This is one in a series of posts describing the ten Montessori Principles for dementia care. Click here for the first post in the series
This Montessori dementia care principle says that we should introduce activities, roles and routines that are meaningful to the person with dementia. When choosing memory care activities and roles, it is important to take into account the person's interests, former occupation, hobbies, likes and dislikes to help ensure success. A person who was a carpenter, for example, is much more likely to enjoy an activity involving hammering nails than someone who had rarely held a hammer. A person who was always very good with numbers would be better suited and more successful at being the scorekeeper in a game than would someone who never enjoyed math. You can use a form such as our Interests Checklist to collect the information.
Engaging people with dementia in meaningful activity is a simple concept but is a cornerstone of good dementia care.