Abstract/Notes: Person-centered models of dementia care commonly merge aspects of existing models with additional influences from published and unpublished evidence and existing government policy. This study reports on the development and evaluation of one such composite model of person-centered dementia care, the ABLE model. The model was based on building the capacity and ability of residents living with dementia, using environmental changes, staff education and organizational and community engagement. Montessori principles were also used. The evaluation of the model employed mixed methods. Significant behavior changes were evident among residents of the dementia care Unit after the model was introduced, as were reductions in anti-psychotic and sedative medication. Staff reported increased knowledge about meeting the needs of people with dementia, and experienced organizational culture change that supported the ABLE model of care. Families were very satisfied with the changes.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2014.11.003

ISSN: 0197-4572

Abstract/Notes: The Montessori Method for dementia is a specific approach to dementia care that can be implemented as an alternative to pharmaceutical intervention with its focus on purposeful and meaningful doing. Montessori-based interventions that were found effective in increasing self-feeding for people with dementia included activities requiring hand-eye coordination, scooping, pouring and squeezing. For this project, there were five participants from a residential care facility. This study consisted of doing activities or exercises to simulate eating right before mealtime. This occurred three times per week for eight weeks. The broad long-term purpose of this project was to increase participation in the daily occupation of self-feeding for people with dementia in residential care facilities. Montessori-based occupational therapy interventions could provide caregivers with an evidence-based strategy to deal with eating difficulties of people with dementia.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2015

Abstract/Notes: Background: Increasingly more attention has been paid to non-pharmacological interventions as treatment of agitated behaviors that accompany dementia. The aim of the current study is to test if personalized one-to-one interaction activities based on Montessori principles will improve agitation, affect, and engagement more than a relevant control condition.Methods: We conducted a randomized crossover trial in nine residential facilities in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia (n = 44). Personalized one-to-one activities that were delivered using Montessori principles were compared with a non-personalized activity to control for the non-specific benefits of one-to-one interaction. Participants were observed 30 minutes before, during, and after the sessions. The presence or absence of a selected physically non-aggressive behavior was noted in every minute, together with the predominant type of affect and engagement.Results: Behavior counts fell considerably during both the Montessori and control sessions relative to beforehand. During Montessori activities, the amount of time spend actively engaged was double compared to during the control condition and participants displayed more positive affect and interest as well. Participants with no fluency in English (all from non-English speaking backgrounds) showed a significantly larger reduction in agitation during the Montessori than control sessions.Conclusion: Our results show that even non-personalized social contact can assist in settling agitated residents. Tailoring activities to residents’ needs and capabilities elicit more positive interactions and are especially suitable for people who have lost fluency in the language spoken predominantly in their residential facility. Future studies could explore implementation by family members and volunteers to avoid demands on facilities’ resources.Trial Registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry – ACTRN12609000564257.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1017/S1041610212002128

ISSN: 1041-6102, 1741-203X

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

Language: English

DOI: 10.1177/1533317510385810

ISSN: 1082-5207, 2162-9986

Abstract/Notes: Nine dyads comprised of nursing home visitors and long-term care residents with dementia took part in a study to examine the effects of using Montessori-based activities during visits. Results indicated that use of Montessori-based activities was associated with significant increases in active forms of residents' engagement with visitors, and corresponding decreases in passive forms of engagement. Visitors' self-reported burden decreased from pre- to post-test. All of the participating visitors stated that they had observed positive changes in residents during the use of the activities and would recommend the training to others.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1300/J018v26n01_07

ISSN: 0731-7115

Abstract/Notes: Montessori-based activities for persons with dementia have been used to successfully provide opportunities for programming between older adults and preschool children in shared site intergenerational care programs. Such intergenerational programming allows older adults with dementia to fulfill roles of teacher or mentor to younger children or as collaborative workmates for persons with more advanced dementia while providing children with positive one-on-one interactions with older adults. We review several studies using this approach; describe characteristics of the programs, participants, and results obtained; and provide recommendations for those interested in extending this line of work.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1080/15350770.2011.618374

ISSN: 1535-0770

Language: English

Published: Beachwood, Ohio: Meyers Research Institute, 1999

Abstract/Notes: Objectives This systematic review examined the effectiveness of Montessori-based programmes for individuals with dementia living in residential aged care. Methods Nine databases were searched between January 2010 to October 2021, including Scopus, CINAHL, MEDLINE, Web of Science, SocINDEX with Full Text, PubMed, PsycINFO, Cochrane library and Cochrane Registry. Publications were included if they used Montessori-based programmes as interventions for individuals with dementia living in residential aged care and were qualitative, quantitative, mixed-method, or pilot studies. The quality of eligible studies was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal instruments and the Mixed Method Critical Appraisal Tool. The findings were tabulated and narratively synthesised. Results Fifteen studies were included in this review. The quality scores of the 15 studies ranged from 62 to 100 out of 100. Four key categories of outcomes were observed: (1) significantly improved engagement; (2) significantly improved mental health outcomes, including affect, depression, agitation, excessive eating and psychotropic medication prescriptions; (3) significantly improved feeding difficulty but mixed results regarding nutritional status; and (4) no significant changes in the activities of daily living and quality of life of individuals with dementia. Conclusion Cognitive capacity, personal preferences, individual care needs and the design of Montessori-based activities are pivotal to tailoring personalised Montessori-based activities for individuals with dementia in residential aged care and to maximise intervention outcomes. The synergistic effect of integrating Spaced Retrieval with Montessori-based activities in improving the eating ability and nutritional status of individuals with dementia was also noticed. The study summarised evidence about the effectiveness of Montessori-based programmes for individuals with dementia and informed healthcare professionals about how to implement individualised Montessori-based programmes.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1177/14713012231173817

ISSN: 1741-2684, 1471-3012

Language: Korean

ISSN: 1598-1649, 2671-812X