The Alzheimer Society of Canada published a recent study on Alzheimer’s that is quite disturbing. In Canada, Alzheimer’s disease will affect one million people by 2030. That’s an alarming increase of seniors with dementia and it highlights the importance of adapting care for them. At present, no prevention program is offered. A health care system…
Unpacking Dementia Myths: “It Doesn’t Matter Because They Won’t Remember Anyway.” If you are a memory care professional, you’ve likely heard this expression before. Maybe the thought has even crossed your own mind at some point in your experience providing care for a person with dementia. The idea, of course, is that slip-ups or shortcuts…
Montessori Alzheimer Solution in LTC: Draw on the Past of the Alzheimer’s Resident Mr. Gagnon is an elderly gentleman who has Alzheimer’s disease. He has been living in a long-term care residence for 2 years and wanders the corridors several times a day. Every morning, he gets up very early and leaves his room. Sometimes…
Accepting the new reality will help to preserve harmony in relationships affected by dementia. Mrs. Duchesne* is in the moderate stage of Alzheimer’s and behaves in a somewhat controlling manner, insisting she can do things that she really shouldn’t be doing. Her husband tries to intervene, but she is adamant. She defiantly declares, “Yes, I…
Disruptive Behaviors – Ever Try Lavender Baths? When it takes three experienced staff members to convince, cajole, and physically coax a resident to take a bath, you know something is not right. Disruptive behaviors can be managed in a better way. After several traumatic bathing sessions with Mrs. Delaney*, the staff and management realized they needed…
Relational Care Can Enrich the Lives of Staff and Residents. Orderlies who work in assisted living and long-term care residences have a tough job. Not only is the work physically and mentally demanding, but they have to walk a fine line because while the ‘job’ must be done, the orderly is actually there to serve…
Learning about the life history of a person with dementia will help you help them. André, a new resident at an assisted living home in Quebec, was lonely and unhappy due to the loss of his wife and difficulties caused by Parkinson’s disease. During a casual visit with André, a staff member asked him about his past….
This is What They Say About Montessori Alzheimer Center Here are just some of the testimonials we’ve received… Here is a good example of success when a staff member worked to engage a resident named Mrs. M and capitalized on her preserved capacities. As you will see in this testimonial, Mrs. M’s reactional behavior was…
Dementia Care The Montessori method adapted for the cognitively impaired – a method based on rehabilitation and adaptive techniques – provides the nexus between the perception of the person living with dementia and the reality of that person. Recognizing the whole person and working to bring out the very best in them is what helps…
Baby boomers, either looking for a place for their parents or for themselves, will be making new demands on the senior care industry, especially in memory care. Hearkening back to their days of wearing t-shirts saying “Question Authority,” Boomers will be demanding that they and their parents have much more control over their lives…
