This is What They Say About Montessori Alzheimer Center
Here are just some of the testimonials we’ve received…
From a Recreation Professional who recently attended our 12-Hour Intensive Certified Training Program with Director Mark Norris:
“Thank you Mark for the Montessori training you provided to our team. I work at an Adult Day Program and the training tools that have come from the training has inspired us as a team to add more member focused Montessori activities for our members.
We now have so many new things in place since your training. Just to name a few, we have relocated Montessori activities where they are more visible and accessible for our members to choose from, we now have a Montessori committee in place, we have added a member of the month award at the day program to showcase the members accomplishments while at the day program and our team has a better understanding of the importance of giving more to our members to do and support them as needed.
I would have to say Talk Less Demonstrate More approach has been the most useful principal for myself.
I would recommend this training to anyone who is looking for a way to approach our older adults and helping them have meaningful days at day programs.”
Katherine Cule
Acting Recreationist, Adult Day and Caregiver Support
This comment was received from a recent participant in our 12-Hour Intensive Certified Training Program:
“… I very much enjoyed the program and do feel that so many others would benefit from this training.”
Gisele Mackay RPN BSO Lead
The Ontario Finnish Resthome
“I have gained valuable insights on enhancing the quality of life for individuals with dementia through this conference. I am currently implementing these newfound strategies in my workplace, and I’ve already noticed improvements in my interactions with the residents. I sincerely hope that you will continue organizing similar conferences in the future. Keep up the excellent work!”
Heidee Lou Marquez, Activation Coordinator
Highview Residences London
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 reduced and that can be attributed, in part, to her increased self esteem.
“Mrs. M doesn’t really like partial toilets, bases and baths, she gets agitated during hygiene care, she can scratch, hit, bite, scream….
Now I identify myself, explain what I’m going to do, give her a washcloth and sing softly during her hygiene routine. I guide her to her face with my hand. Most of the time, she goes to clean her face and seems happy to do it – she can do it several times. For the moment, she doesn’t want to help with the rest of her body! Of course, we choose the best possible time of day to wash her, she’s still agitated and aggressive, but there’s been a change… It’s easier when she has her washcloth… I’ve noticed that there’s less aggression with me than with other employees.
Have a great day! I look forward to working with you again!”
Mélissa Bombardier, Inf. Aux, UP at Manoir le Beau Rivage
“I had the great privilege to attend a training given by Mr. Marc Norris on the Montessori method applied to the accompaniment of people suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s.
What a revelation it was for me, as well as a great relief, to learn how the philosophy of Maria Montessori could be applied to the care of these people, despite their degenerative cognitive conditions.
The fact that they can have the chance to choose and decide for themselves how they live and what they do, despite their impairments and declining condition, has given me hope for the quality of life of these people, the maintenance of their dignity and respect for them, until the end of their lives.
I believe that anyone who is called upon to intervene or provide care to these people, e.g. caregivers, personal care attendants, nurses, auxiliaries, therapists, doctors, etc., would benefit from taking this training. I would even say that it should be an integral part of the curricula of health professionals.”
Gioia Sallustio
“On November 25 and 26, my team at Domaine Saint-Dominique received training from Mr. Marc Norris in the Montessori method adapted for people with Alzheimer’s disease or cognitive disorders. As the General Manager of an establishment with an advanced dementia unit and having a number of residents with cognitive disorders of all levels, we jumped at the chance to participate in this training.
It was such a beneficial two days for all our staff. A dynamic presentation by Mr. Norris, concrete examples related to our reality, and the importance of considering this clientele as it deserves, that is to say, people with a life history that must be known, and this in order to adapt the methods necessary to involve them and allow them to optimize their development.
Following this training, the Domaine Saint-Dominique has set up a “Montessori Method” committee and will rigorously apply all the notions related to this marvelous method as of 2022.
The Domaine Saint-Dominique management strongly recommends this training to any establishment with a clientele that could benefit from this method. Our establishment will continue to grow following the implementation of these new concepts. Thank you Mr. Norris.”
Luc Lavigne, Director General
Domaine Saint-Dominique
“This training really went beyond my expectations. The adapted Montessori method is much more than a set of techniques and activities that can be easily integrated into the daily life of our residents.
It is a wind of change in the vision, understanding and support of people with Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive disorders.
It is being able to see the person as a whole and not defining them by their illness. It is to learn to look at life through their eyes, to enter into their reality and to be in symbiosis with them.
It is to make possible what may seem impossible at times. It is to depart from a certain normative card to make room for creativity and collaboration.
By applying this method, I sincerely believe that we can improve the daily life of all (residents, families, caregivers and employees) but especially to make it more human! I really appreciate this training!”
Mme. Catherine Duhamel, Quality Continuous Improvement and Compliance Manager, Domaine Saint-Dominique
“The case studies and the videos were really appreciated. The sharing of experiences with the other people registered in the course is really interesting.
I wish that the people who work in the field had more cases to tell.
The training has given me a lot: the understanding of the disease, the way to intervene more adequately, the importance of putting oneself in their reality, the importance of doing actions that respect the acquired skills and the maintenance of the autonomy that remains.”
Caregiver
“I first found out about the Montessori Method adapted to people with Alzheimer’s and other cognitive impairments in April 2021. I was immediately attracted by the humanity of the method – people centered – and I have decided to follow the intensive 12 hours training proposed by the Montessori Alzheimer Society. During this training I acquired a lot of information I can now apply in my everyday professional life.
I was surprised to see how easy and fast the techniques and activities can be applied. I am delighted to be able to respect the principles the Montessori Method proposes for daily activities, among which: ask the person what her interests are, give the residents a choice to do what they like.
Applying the Montessori Method in our daily life with the residents improved both the life of the residents, but also the daily life of the employees. A lot of the reactive behaviors can be approached and modified by giving the residents the opportunity to make choices for themselves and to actively participate in their wellbeing.”
G.R. Operations Director
Learn more about our training programs for caregivers and practitioners, here.
