Montessori: The Ultimate Person-Centered Approach to Leadership Development, Staff Engagement and Dementia Care
Montessori: The Ultimate Person-Centered Approach to Leadership Development, Staff Engagement and Dementia Care
Recorded on: 01/18/2022
The Montessori Method is based on the core values of respect, dignity, and equality. This enables strong relationships among persons to evolve based on trust. These values are translated into practice through a set of principles such as offering choice, focusing on strengths rather than deficits, etc. These principles are based on rehabilitation techniques and emphasizes viewing dementia as a disability rather than a disease. Applying these principles enables persons with dementia to recover function, learn new skills, and have meaningful roles within a community.
Engaging persons with dementia in meaningful activity, creating a community of such persons who care for each other and are connected to the outside world. This approach is the most effective way of reducing responsive behaviors, and results in substantial reduction in the use of psychotropic medications, hypnotics, etc. In essence, it is a way of living which we call the Montessori Inspired Lifestyle®. Though this method initially was developed as an educational system for children, this approach is beneficial for all persons.
When applied as a management approach to care partners, it provides a positive work environment, increased autonomy, and high levels of employee engagement. These in turn result in reduced staff turnover, increased longevity, and better communication. Thus, the Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® provides a person-centered care approach through all levels of care systems.
Participants who join this webinar will be able to:
- Recognize how a Montessori-based culture affects engagement of both staff and residents
- Understand how applying social scaffolding and a deliberately developmental leadership approach leads to greater staff satisfaction and productivity
- Be able to outline the potential long-term benefits of adopting and sustaining a comprehensive Montessori-based approach within care organizations
Cameron Camp, PhD
Director of Research and Development
Center for Applied Research in Dementia
Cameron Camp, Ph.D., originally developed the use of the Montessori method as an intervention for use with persons with dementia. He is a noted psychologist specializing in applied research in gerontology, and currently serves as Director of Research and Development for the Center for Applied Research in Dementia. Dr. Camp gives workshops on designing cognitive and behavioral interventions for dementia internationally. These interventions are all designed to reduce challenging behaviors and increase the level of functioning and quality of life of persons with dementia. He has co-authored three college textbooks and published over 150 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. Dr. Camp is a Fellow and past-president of Division 20 (Adult Development and Aging) of the American Psychological Association, a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America, and a Charter Member of the Association for Psychological Science. His research has been funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health, and the national Alzheimer’s Association. He is recipient of the American Psychological Association Award for Distinguished Professional Contributions to Applied Research.
Gary Johnson
Leadership Development Consultant
Monarch Pathways
Gary Johnson has 14 years experience as a Vice President of Operations for a large Life Plan Community in central Pennsylvania. Gary also served as President of Capital Area Health Associates, a physician practice specializing in older adult care. Gary has served on numerous boards and presented at regional and national conferences. Gary is a licensed nursing home administrator, has an MSW from Temple University and a BA from Gordon College. He also served as adjunct faculty for Temple University. He is skilled at creating healthy teams, cultures and operational efficiencies. Gary’s passion is improving the relationship that happens between front line staff and their leaders.
