The Montessori Approach for Dementia, Disability and Aging
Montessori for Dementia, Disability and Aging (MDDA) is an innovative, evidence-based model of care that focuses on the individual’s strengths, abilities, needs, and interests. In a sector where financial and human resources are limited, the Montessori approach offers a new way of doing things that preserves independence while boosting self-confidence and self-esteem.
The Montessori approach promotes independence, self-confidence, choice, and purposeful activity, through the recognition of each individual’s potential, needs and interests, as well as the creation of a suitably structured environment.
Key indicators of a well-functioning Montessori MDDA environment:
- extension of time spent living in the family setting
- increase in independence
- increase in staff satisfaction
- increase in family satisfaction
- increase in demand for Montessori-based communities
- reduction in use of psychotropic medications
- reduction in reported incidents
- reduction in complaints from residents and families
- reduction in staff absences
- reduction in agitation
- reduction in falls
In recent years, a special advisory committee has been established at AMI, headed by Anne Kelly—an AMI MDDA trainer who has visited Greece on numerous occasions. For more information, please visit the MDDA website.
AMI offers three levels of MDDA training and certification:
MDDA Workshop:
The MDDA Workshop is an intensive 24-hour training programme on the theory and practice of applying the MDDA approach at home, in care facilities, or in any setting where care is provided to individuals living with mild cognitive impairment, dementia, or any physical or mental disability. Since this is a person-centered approach, it is applied in different care settings, such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, or family homes.
The workshop always concludes with real-life case studies, where participants have the opportunity to apply what they have learned, preparing them to be able to do the same in their work or home environments as soon as the Workshop is over! Seminar attendance (minimum 90%) is required to receive a Certificate of Completion from AMI.
MDDA Practitioner Certification
Individuals who wish to become MDDA Practitioners and have completed the MDDA Workshop, may enrol in this self-study program under the guidance of an MDDA Trainer. The programme includes a written exam, the creation, presentation and approval of original activities and the documentation of how they were used and how effective they were, as well as a personal recommendation from an on-site Supervisor. Programme duration is 6 months.
Training of Trainers
To ensure continuity in the MDDA, AMI has established a Training of Trainers programme, so that current experts can pass on their knowledge to new trainers, who will then be able to offer MDDA training in more locations around the world. This information is available on the MDDA website.
Universal certification for long-term care facilities
Of particular interest is the fact that there is a certification process for long-term care facilities. This is particularly important for the implementation of MDDA, as it offers a complete “paradigm shift,” as described by Anne Kelly. The benefits for health and well-being are maximized when the implementation covers all areas of life. The process is defined in clear steps by AMI.
Click to watch the video of the 1st Certified MDDA senior care facility in Japan – Poppy.
Sources/Documentation
AMI offers free digital resources on how to implement the approach, as well as documentation on the outcomes, here.
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