08/24/2026
🌟 Exciting New Dementia Programming at Catholic Memorial Home! 🌟
We are excited to begin rolling out a new Montessori-Based, Person-Centered Approach for residents living on our Certified Dementia Units!
More than 20 staff members recently participated in an interactive, hands-on training focused on the work of Dr. Maria Montessori, skill-based leisure, resident abilities and strengths, dementia clusters, and creating meaningful opportunities for engagement throughout the day.
Our goal is to focus on what each resident can do, build upon lifelong interests and abilities, and create purposeful experiences that promote choice, independence, success, and connection.
Overseeing and supporting our Certified Dementia Units are Sandy Moniz, LPN, CDP; Jennifer Couto, RN, Greshlee Palma, CDP; and many dedicated staff members.
Troy Hixon, Activity Department Director, CDP, CMCDP, along with Anne Cabral, Assistant Administrator and certified trainer in Montessori and dementia programming, are leading the rollout of this new approach.
The photos shared here feature some of our staff creations from a hands-on 45-minute beach-themed programming activity during the training.
Staff experienced firsthand how simple materials, creativity, appropriate cueing, and an understanding of each resident’s abilities can be transformed into meaningful, skill-based leisure opportunities.
This training is only the beginning!
Over the next several months, residents will begin experiencing more of this Montessori-based approach as it becomes incorporated into programming and daily life on our dementia units.
We are excited to watch this approach grow and to continue finding new ways to make every interaction purposeful, personal, and meaningful for the residents we are privileged to serve.
