Abstract/Notes: Creative activities can support people with dementia, leading to moments of reconnection and joy. This book shows how the Montessori method - with its arts-based, person-centred and positive focus - can help caregivers connect to people with dementia. Drawing on 20 years of experience, Tom and Karen Brenner explain the philosophy of the Montessori method, provide clearly-written steps to follow when applying it, and share a wealth of case studies and stories from their personal work using this method with people with dementia. This includes reading circles, art programmes, drum circles, poetry, and video diaries. Supported by research of the importance of creativity and the arts in dementia care, it is made clear throughout how every aspect of the Montessori method can help those with dementia to rediscover the world around them, maximising the opportunities they have to reconnect with their peers, family, friends, and support staff.

Language: English

Published: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2020

ISBN: 978-1-78592-813-0 978-1-78450-873-9 1-78450-873-X

Abstract/Notes: Objective To investigate the effect of the DementiAbility Methods: The Montessori Way (DMMW) on agitation in long-term care home residents with dementia. The activities using the DMMW are hypothesized to reduce agitation in terms of its frequency and disruptiveness to greater extent than structured social activities as control. Methods Forty-six long-term care home residents with dementia were randomly allocated to receive the DMMW (n = 23) or structured social activities as control (n = 23). Each participant received six intervention sessions of 45 minutes each within 2 weeks, at long-term care home. Agitation in terms of frequency and disruptiveness before and after the intervention were compared. Results The results showed that the DMMW resulted in significant reduction in overall frequency and disruptiveness of agitation. The DMMW group had significant reduction in frequency and disruptiveness of verbal aggressive, physical nonaggressive, and physical aggressive behaviors after the intervention. Conclusions The present findings support the potential of the DMMW as a safe and efficacious therapeutic intervention for addressing agitation in long-term care home residents with dementia, relevant to Hong Kong culture.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1002/gps.5063

ISSN: 1099-1166

Abstract/Notes: The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted the Adult Day Services program and Adult Day programs across the country. As the Adult Day Services program transitions to an in-person format, goals within the organization include developing appropriate programming, increasing group size, and keeping clients entertained. The framework guiding this quality improvement project is Montessori-Based Dementia Programming ® (MBDP). This project aims to increase client engagement, decrease client anxiety, and decrease staff workload. This will be measured by a self-developed staff workload survey, the Menorah-Park Engagement, and the Affect rating scale. Implementation of MBDP at the Adult Day Center did not meet all projected goals, however benefits of MBDP were observed. The benefits of MBDP include improved affect and engagement of clients when participating in MBDP.

Language: English

Published: San Francisco, California, 2022

Abstract/Notes: Literature regarding Montessori-based activities with older adults with dementia is fairly common with early stages of dementia. Conversely, research on said activities with individuals experiencing late-stage dementia is limited because of logistical difficulties in sampling and data collection. Given the need to understand risks and benefits of treatments for individuals with late-stage dementia, specifically regarding their mental and behavioral health, this study sought to evaluate the effects of a Montessori-based activity program implemented in a long-term care facility. Utilizing an interrupted time series design, trained staff completed observation-based measures for 43 residents with late-stage dementia at three intervals over six months. Empirical measures assessed mental health (anxiety, psychological well-being, quality of life) and behavioral health (problem behaviors, social engagement, capacity for activities of daily living). Group differences were observed via repeated measures ANOVA and paired-samples t-tests. The aggregate, longitudinal results—from baseline to final data interval—for the psychological and behavioral health measures were as follows: problem behaviors diminished though not significantly; social engagement decreased significantly; capacities for activities of daily living decreased significantly; quality of life increased slightly but not significantly; anxiety decreased slightly but not significantly; and psychological well-being significantly decreased. Improvements observed for quality of life and problem behaviors may yield promise for Montessori-based activities and related health care practices. The rapid physiological and cognitive deterioration from late-stage dementia should be considered when interpreting these results.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1177/1471301217703242

ISSN: 1741-2684, 1471-3012

Abstract/Notes: Background: To evaluate the effect of Montessori method on cognitive and behavioral function in patients with senile dementia by meta-analysis. Methods: The randomized controlled trials of the effect of Montessori method on cognitive and behavioral functions of Alzheimer’s patients in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Excerpt Medica Database, The Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature, Chinese BioMedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Weipu Information Chinese Periodical Service Platform database and Wanfang database were searched by computer, and the references of relevant literatures were traced. Two researchers independently conducted literature screening, data extraction, evaluation and inclusion in the literature, using RevMan 5.4.1 software for meta-analysis. Results: A total of 11 literatures were included and 936 patients were enrolled. Meta analysis shows that compared with routine nursing, Montessori method is helpful to improve the overall cognitive function (standardized mean difference = 1.53, 95% confidence interval (1.32, 1.73), P < 0.01), activities of daily living and reduce the incidence of adverse events (relative risk = 0.37, 95% confidence interval (0.21, 0.63), P < 0.01) in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Conclusion: Montessori method is helpful to improve the overall cognitive function, activities of daily living and reduce the incidence of adverse events in patients with senile dementia. Affected by the included study, it still needs to be confirmed by multi center and large sample randomized controlled study.

Language: English

DOI: 10.53388/AGING202204007

ISSN: 2815-7168

Language: English

Published: New York: Bloomsbury, 2023

ISBN: 978-1-350-27561-4 978-1-350-27560-7 978-1-350-27562-1

Series: Bloomsbury Handbooks

Language: English

Language: English

ISSN: 0888-0352

Language: English

Published: Beachwood, Ohio: Meyers Research Institute, 1999

Abstract/Notes: This chapter focuses upon that interface between lifelong learning and older persons living with dementia (PLWD). Reviewing the area of fourth age learning – that is, learning initiatives for older persons living with physical and/or cognitive health challenges – it argues that late-life learning requires a distinctive geragogical perspective that is separate from pedagogical and andragogical principles for children and adults, respectively. This is especially warranted for PLWD who often cannot speak, not in control of their thoughts or body, and in different “irrational” relations to objects around them, and hence, necessitate a theoretical and methodological perspective that makes it possible for facilitators to validate and explore the significance of silence by focusing closely on space and visuals. While learning interventions for PLWD are marked by eclectic curricula – that range from information and communication technology, participatory arts, vocational skills to Montessori-based programming – most are limited by an excessive preoccupation with enabling the participants to restore their old “self” while overlooking how they can engage in creative activities introduced naturally through conversation and/or reminiscence. The post-humanist approach offers much potential for the planning, implementation, and interpreting of lifelong learning in dementia settings as it allows arts-based, visual, sensory, movement, and sonic practices to produce beneficial outcomes for post-verbal participants such as PLWD. Moreover, it acknowledges that successful learning initiatives in dementia care settings are premised on the facilitator’s capacity to skillfully connect with the participants and introduce activities at a pace that suited their abilities and interests.

Language: English

Published: Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2022

ISBN: 978-3-030-67930-9

Series: Springer International Handbooks of Education