
The benefits of preserving a person's independence far outweigh the cost of the time investment of "preparing the environment," as Dr. Montessori would say. In care communities, for example, the results are:
- better relationships formed
- significant reduction in behaviors
- significant reduction in the use of certain medications
- an increase in employee retention
- an increase in census
Learn more about all the research-backed benefits HERE, or keep reading for more helpful content.
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Keep Reading For More
- Activity Ideas & Resources
- Montessori Mini Lessons
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Training and Product Updates - NEW! Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® for Employee Engagement
- Media & News Roundup
- Partner Spotlight: Arbor Springs
- Newly Credentialed Communities
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This peaceful springtime decorating activity is designed to refine fine motor skills and demonstrates MONTESSORI PRINCIPLE #5: Abilities. Focus on what the person CAN do. The full instructions include modifications to adapt to any ability level.
This activity has been used creatively in community settings. For example, Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® community WindSong at Southridge has a rock trading post and hides rocks on their neighborhood outings for those in the greater community to find. Another community created a memorial rock garden to commemorate each of their friends that passed.
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View the post on social media and follow us! |
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Browse activity manuals and other books in our Online Shop.
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Watch these bite-sized videos from CARD trainers on ways to use Montessori-based practices to make life more engaging and fulfilling for persons living with dementia. |
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SPECIAL EDITION
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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Key Montessori Principle #1: Sense of Purpose
What gets you out of bed every day? Everyone needs a purpose.
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"Busy Work" vs Purpose
"Busywork is an insult. Busywork is an activity without purpose."
- Dr. Camp
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Montessori Principle #4:
Demonstrate more. Talk less.
In this Mini Lesson, Nelly Selby suggests tapping into the ability of imitation to enable a person with dementia to have more independence.
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Sharpen Your Montessori Skills Further
Learn more about how to apply these principles while earning CEUs. Take our course "12 Key Principles of the Montessori Inspired Lifestyle®."
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INTRODUCING THE FIRST
Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® Credentialed Community for Employee Engagement!
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After implementing the Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® for Resident Engagement, some communities like Arbor Springs wanted to embed the Montessori philosophy into their culture even further.
Together we asked,
"How can we use the same principles of respect, dignity, equality, and trust to build better relationships with both our residents and EMPLOYEES?"
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The result is the Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® for Employee Engagement—a credentialing program that empowers employees to create a system for themselves and their team to grow professionally and personally, resulting in happier and more productive employees. The program was created with our partner Gary Johnson at Monarch Pathways using his many years of experience in developing leaders and inspiring teams as a nursing home administrator.
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Contact us to learn how this program is helping our clients retain employees and nurture productive teams. |
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ELEVATE ELDERCARE PODCAST
"Abilities, Not Deficits; Montessori & Dementia"
Penny Cook (CCO of Center for Innovation and former CEO of Pioneer Network) and Dr. Camp have a discussion about the impact of Montessori in long-term care.
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CATHOLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION PODCAST
"Montessori Methods in Memory Care"
Michelle Feller talks with Dr. Camp and Julie Minda about her experience successfully implementing the Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® at her community, ArchCare at Ferncliff Nursing Home.
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Arbor Springs has made a mark on memory care with the first Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® Credential for Employee Engagement, and their level of innovation is evident throughout their community. Here is one example that shows their commitment to giving residents purposeful activities and creating opportunities to live life to the fullest... |
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Arbor Springs teamed up with supportive community partners to enable the residents to serve and care for others in need - foster cats! A local animal shelter brings the cats to them, handles the paperwork, and provides food and kitty litter. Local high school students helped to build a "cat condo" in shop class, and students come in throughout the week to help provide care for the cats and engage with the residents.
By utilizing social media, they have had some cats adopted relatively quickly! In the meantime, residents engage with the visiting cats freely in common areas, or take them for a ride in a cat stroller - a perfect activity for an active resident and an interested cat! The cat in the photo is shown in front of the "cat condo"; and an application to adopt this cat was submitted within a week.
We continue to be impressed with the amazing things happening in this Montessori Community. Fostering cats is just one way they are adding meaning to the lives of their residents.
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New Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® Credentialed Communities |
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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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The Montecito in Santa Fe, New Mexico embraces the Montessori approach and has earned a COMMUNITY-WIDE Gold Level Credential for its Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care neighborhoods. Fostering a community-based experience, group engagement programs establish social roles and a sense of belonging, while singular activity programs cater to the needs of each resident independently. At The Montecito Santa Fe, each community member sustains a sense of purpose and engagement while maintaining personal independence.
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Larksfield Place is a not-for-profit life plan community that has been serving Wichita, KS, since 1988. Magnolia Court Memory Support residences within Larksfield Place Assisted Living is now a Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® credentialed community, working to fulfill its mission of enriching the lives of discerning older adults by providing distinctive lifestyle, health and wellness services.
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Arbor Springs has earned the world’s FIRST Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® Credential for EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT and is Iowa’s only Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) that is dedicated entirely to Alzheimer’s and dementia care. Arbor Springs cares for individuals through all stages of dementia. Located in a residential area, a hallmark of Arbor Springs is its award-winning design that offers residents the comfort, safety, and security of an environment similar to their own home.
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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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