Problem: To design a Montessori-based activity for a person on their journey with dementia.
You are a dementia care navigator working within a long term care home in your community. You have recently received training on the Montessori-Based Approach to Dementia Care. You have been approached by the recreation staff regarding a number of different residents that they struggle to engage in programming. The staff has asked for your guidance.
Your task is to develop a proposal, outlining your plan for creating and facilitating an activity with one (1) resident on a one-on-one basis.
Resident Profiles
Elaine
Elaine is a 75 year old female experiencing mild cognitive impairment. Elaine is relatively new to the long-term care home and has only been with your facility for 6 weeks. Elaine has one daughter and two grandchildren who visit with her once per week. Staff has observed mild anosognosia, where Elaine has some awareness of her condition and knows that she now requires assistance with activities of daily living. Lately, Elaine has displayed impaired judgment and impaired social awareness; She will often enter other residents' rooms and attempt to engage with them even when they do not want the company. For the last two weeks, Elaine has been complaining of boredom and loneliness. Elaine repeatedly states that there is nothing to do, even though staff has attempted to engage her in various activities. Elaine will often refuse larger group activities. Elaine does not require visual or hearing aids and her mobility is good (no physical limitations). Elaine was a former personal chef and her daughter states that Elaine always loved gardening and being outdoors.
Gerard
Gerard is a 69 year old male experiencing mild cognitive impairment. Lately, staff have noticed increased impairments with Gerard's memory and increasing confusion about where he is. Lately, Gerard has been experiencing agitation when around others when he feels that they do not understand him. Gerard experiences some communication difficulties, although conversation prompts can be helpful at times. English is Gerard's second language and he reverts to speaking the French language frequently. Over the past few weeks, staff has observed Gerard wandering in the hallways, however he has a difficult time explaining why or where he wants to go. Gerard has raised his voice at staff when they try to redirect him back to his room. Gerard's interests include watching TV, napping, listening to music, and bird watching during the summer months.
Steps:
Step 1: Carefully review the resident profiles
Step 2: Choose one (1) of the resident profiles from which you feel that a Montessori-based approach to programming might be useful.
Step 3: proposal outlining a creative and suitable activity for your chosen resident. You may organize your proposal as a written report or PowerPoint Presentation (the choice is yours regarding how you wish to share your idea/recommendation).
- Your proposal should include a clear introduction to the activity you are proposing and rationale for creating the activity for the resident.
- Your proposal must include a thorough description of the activity you are proposing (refer to the principles of CAMEO)
- Your proposal must outline how staff should present the activity to the resident (refer to the principles of PICNIC)