“Montessori doesn’t focus on managing behaviors — it shapes the conditions around them.” At first glance, the statement sounds bold—some may even say unrealistic. After all, anyone who works in dementia care knows this reality: there are moments when behaviors must be managed. For safety, dignity, immediacy. So why say this at all? Because this perspective invites…
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…
The following observations are drawn from real-world long-term care operations and reflect why Resident Choice often erodes over time — even in well-run organizations. Why Resident Choice Breaks Down in Long-Term Care Most residences do not reject Resident Choice. They lose it through system pressures, not intent. Operational pressure replaces relational care Tight schedules, staffing shortages, and task lists…
The myth that you need new furniture, renovations, or technology before you can deliver true person-centred care has stalled culture change across the sector—and the delay is costing homes far more than the actual work ever would. Is the “myth” costing LTC millions? Yes — and here’s why. When leaders believe person-centred care or Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® requires: major…
How Dementia-Inclusive Resident Committees Bring Ministry Standards to Life Across long-term care and assisted-living communities, the regulatory message is clear: resident engagement, choice, and inclusion are not optional. Every Ministry standard — from person-centered care to responsive-behavior prevention — points toward one goal: creating environments where people truly live, not just reside. Many homes, eager to demonstrate compliance, focus…
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 Sequencing Difficulties in Dementia: The trouble may be just getting started. -A person with dementia may have trouble carrying out familiar tasks because the brain can no longer process sequences — the ordered steps that make up an activity. Sequencing is what allows someone to know that before making tea, you must first fill the kettle, then boil…
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…
Montessori Dementia Care: Raising Quality, Meeting Standards – Across Canada, long-term care and retirement communities are expected to show more than compassionate intent — they must provide measurable proof of quality, compliance, and improved resident outcomes. Provincial frameworks from coast to coast share the same priorities: dignity, independence, engagement, and reduction of responsive behaviors. Montessori-based dementia care naturally supports these…
In Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® dementia care, activities are valuable opportunities for engagement — not just “crafts” or “distractions.” They’re moments that connect, calm, and build confidence. But roles take that engagement one step further. They give people a sense of purpose, belonging, and identity. The difference is subtle but profound: it’s the difference between doing something meaningful and being someone…
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…
