Thursday, July 18 & Friday, July 19, 2024 from 8:30am – 4:30pm (2 days)
From Can’t to Can Do! Montessori for Aging and Dementia
with Margaret Jarrell & Mandy Cheskis
Are you a caregiver for someone living with dementia – either at home or in a longterm care setting? Or are you a Montessorian wondering how you can use your unique skill set in a new way?
While Dr. Montessori did not design environments for older adults, over the past thirty years researchers, clinicians, and architects have contributed to a large body of research that has resulted in Montessori for aging and dementia care guidelines. This approach combines Dr. Montessori’s philosophy with person-centered care and dementia care best practices. The Montessori philosophy of care is now being implemented in long-term care communities and individual homes throughout the world. Come discover a powerful approach to dementia care that will totally change your perspective on aging and dementia.
On Day 1, we will…
- Discuss the importance of person-centered care and the value of roles
- Give an overview of Dr. Montessori’s key discoveries of human development and the key components of Montessori education for children
- Discover how the Montessori approach applies to older adults and people living with dementia
- Gain an understanding of how memory works and the different types of dementia
- Discover best practices for dementia care, including communication techniques and environmental design
On Day 2, we will…
- Learn how to develop Montessori-inspired activities and roles for older adults
- Practice introducing activities and roles just as we would in a care setting
- Learn how to conduct personalized assessments of adults
- Practice using our knowledge of elders to design meaningful engagement plans
- Discover how we use our observations to make modifications to better meet the needs of elders
- Discuss the various settings Montessori can be applied in – the home setting; adult day programs; independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing communities; and intergenerational programs
Brush Development’s 12-hour introductory course, given over two days, is the prerequisite for those enrolling in the Montessori Elder Care Practitioner Certification program. Participants are eligible to receive a certificate of participation from both Brush Development and the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI).
Early Bird Rate - $325
$375 after June 15, 2024
Price includes lunch both days, group discounts available
About the Presenter
Margaret Jarrell
MEd, Montessori Guide
Margaret began her journey in Montessori as a child enrolled in Holden Montessori School in Washington, D.C. She fell in love with the Montessori Method and went on to pursue a Masters Degree in Education and her Elementary Montessori certification. Margaret now has over 20 years of experience in the field of Montessori education – as a Lower Elementary Guide, an Elementary Director, an Admissions Director, and now the Director of Greenspring Center for Lifelong Learning.
Margaret is an AMI Certified Practitioner and AMI Certified Trainer in Montessori for Aging and Dementia. With Brush Development Company, Margaret presents workshops, conducts staff trainings, and provides coaching for family members, educators, and healthcare professionals adopting the Montessori philosophy of care for older adults and people living with dementia.
Margaret lives in St. Petersburg, Florida with her family and daughter, a Montessori Elementary student.
About the Presenter
Mandy Cheskis
MS, CCC-SLP
Mandy has a tremendous depth of experience in the field of long-term care, speech-language pathology, and neurocognitive disorders. She is an Association Montessori International Certified Trainer for Montessori for Aging and Dementia and manages a variety of projects for Brush Development Company, including curriculum development, designing training materials, and coaching healthcare professionals who wish to implement Montessori practices to improve the quality of life for elders.
Over a career that has spanned three decades working in skilled nursing facilities, Mandy has been recognized as a Master Clinician in Cognitive Communication Deficits and a Clinical Instructor, Clinical Mentor, and Clinical Implementation Manager for her clinical expertise in the field of speech language pathology. Mandy has been recognized as an Outstanding Educator through the Cornell University Outstanding Educator, Merrill Presidential Scholar Program.
In-Person Workshops
Greenspring Montessori School
Greenspring Montessori School in Baltimore, Maryland has been offering a Montessori education to students for over 60 years. Nestled on a 7-acre property that was originally a dairy farm, students ages 18 months through grade 8 thrive in our newly renovated buildings, state of the art Montessori classrooms, and rich outdoor learning environments. We host in-person workshops in our Training Center classroom.
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