We always encourage caregivers to say “yes” as often as possible. And there’s a reason for that… When the Chicks Came to Visit: The surprising power of a thoughtful “yes.” It began with a simple suggestion: “What if we brought baby chicks into the home?” The idea came from a staff member who wasn’t focused on policies or paperwork….
Polypharmacy — the use of multiple medications at the same time, often five or more — is one of the most pressing challenges in dementia care today. For residents living in long-term care or retirement communities, polypharmacy is not unusual. Many have multiple chronic conditions: diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, depression, insomnia. Each condition can add another pill to the daily…
Small Roles, Big Impact: Montessori in Dementia Care – For people living with dementia, purpose doesn’t come from large responsibilities — it comes from small, everyday contributions that matter to their community. In long-term care and retirement residences, these roles may look simple to outsiders, but to the individual, they bring dignity, connection, and belonging. One woman takes pride in…
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…
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…
In the moderate stage of dementia, people often remain aware of what’s happening both around them and within them. They may feel the loss of ability, sense their limitations, and wrestle with the tension between what they once could do and what they now struggle to manage. This awareness brings emotional pain, fear, frustration, and confusion—not just symptoms but…
We always encourage caregivers to say “yes” as often as possible. And there’s a…
Polypharmacy — the use of multiple medications at the same time, often five or…
