Montessori and Alzheimer's: A partnership that works

Abstract

Maria Montessori was a precursor of the human rights for children movement. From her work in medicine, psychiatry, hygiene, pedagogy, and anthropology she devised teaching methods that can be used at both ends of the age spectrum. Her philosophy is inherently respectful of the individual; her terminology sheds a positive and analytical perspective on Alzheimer behaviors. Montessori claimed that play was the child's work. For the Alzheimer patient, work has become play. When skills used in former roles are performed, however slowly and imperfectly the person with Alzheimer's is riveted and reassured Activities that merely resemble useful work increase concentration. Sweeping, washing, andkitchen tasks stirmuscle memory andsense ofworth. This paper will review Montessori principles andpractices and suggest many applications to cognitively-impaired elders. While some suggestions are more easily carried out when patients are getting daily care at home, others may be incorporated into adult day care and institutional programs