Using Montessori principles in caregiving

You may know of Montessori as it applies to young children, but did you know that there's a movement to use those same principles in caregiving with individuals who are on a dementia journey? At its center, I'd describe Montessori as a set of practices and beliefs that focus on the individual, helping them to do more for themselves, encouraging purposeful tasks and projects, setting up the space to help them be successful, and applying research-proven methods.

I love Montessori principles, but I don't think I've shared much content about it here. Watch the next few days for additional Montessori topics.

The Montessori principles are translateable to the dementia journey: creating an “environment, filled with cues and memory supports, that enables individuals to care for themselves, others, and their community.”

- Association Montessori Internationale

Dr Cameron Camp translated Montessori principles within dementia caregiving, and I like this quote from him:

"What does a person with dementia want? They want what a person without dementia wants. They want a purpose for their life. They want to know the people that they live with. They want the people they live with to know them. They want to have a reason to get out of bed in the morning. They want to feel good about the day when they go to bed… It’s about living well..." (2021. BoomerLiving podcast.)