Understanding the Four Types of Dementia Care Settings – When it comes to caring for individuals with dementia, the environment in which they receive care plays a critical role in their overall well-being. Dr. Cameron Camp, a leading expert in dementia care, has described four distinct types of care settings: prison, hospital, hotel and home. Each of these settings has…
Cognitive Ramps – Seeing Dementia as a Disability, Not Just a Disease: When someone uses a wheelchair, we don’t expect them to “overcome” stairs. We build a ramp. Yet when someone lives with dementia, too often the burden is placed on the person to compensate for memory loss, confusion, or language difficulties. What if we treated dementia the same…
Beyond Child’s Play: The Philosophy Behind Meaningful Engagement in Dementia Care – In dementia care, especially within long-term care settings, the line between “keeping people busy” and truly honoring their personhood can become blurred. Well-meaning staff may reach for activities that seem familiar or easy to implement—such as arts and crafts, sing-alongs, or even BINGO—but without careful reflection, these…
As the needs of people living with dementia grow more complex, long-term care homes and memory support communities continue to search for methods that go beyond routine care and compliance. A new systematic review confirms broad benefits in residential aged care and compelling evidence that Montessori-based programs can deliver. The goal? Engaged residents Empowered staff Dignified, person-directed support. A…
Why LTC and Home Care Providers Should be Adopting Montessori Principles—and Why They Haven’t Despite the well-documented benefits of adopting Montessori principles in dementia care, many long-term care (LTC) and home care providers have not integrated them into their practices. This is puzzling, as the approach aligns with person-centered care, improves resident well-being, and enhances caregiver satisfaction. So why…
Addressing Pain Points and Exploring Solutions : Staff, Rules & Money The biggest pain points for management and executives of Long-Term Care (LTC) residences typically revolve around the following key areas: staff, rules and money: Staffing Shortages & Retention High turnover rates among caregivers and nurses lead to constant rehiring and training costs. Burnout & stress among staff due to…
Seeing is remembering. You can unlock the magic of visual cues. In the world of Montessori for dementia, visual cues, or “signs,” are much more than simple labels. We say ‘the magic of visual cues’ because they are powerful tools that tap into the unique ways the brain processes and retains information, especially when facing cognitive challenges. But why…
Long-term care homes and community organizations have a wonderful opportunity to foster collaboration, purpose, and inclusion by creating dementia-friendly committees. This initiative not only enhances the lives of residents with dementia but also builds stronger bonds among staff and non-dementia residents. Here’s how you can create a committee that welcomes and incorporates everyone meaningfully. Step 1: Establish the Purpose…
The Future of Person-Centered Care: Move Beyond Basic Needs to Meaningful Engagement in Long-Term Care – In long-term care (LTC) settings, meeting residents’ daily needs—such as nutrition, hygiene, and medication—has long been the focus. However, as our understanding of holistic care evolves, it becomes clear that these basic needs are only part of the equation. To truly improve the…
This article from Dr. Cameron J. Camp, Ph.D. talks about how to embrace the future of memory care – residents’ committees. Baby boomers, either looking for a place for their parents or for themselves, will be making new demands on the senior care industry, especially in memory care. Hearkening back to their days of wearing t-shirts saying “Question Authority,”…
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…
