Montessori-based activities for seniors

Christian Living Communities recognizes the importance of providing an environment that stimulates our residents’ sensory, motor, cognitive and social skills.  Researchers have discovered that the developmental principles introduced to children by Maria Montessori many years ago are equally successful with seniors in various stages of aging, including those experiencing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.  Our staff has been trained in the Montessori philosophy and technique, and they are dedicated to introducing activities that are focused on productive, enjoyable, and successful interaction.

Background - Maria Montessori, (1870-1952) an Italian physician, is famous for her work with underprivileged, “unteachable” children in Italy. Her goal was to improve their quality of life, using innovative educational activities, based on their abilities. She encouraged meaningful, successful, active participation. The basic Montessori principle is to decide the gift, talent or strength of a senior or group of seniors you want to target through an activity, and then design the activity to enhance the targeted skill.

Benefits - Montessori-based activities

• Tap into the procedural memory system which typically remains intact well into the various stages of aging.
• Can be used with residents in various stages of dementia, however, the basic principles of targeting interests, enhancing skills and developing meaningful activities are appropriate for all residents and Christian Living Communities’ staff is implementing the concepts for all the residents we serve.

Examples - Montessori- based activities instruct the staff to discover the senior’s strengths in order to determine which activities will be successful, taking into consideration their levels of sensory, motor, social and cognitive skills.  Based on the conclusions, the staff will model activities accordingly.

• Activities of Daily Living – Flower arranging, cooking, grocery shopping
• Sensorial Experience – Activities that use matching through scent and sound
• Cognitive Stimulation – Measuring, sorting, making gifts or cards for others
• Motor Activities – Napkin folding, sorting, toy assembly, greeting card making
• Group Activities – Reading roundtable, memory activities, agenda and activity planning

Goals - Montessori-adapted activities for seniors

• Create persons who are as independent as possible, able to make choices and who are treated with respect and dignity.
• Enable older adults to interact positively with their environment and function at the highest level possible.
• Provide meaningful activities and social roles

Montessori-Based Dementia Programming® and Montessori-Based Activities for Persons with Dementia®

Reprinted in part with permission of the Myers Research Institute, www.myersresearch.org.