Abstract/Notes: One-on-one structured Montessori-based activities conducted with people with dementia can improve agitation and enhance engagement. These activities may however not always be implemented by nursing home staff. Family members may present an untapped resource for enabling these activities. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the Montessori activities implemented by family members on visitation experiences with people who have dementia. This study strengthens the evidence base for the use of the Montessori programs in increasing well-being in nursing home residents. The findings also provide evidence that family members are an additional valuable resource in implementing structured activities such as the Montessori program with residents.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1017/S1041610219001819

ISSN: 1041-6102, 1741-203X

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: 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: 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

Abstract/Notes: Montessori for Dementia and Ageing (MDA) is a philosophy to support person-centered care (PCC) and autonomy of older adults. This quality improvement project documented outcomes of implementation of the MDA philosophy in a long-term care memory neighborhood. After an initial training session, MDA was implemented with weekly, 2-hour on-site coaching sessions over the course of two semesters (28 weeks) with a community of 20 female persons living with dementia (PWD). Primary outcomes were negative responsive behaviors of PWD, whereas the secondary outcome included percentage of active engagement of PWD. Mean number of negative responsive behaviors was 62.21 at baseline, which decreased to 33.82 at the end of the project per the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory. At baseline, PWD were actively engaged in 18.15% of observed opportunities, according to the Engage portion of the Resident-Centered Assessment of Interactions with Staff and Engagement Tool. At the end of the project, PWD were actively engaged in 40.56% of observed opportunities. Results suggest that MDA is feasible to implement PCC in a long-term care memory neighborhood. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 48(8), 6–9.]

Language: English

DOI: 10.3928/00989134-20220629-02

ISSN: 1938-243X, 0098-9134

Abstract/Notes: Objective: To compare ADL scores of elderly with early stage dementia who had attended Activities of Daily Living (ADL) skill training using Montessori-based activities with those who had not. Method: A quasi experimental study was conducted with Solomon Four Groups design experiment. The subjects consisted of 32 elderly living in Bang-Lamung senior home aged from 63-94 who met the inclusion criteria. They were diviecl into 2 qroups with 16 participants in each group then subgroup of 8 participants were selected to receive intervention and the controls were not. The screening instruments include mini mental status exam (MMSE-T2002) and Thai Geriatric Depression Scale (TGDS). Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scores of each subject were measured against Chula ADL index. The post test score was measured at the end of the 4th week, then the intervention was decreased and the follow-ups were measured at the end of the 8th and the 12th week. The data obtained was analyzed for descriptive statistics and the average ADL scores were compared by means of t-test and ANOVA. Results: The results showed that the average ADL pre-test scores of both groups were indifferent. The experimental groups average ADL scores of the post-test increased by 0.62 and the first follow up increased by 0.25 which are statistically significant at the level of p<0.05. Conclusion: Activities of Daily Living training using Montessori-based activities is effective in increasing ADL scores. It is recommended to be used as the activities for elderly with early stage dementia.

Language: Thai

ISSN: 2697-4126

Abstract/Notes: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of an activity implemented by means of Resident-Assisted Montessori Programming (RAMP). Design and Methods: Four persons with early-stage dementia were trained to serve as leaders for a small-group activity played by nine persons with more advanced dementia. Assessments of leaders' ability to learn the procedures of leading a group, as well as their satisfaction with this role, were taken, as were measures of players' engagement and affect during standard activities programming and RAMP activities. Results: Leaders demonstrated the potential to fill the role of group activity leader effectively, and they expressed a high level of satisfaction with this role. Players' levels of positive engagement and pleasure during the RAMP activity were higher than during standard group activities. Implications: This study suggests that to the extent that procedural learning is available to persons with early-stage dementia, especially when they are assisted with external cueing, these individuals can successfully fill the role of volunteers when working with persons with more advanced dementia. This can provide a meaningful social role for leaders and increase access to high quality activities programming for large numbers of persons with dementia.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1093/geront/44.3.426

ISSN: 0016-9013

Abstract/Notes: To explore the effectiveness of acupressure and Montessori-based activities in decreasing the agitated behaviors of residents with dementia. A double-blinded, randomized (two treatments and one control; three time periods) cross-over design was used. Six special care units for residents with dementia in long-term care facilities in Taiwan were the sites for the study. One hundred thirty-three institutionalized residents with dementia. Subjects were randomized into three treatment sequences: acupressure-presence-Montessori methods, Montessori methods-acupressure-presence and presence-Montessori methods-acupressure. All treatments were done once a day, 6 days per week, for a 4-week period. The Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory, Ease-of-Care, and the Apparent Affect Rating Scale. After receiving the intervention, the acupressure and Montessori-based-activities groups saw a significant decrease in agitated behaviors, aggressive behaviors, and physically nonaggressive behaviors than the presence group. Additionally, the ease-of-care ratings for the acupressure and Montessori-based-activities groups were significantly better than for the presence group. In terms of apparent affect, positive affect in the Montessori-based-activities group was significantly better than in the presence group. This study confirms that a blending of traditional Chinese medicine and a Western activities program would be useful in elderly care and that in-service training for formal caregivers in the use of these interventions would be beneficial for patients.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2009.02271.x

ISSN: 1532-5415

Abstract/Notes: This pilot project used Montessori principles to improve mealtimes of people with dementia. The four residents involved in the project were given six Montessori activities to carry out each day. The activities helped hand-eye coordination, levels of concentration and problem solving. This in turn had a positive impact on residents well-being during mealtimes.

Language: English

ISSN: 1351-8372

Language: English

ISSN: 0882-7524