RESUMEN
Sixteen residents in long-term care with advanced dementia (14 women; average age = 88) showed significantly more constructive engagement (defined as motor or verbal behaviors in response to an activity), less passive engagement (defined as passively observing an activity), and more pleasure while participating in Montessori-based programming than in regularly scheduled activities programming. Principles of Montessori-based programming, along with examples of such programming, are presented. Implications of the study and methods for expanding the use of Montessori-based dementia programming are discussed.
Asunto(s)
Afecto , Enfermedad de Alzheimer/rehabilitación , Atención , Evaluación Geriátrica , Cuidados a Largo Plazo/psicología , Terapia Ocupacional , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Enfermedad de Alzheimer/psicología , Femenino , Procesos de Grupo , Humanos , Masculino , Escala del Estado Mental , Terapia Ocupacional/psicologíaRESUMEN
An intergenerational program bringing together older adults with dementia and preschool children in one-on-one interactions is described. Montessori activities, which have strong ties to physical and occupational therapy, as well as to theories of developmental and cognitive psychology, are used as the context for these interactions. Our experience indicates that older adults with dementia can still serve as effective mentors and teachers to children in an appropriately structured setting.