Case Study: The Transformation of Evergreen Manor* –
Let’s delve into the transformation of Evergreen Manor, beginning with the background. Evergreen Manor, a mid-sized senior care residence in the Midwest, had been grappling with several challenges, including high staff turnover, frequent incidents of responsive behaviors among residents with dementia, and concerns about its financial sustainability.
The facility operated on a traditional care model that relied heavily on structured schedules but lacked a focus on personalized, meaningful activities or environmental adaptation.
As a result, many residents became disengaged, leading to increased agitation, confusion, and the frequent use of psychotropic medications to manage these behaviors.
Challenge
The management team at Evergreen Manor realized that the current approach was not yielding positive outcomes for residents or the facility’s financial health.
Despite the use of psychotropic medications to manage responsive behaviors, issues like agitation, aggression, and wandering persisted, contributing to a strained work environment for staff and ongoing concerns from families.
The team faced a difficult decision: continue relying on medication and a rigid care model or invest in a new approach that might offer better long-term results.
Solution
After researching various care models, Evergreen Manor’s management decided to implement the adapted Montessori method for their dementia care residents.
This decision required investment in staff training and a degree of reconfiguring the living spaces to be more dementia-friendly. However, the management believed that this approach could potentially reduce the reliance on psychotropic medications while improving overall resident well-being.
The Transformation of Evergreen Manor – Implementation
Staff Training:
Evergreen Manor partnered with a certified Montessori trainer specializing in dementia care. Over several weeks, all staff members received training on the principles of the Montessori method.
The training emphasized creating environments that empower residents, offering choices, and engaging them in meaningful activities.
The staff also received education on how these changes could reduce the need for psychotropic medications by addressing the underlying causes of responsive behaviors.
Environmental Modifications:
The residence made several changes to the physical environment, such as labeling drawers and cupboards with pictures, creating easy-to-navigate pathways, and setting up activity stations where residents could engage in familiar tasks like folding laundry, watering plants or arranging flowers.
These modifications aimed to reduce confusion and anxiety, thereby minimizing the triggers for responsive behaviors that had previously led to the use of psychotropic medications.
Personalized Care Plans:
Each resident’s care plan was revisited to incorporate their personal history, interests, and abilities. Residents were encouraged to participate in daily routines and activities that resonated with their past experiences and preferences.
The staff closely monitored the residents to observe any changes in behavior, with the goal of gradually reducing the use of psychotropic medications as the Montessori method took effect.
Results
Reduction in Psychotropic Medication Use:
Within a few months of implementing the Montessori method, the staff at Evergreen Manor began to notice a significant reduction in the need for psychotropic medications.
As residents became more engaged in meaningful activities and experienced less confusion due to the dementia-friendly environment, the incidence of responsive behaviors decreased significantly – much more than anticipated.
This reduction allowed the staff to taper off the use of psychotropics for many residents, leading to fewer side effects and a more natural, engaged way of living.
Improved Resident Well-Being:
With less reliance on medications, residents at Evergreen Manor showed noticeable improvements in their overall well-being. They became more active, social, and engaged in daily life, contributing to a more positive and vibrant community within the residence.
The reduction in psychotropic use also meant that residents experienced fewer medication-related side effects, such as drowsiness or confusion, which further enhanced their quality of life.
Increased Staff Satisfaction and Engagement:
The decrease in responsive behaviors and the reduced need for interventions led to a more manageable and fulfilling work environment for the staff.
They found their roles less stressful and more rewarding as they were able to connect with residents on a deeper level.
The overall job satisfaction rate among staff increased by approximately 30%, leading to a significant reduction in turnover.
Financial Impact:
Although there was an initial investment in training and environmental changes, the long-term financial benefits became evident within the first year.
The reduction in psychotropic medication use and fewer incidents requiring costly interventions resulted in lower healthcare costs.
Additionally, with improved staff retention and higher occupancy rates due to the facility’s enhanced reputation, Evergreen Manor saw a substantial increase in revenue over a two-year period.
Evergreen Manor’s successful implementation of the Montessori method adapted for the cognitively impaired and the corresponding reduction in psychotropic medication use garnered positive attention from the local community and healthcare professionals.
Families seeking a supportive and non-pharmacological approach to dementia care began choosing Evergreen Manor over other facilities, further contributing to the residence’s financial stability and reputation as a leader in dementia care.
The transformation at Evergreen Manor illustrates how shifting from a different, traditional, medication-reliant care model to the Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® can lead to significant improvements in resident well-being, staff satisfaction, and financial performance.
By focusing on personalized care, reducing the need for psychotropic medications, and creating an environment that fosters independence and dignity, Evergreen Manor not only improved the lives of its residents but also secured a brighter, more sustainable future for the facility.
* Composite Case Study: Evergreen Manor is a composite case study that draws from multiple real-life examples of residences that have successfully implemented the Montessori Method Adapted for the Cognitively Impaired and Montessori Inspired Lifestyle®. While the residence is fictional, the outcomes and experiences described are based on observed results in similar settings.
