As an individual with dementia loses their ability to orient in terms of time, space and identify, they need to feel safe. Supporting them with kindness, warmth and cues in the environment nourishes the abilities of the individual to the greatest extent possible. With that support, they can continue to live at home for as long as possible in safety, security and warmth. With that support and their sense of safety, the primary caregivers’ lives are similarly eased.
Montessori education adjusts the environment of a child’s school to meet the changing needs of the child to maximize their interaction with their surroundings. The Montessori Alzheimer’s Project, the MAP program, targets opportunities to adjust the environment so as to meet the changing needs of those with dementia. In this way, we can maximize their positive interactions with their surroundings.
Enable the environment to support the individual. It is the opposite of their experience of the stress of confronting and fighting their environment.
The result is increased self-esteem, a level of greater ease each day, and, wonderfully enough, the possibility of joy.