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Memory Care Resources & Support
Greetings!

A Montessori approach works so well for memory care because it is based on ideas that are true for everyone. The principle we focus on this month brings more dignity to people with dementia by encouraging independence and engagement. Keep reading for activities and ideas that encourage the use of remaining strengths and abilities.
 
We're hearing from many care professionals about working in crisis mode and demanding conditions during this difficult year. We are now helping leaders create healthier workplaces and sustain care teams through a traumatic time. The Montessori Leadership webinar series continues with Deep Dives into tools that create better workplace relationships and satisfaction.
 
Please forward this message to anyone providing memory care, or long-term care leaders that want to create a more engaging and safe environment. If you received this message from a friend or colleague, click here to sign up for our mailing list and be sure to add info@cen4ard.com to your "safe senders list".
This Month’s Key Montessori Principle Is
“Abilities. Focus On What The Person Can Do.”
This month, we remember to focus on a person's remaining skills and strengths, while also taking into account what their needs are. Consider what tools or “cognitive ramps” would help someone succeed using the abilities available to them. Can the person read if the print is large enough? What do they need to feel reassured they aren’t going to miss a visit from a family member? A note from the loved one with the time of the next visit and permission to attend an activity may be enough to bring someone out of their room. Similarly, we’ve seen water intake increase just by adding a sign by a water cooler saying, “Help yourself”.

Provide opportunities for people to contribute to the community using their strengths. Someone that can use a template or imitate an action can help set the table for a meal. Invite a person with a great sense of humor to warm up a group by telling a joke at the beginning of a scheduled activity. A person can still serve ice cream or decorate for a party, even without strong verbal skills.

We may be tempted to step in and complete a task ourselves when we see someone struggling, but then we deprive them of their dignity or sense of competence. Someone may be able to put away their own laundry as long as the drawers have clear labels. Another person may be able to feed himself if you just put food on his fork.
Upcoming Events
These events are open to the public. Internal training sessions for communities and companies are also available. Reach out to jcaracci@monarch-pathways.com to discuss training opportunities for your team. 
Wednesday May 26th, 2021
2:00-3:00pm EST
Our exploration of the 12 Key Montessori principles webinar series continues this month as Gary Johnson and Cameron Camp explain the applications of Principle 5: Abilities for both residents and staff of care communities.
 
Register for this or any events in the series at www.monarch-pathways.com/12-principle-webinars
Next Webinar: Appreciative Inquiry
Tuesday June 8th, 2021
1:00-3:00pm EST
At a time when demand for staff is high, keeping the quality team members you have is even more important, and an engaged workplace will be sure to attract other talent to your team. The deep dive webinar series looks at specific techniques and tools to support a healthy workplace and community.
 
Learning Circles ensure each person's voice is heard, so your staff can overcome challenges and strengthen their relationships.
 
Appreciative Inquiry helps people focus on the resources they have to overcome challenging situations.
 
Huddles effectively communicate critical information at the beginning of every shift.
 
Each webinar is 2 hours long
CEUs approved or pending for Administrators (NAB), Human Resources (SHRM), Dementia Care Professionals (NCCDP), Activity Professionals (NCCAP), Recreational Therapists (NCTRC), Care Managers (NACCM), Nursing Professionals, Social Workers (NV), Occupational Therapists (OH), and Diversional Therapists (NZSDRT)
  
Learn more about these upcoming training opportunities and register at
Our recent 6-hour Leadership Bootcamp was a great success. If you missed it, we'll repeat the event in August, or you can take the original online course on your own schedule and find out why one attendee said, "Montessori ideals are a great way to engage & empower staff." 
Activity Ideas And Inspiration
We have selected these resources from our activity manuals that exemplify this month's principle: Abilities. Focus on what the person can do.

Find these and other activities ideas on our Free Resources page. 

Browse activity manuals and other books in our Online Shop.
Rock Painting
Fine motor activities can be difficult for older adults experiencing arthritis, impairments due to stroke, and problems with vision. Here is an activity designed to allow participants to demonstrate basic abilities underlying fine motor skills and can serve as a foundation for further refinement of these skills.
Hand Massage
The sense of touch is retained even when others fade. An easy way to do this is through a hand massage. Sharing this experience with someone can bring relaxation and social connection to both the recipient and the masseuse.
Magnetic Objects
Some activities are designed to enhance restorative nursing and rehabilitation programs by enabling residents and staff to become more engaged and interested in participating. This activity allows a person to exercise range of motion, enhance fine and gross motor skills, and practice the use of tools.
Bottles and Lids
Here is another restorative and rehabilitative activity that can be easily implemented at home to practice active range of motion, grip strength, and the skills necessary to open and close jars and maintain independence.
Coming Soon!
Person-Centered Montessori Assessment SystemTM
Discover a new way to assess an individual's preserved abilities, create a more person-centered care plan, and create opportunities for persons with dementia and related disorders.

Person-Centered Montessori Assessment SystemTM

Arriving Summer 2021

Learn more and sign up for updates at https://bit.ly/3weEv2b
Announcements from CARD Partners
DAI's Meeting Of The Minds May Webinar discussing evidence-based strategies for both people with dementia and their supporters to maximize wellbeing. Click here to register.
The Re-envisioning Elder Care Virtual Conference is free with a fee for continuing education credits.

Save the Date: September 10, 2021. 
 
Email connect.reach@med.fsu.edu for updates.
Opening Minds through Art (OMA) is an award-winning, evidence-based, intergenerational art-making program for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of neurocognitive disorders, with training opportunities startin May 31st. 

Click here for more information about OMA.
Have you had success using Montessori principles in your care community? We want to promote and feature you! Send your story to us at info@cen4ard.com so we can help inspire more people to join the memory care revolution.


Be well and take care,

Cameron Camp, Vince Antenucci, Nelly Jane Selby,
and the team at Center for Applied Research in Dementia
Please forward this email to anyone in your network that would be interested in memory care resources or training. If you received this update from a friend and would like to sign-up for our newsletters and updates, click here.