The Montessori Alzheimers Project is dedicated to bringing the insights of Montessori principles of education to meet the needs of Alzheimers patients, families and institutions.
The application of Montessori in dementia care is one of the bright spots in meeting the needs of those afflicted with Alzheimers Disease and other types of dementia.
Why is this so? One of the foundation principles of Montessori is to create an environment that meets the needs of the individual. Creating proper cues in the environment is the method.
While originally applied in the context of educating small children, Montessori principles have a wide application. In dealing with dementia, applying these principles enables the one with dementia to experience their environment as more safe, more welcoming and more inclusive. While this doesn’t eliminate the dementia, it does enable those with dementia to navigate their world in a more uplifted and supported way.