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Montessori Inspired Memory Care Program

By Christine Hall

As Franke Tobey Jones continues to offer innovative care, one of our newest and most unique offerings is our Montessori  Memory Care Program.  This was launched last fall and the results have been very encouraging.

Montessori for memory loss is proving to be extremely effective. While Montessori is most often associated with learning for children, Montessori for dementia has been shown to be extremely effective in allowing the person with dementia to reconnect to a world they are losing access to. Through sensory experiences and hands-on programming, those who have dementia are better able to reconnect with pleasant events and memories of the past and experience the positive emotions of remembered events.

People with Memory Loss Are Still Able To Enjoy Doing The Things They Used To Do 

While cognitive abilities decline as the disease of dementia progresses, muscle memory frequently remains. Being able to engage in a familiar motion without having to “think about it” allows someone with dementia to engage in their environment more fully. Those with dementia are still able to enjoy doing the things they used to do, modified to their current abilities.

Engaging Residents With A Sense of Purpose

Through our Montessori memory care program, Franke Tobey Jones is engaging residents with sensory programming and a sense of purpose. 

• Sensory Programming
  Noticing the changing needs and abilities of the residents in Memory Care, the FTJ Life Enrichment team is adapting activity programing to meet the needs of residents. We have introduced Montessori and sensory programs that are designed to support Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) via fun and engaging hands-on games and activities.

• Sense of Purpose
  Additionally, we have increased programs that engage residents in traditional skills, such as cooking, baking, gardening, household chores, sports, and games. The purpose of these changes is to give residents an opportunity to fully engage in programs and groups with all their senses, trigger positive memories, and bring back a sense of purpose in each resident’s life.

Making Pizza

Residents are engaged  and having fun with the experience of topping their own personal fruit pizza which they will also enjoy as their afternoon snack!

Floral Arranging

Residents are delighted to arrange colorful flowers which will be used as centerpieces on their dining tables.

Making Clay Gnomes

Residents are having fun making clay gnomes.

“Montessori activities are a better experience for those with dementia,” says Heidi White, FTJ Director of Life Enrichment. As the disease progresses and the ability to understand and process words disappears, it becomes even more important to connect and interact with residents in ways that they can still understand. Physical engagement and hands on programs allow residents to use the skills they still have. Showing residents what to do, modeling the action and in some cases helping them to perform a physical task allows them  to be successful and more fully participate in programs that increase their quality of life.”

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the Montessori activities for dementia at our  memory care community in Tacoma, please contact Heidi White at 253-756-6284 or hwhite@franketobeyjones.com.