As we wrote in The Montessori Alzheimer’s Project, a key Montessori insight is that human beings have a fundamental need to do meaningful work. We are all looking for meaning in our lives, beginning in childhood and continuing throughout our lives. This does not end with a diagnosis of dementia.
An article in the Washington Post about Dementia Cafes in Japan is a society-level, real-world demonstration of the basic principles we identify as keys to care: Standardize, Simplify, Signage and Redirection.
Even the title of the article highlights the power of kindness, patience, and safety: At Japan’s Dementia Cafes, Forgotten Orders Are All Part Of The Service
It is uplifting in so many ways, for participants with dementia, for caregivers, and for caregivers whose loved ones have passed away. While our focus is on applying those principles in the home, to see them in action at a public commercial venue brings tremendous joy.
https://www.washingtonpost.