which acts with a bio-psycho-socio-educational approach, to improve the quality of life of elderly people with memory disorders and those who assist them.
The Mind Gym is not a structure, but a multi-professional itinerant team (*) that offers group meetings in places close to the subjects, previously identified, selected and evaluated, who are already being treated for disorders related to cognitive deterioration or other frailties.
(*) The team is composed of psychiatrists, geriatricians, GPs, family and community nurses, social workers, psychologists, educators.
Activity ideas and examples for the family member or caregiver of people with dementia are everything we do every day. Every daily activity is an activity, from waking up and getting dressed to our routines, to going to sleep. When you meet someone you don't know at a party, one of the first questions asked is "What do you do?" Their answer in many ways defines who they are, to you and to themselves. We are, to a large extent, what we do in society. And so, for people with memory loss, it is important to provide them with activities that are meaningful, that yield something, that they can feel good about when they succeed, and that allow them to be part of a family and community. We should always have a meaningful purpose for any activity provided to a person with memory loss. No one likes to do "drudgery," regardless of how well their memory works.
Montessori education techniques have been shown to work brilliantly for people living with Alzheimer's and other forms of cognitive impairment. The technique requires a person-centered educational approach, which includes the enhancement of independence and practical activities. Professionals and family members are committed to pursuing the goal of exceeding the standards of ordinary care, creating conditions, in the family and community, where people are as independent as possible, encouraged to make their own choices and treated with respect, dignity and equality.
The main objectives aim to prevent and/or contain cognitive decline, hospitalization-related pathology, promote positive aging, activating residual resources, addressing psychological and social distress before it crystallizes into illness, as well as promoting networking and preventing operator burnout. It uses psychology, medicine and professionals who revolve around aging, in an integrated and holistic perspective that assigns the role of protagonist of health to the person and not to the sick body.
The activities represent important opportunities to reactivate the mind, heart and brain of the elderly and those who assist them. In this perspective, the key to the care model is guaranteed first and foremost by respect for the person and the integration of social and health services.
The Montessori Mind Gym educational program
It is inspired by the philosophy of Maria Montessori adapted with the research of Cameron Camp, and is offered to family members, caregivers (formal and informal) andsocial-health workers who assistfragile subjects, in particular with cognitive deterioration, of any age, residing at home or in nursing homes.
It takes place both remotely (asynchronous and synchronous FAD) and in person in the field (in the classroom, at the Retreat Center in Decontra, at home or in the Residences).
It is promoted and conducted by Montessori for Life Italia APS, with the adoption of“The Original Montessori for Dementia Training®” by Cameron Camp.
The Montessori pedagogists of the Association will be the teachers of the training courses, with the aim of facilitating the creation of an environment that encourages the independence and self-esteem of vulnerable people, the strengthening of ties with the community, the promotion of activities adapted to their abilities and individual interests.
