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Montessori Benefits

 

  • Reduces anxiety

  • Reduces repetitive questioning

  • Reduces constant request for attention

  • Increases self esteem

  • A sense of accomplishment & contribution

  • Reduces depression

  • Eliminates boredom

  • Increases motor skills

  • Stimulates all senses

  • Increase in socialization

  • Increase in family interaction

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Holistic Approach

Clocks and calendars should be displayed so that the patient can see the time, day of the week, month and year. This may help reduce their anxiety over time.

Brightly coloured photos, pictures, murals, entice patients to look around and talk about what they see. Doors should be hidden from wandering patients by placing murals on them of flowers, closets or bookcases.

Shadow boxes, the larger the better should be filled with the personal belongings of the patient's choice for familiarity and to mark their room and space.

Caregivers are often not trained properly or do not really understand how to interact with Alzheimer's patients. As a result many Alzheimer's patients have little interaction which only increases their isolation, elevates chances of depression and induces them to withdraw.  It can be difficult to look past the behaviours, the inattention, the unusual noises, the outbursts or the vacant staring, to see that there is still a person with a soul in that body. The person is just lost in their own world. Often, it takes only a little interest to help rouse them. Too many people in institutions are left to sit in front of a television, in wheelchairs lining hallways, or in bed all hours of the day.

 

 

Many caregivers who don't understand the Alzheimer's patient will argue with them if they say something incorrect and laugh at their behaviour. This is not effective communication. They talk in child-like, high-pitched, condescending voices viewing the person as incapable of understanding them. Alot of inappropriate behaviour by caregivers is due to their discomfort with the patient and how to communicate with them.

When applied to medicine and specifically Alzheimer's this means that rather than just looking at the decaying brain it must be treated as a part of the whole body. By considering the body, mind and spirit as one system, then if there is difficulty in one area it will affect another. The same idea can be applied in reverse. If there is a positive occurrence in one area then it will have an uplifting effect on the other parts of the system.

 

 

References:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holism

 

Philosophical and Psychological Foundations of Education.  Philosophical Insights from Maria Montessori. Retrieved on August 14, 2014 http://www.uky.edu/~eushe2/quotations/montessori.html

Holism is the "tendency in nature to form wholes that are greater than the sum of the parts through creative evolution".   ~ Jan Smuts, 1926

“We cannot create observers by saying "observe," but by giving them the power and the means for this observation and these means are procured through education of the senses.” ~ Maria Montessori

Holistic teaching and learning can be an effective method of improving the life of the Alzheimer's patient. Each person brings with them a set of experiences that has shaped the person they are today and affects how they learn. These experiences include a vast number of components. A few are culture, religion, poverty, wealth, hunger, relationships, and violence. The derogatory term "baggage"  is often attributed to many of these uncontrollable factors. In holistic teaching it is important to consider all these characteristics as a part of the whole person. 

 

Although a group of patients may be participating in the same activity it can be individualized.  This could be as simple as providing puzzles with different pictures. Cats, flowers, trains, may all appeal to different people. Holistic learning is self-directed. Patients should be encouraged to participate and allowed the freedom to modify the activity to suit their desires. This may be as basic as when playing a card game the rules do not need to be adhered to. The patient may not be able to understand the rules anymore but may like playing cards. 

To ensure maximum attention, it is essential that the environment be calm, well organized, safe, friendly, engaging, easily maneuvered and lit appropriately. Outdoor space with a garden and seating should be made accessible.

Participating in activities from their youth often help unlock memories that have been pushed way back.

Soft music played in the background can be soothing and be a conversation opener.

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