Montessori for Elder and Dementia Care

Jennifer Brush, MA, CCC-SLP, is the Director of Brush Development, USA and the Program Director, Montessori Education for Dementia, St. Nicholas Montessori College, Dun Laoghaire, Ireland. Jennifer serves on the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Advisory Board for Montessori for Aging and Dementia, and she is the only AMI Certified Trainer of Trainers for Montessori for Aging and Dementia in the US. Jennifer is the co-author of several nationally recognized books on dementia. Understanding the particular needs of healthcare organizations and families engaged in dementia care she brings more than 20 years of experience as both a leading researcher and direct-care coach in this complex field. She is a nationally recognized speech-language pathologist known for her work in the areas of memory and environmental interventions for people with dementia. She has served as the principal investigator on applied research grants that examined issues pertaining to HIV/AIDS dementia, hearing impairment, dining, swallowing disorders, and the long-term care environment. Ms. Brush has served as Chair of the Professional Development Committee of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association Gerontology Special Interest Division and on the Editorial Review Board of SpeechPathology.com. Margaret C. Jarrell, M.Ed., is a certified Practitioner and Certified Auxiliary Educator in Montessori for Aging and Dementia through AMI. She works on a variety of projects for Brush Development, including teaching and training, coaching, and curriculum writing. Margaret earned her B.A. in Developmental Psychology from Duke University and her M.Ed. degree from Marymount University. Here Elementary Montessori teaching credential is from the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies, and she was a Lower Elementary Montessori classroom teacher for 12 years before moving into administration and consulting. As both a Montessori student and now a Montessori parent, Margaret has seen firsthand how Dr. Montessori’s philosophy and methods nurture and support people’s natural love of learning, desire for independence, innate drive to do meaningful work, and need to serve with purpose as a member of a community. Contributing AuthorsNatalie Douglas, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Central Michigan University. She completed her B.S. and M.A. degrees at Ohio University. After a decade of clinical practice as a speech-language pathologist in hospital and long-term care environments, she completed her Ph.D. at the University of South Florida. Her research aims to advance best, person-centered practices in communication and quality-of-life interventions for people with dementia, aphasia, and other acquired communication disorders in adults. She also works to empower local healthcare teams to support quality improvement initiatives and person-centered care through applying principles of implementation science. Rev. Katie Norris, M.Div., is a brain health coach and owner of Recourse Health and Fitness Coaching. She is also the co-founder of the Carolyn L. Farrell Foundation of Brain Health. Her community ministry is devoted to helping people optimize their brain and body so they can live life to the best of their ability, with meaning and purpose. Rev. Katie has worked tirelessly for years to raise awareness and end stigmas associated with brain health issues, through community outreach and public speaking. Rev. Katie attended Montessori school through eighth grade and is the mother of a Montessori child. She was the first person in the United States to earn the AMI Practitioner Certificate in Montessori for Dementia and Aging. Together with Jennifer Brush, she is the co-author of Creative Connections in Dementia Care: Engaging Activities to Enhance Communication (Health Professions Press, 2015).

“A must-read for individual practitioners and organizations involved in elder care. The book’s real strength lies in its ability to seamlessly integrate Montessori principles in elder care, creating ‘meaningful engagements’ that prioritize independence, dignity, and a sense of purpose.” - Nicholas Breakwell, Ph.D., CEO, St. Nicholas Montessori Society of Ireland “A groundbreaking resource that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the well-being of those living with dementia and the individuals dedicated to their care. It effortlessly weaves together research-backed theories with real-world applications, creating a comprehensive guide that is both accessible and transformative.” - Addie M. Abushousheh, Ph.D., EDAC, Assoc AIA Organizational and Environmental Gerontologist, Research Associate, The Center for Health Design “Suitable for a wide audience, from family caregivers to healthcare professionals… This book stands out as an indispensable resource for anyone touched by the realities of dementia. With a perfect blend of empathy, expertise, and practical advice, it provides a comprehensive guide that is both informative and deeply compassionate.” - Lynne Giacobbe, CEO, Kendal at Home (Westlake, Ohio) “This comprehensive guide includes straightforward instructions for incorporating the Montessori philosophy into everyday activities and roles, along with items needed, practical how-to instructions, and beautiful images to aid learning and application. Forms for individual assessment and implementation and suggestions for modifying activities to be simpler or more complex are included. This resource from expert authors provides a trusted tool to competently and confidently implement the Montessori philosophy to facilitate older adults’ meaningful engagement within their community.” - Susan Almon-Matangos, M.S., CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist, subject matter expert, and writer “This book is both highly readable and exceptionally practical.” - Margaret Calkins, Ph.D., EDAC, FGSA, Senior Researcher and Board Chair, IDEAS Institute

• About the Author and ContributorsSection 1: IntroductionPerson-Centered Best Practices The Importance of Meaningful Engagement Key Components of a Montessori Community for Aging Section 2: Meaningful EngagementReclaiming Previous Roles Individual Assessments and Meaningful Engagement Plans Practicing Observation Human Tendencies Getting Started with Roles and Activities Making Your Own Montessori-Inspired Materials Memory Books Section 3: The Prepared EnvironmentPreparing the Environment Visual Cues Name Tags and Room Signage Preparing the Environment to Meet Elders’ Needs Section 4: Working as a TeamCreating an Interdisciplinary Team Developing an Action Plan Operationalizing New Practices Sample Text for Montessori-Friendly Policies Incorporating New Practices into Job Descriptions Changing the Culture Leadership Responsibilities for Implementing Montessori Engaging Staff Stages of Change Case Study: A Welcoming Sensory Have Section 5: Intergenerational ProgramsBenefits of Designing for Shared Learning Experiences Elements of Intergenerational Programming Organizational Planning Preparing the Physical Environment Session Structure at a School or Care Community Activity Materials Specific Considerations for the Senior Environment Specific Considerations for the School Environment Documents Needed Section 6: Activity IdeasCase Study: “The Joy of Doing” Activity Box for Adults Button Sorting Cleaning Shoes Coffee Grinding Dressing Frames (Example: Button Frame) Embroidery Flower Arranging Lacing Cards Leaf Polishing Locks and Keys Metal Insets Mystery Bag Nomenclature Cards Nuts and Bolts Orange Squeezing Plant Care Polishing Household Items Pouring Beans Pouring Juice for Others Reading Scent Jars Setting the Table Shell Matching Sound Cylinders Spooning Strawberry Slicing Sweeping the Carpet Sweeping the Table Crumbs Transferring with Tongs Using a Screwdriver Incorporating Montessori Principles into All Areas Personal Care–Bathing Care of the Environment–Making the Bed Acknowledgments