Leadership Systems, Care Consistency, and the “Invisible Hours”. In every residence, care unfolds across many hours — some when leadership presence is visible and immediate, and others when it is quieter and less direct. This is a normal feature of organizational life, not a shortcoming. Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® does not assume — or require — that leadership be present at…
The following scenario illustrates how two well-intentioned approaches to care can lead to the same visible outcome yet create very different experiences for the resident. Both approaches aim to respect the fact that the resident prefers blue and both aim to complete care efficiently. What differs is how choice is supported in the moment — and whether the resident remains…
Understanding why December feels different allows teams to anticipate needs, reduce distress, and create calmer, more meaningful moments during a month that can be both joyful and overwhelming. Below you’ll find 10 reasons December stands apart — and why caregiving requires a slightly different lens this time of year. December brings a unique rhythm to long-term care — one…
The Experience of Being a “Passive Recipient of Care” – In long-term care and dementia care, the phrase “passive recipient of care” describes someone who receives help rather than actively taking part in their own daily life. It’s a technical term — but for the person, it can feel like being done to instead of being involved. When care becomes something delivered instead of shared, the person’s sense…
Understanding a Resident’s Rhythm – Every individual lives by a personal rhythm — the natural flow of how they move through a day and a life. It’s shaped by decades of habits, preferences, and patterns that create comfort and predictability. For one person, mornings begin with a newspaper and quiet reflection; for another, the day doesn’t truly start until coffee…
3 Pillars of Purposeful Dementia Engagement: A Montessori Approach to Meaningful Care ♦ It’s easy to assume that a busy resident is an engaged resident — but real connection comes from purposeful experiences, not just activity. True engagement isn’t about keeping people occupied; it’s about connecting them to who they are, what they value, and what they’re still capable…
From One Good Idea to Many: The Power of Creative Adaptation in Dementia Care – In dementia care, it’s tempting to look for the perfect solution—the right activity, the right role, the right “thing” that will make a moment easier or a resident more engaged. But in an adapted Montessori approach, we’re reminded that there’s rarely a one-size-fits-all answer. Instead,…
Comfort Without Regression: Rethinking Doll Use in Dementia Care – In some dementia care settings, it’s not unusual to see residents cuddling dolls, or even being guided into changing and feeding them. Some facilities have gone so far as to create “nurseries” filled with cribs and baby dolls. While these scenes may appear comforting at first glance, they stand…
In dementia care, it’s easy to fall into the habit of filling time. We offer activities, we entertain, we redirect. But in Montessori-based care, we do something different — and far more powerful: we create real roles. Not “just for fun.” Not “just to stay busy.” Real roles are ongoing, meaningful, and visible. They mirror the kind of responsibilities…
Serif vs. Sans-Serif Fonts: Why Font Choice Matters in Dementia Care When we communicate with people living with dementia, every detail counts — even the font we choose. The shape of letters, the spacing between words, and the overall clarity of printed materials can impact whether a message is helpful or frustrating. If you’re creating signage, labels, visual cues,…
Should we label a unit or area Cognitive Care or Memory Care? “Cognitive Care”…
Leadership Systems, Care Consistency, and the “Invisible Hours”. In every residence, care unfolds across many…
