Behavioral Health of Dementia Patients in Long-term Care: Evaluation of a Montessori-based Program

Research regarding Montessori-based programs (MBPs) and persons with dementia is predominant with early-to-moderate stage dementia. Because of logistical reasons, a dearth of studies exists regarding said activities with late-stage dementia. The purpose of this study was to redress this gap by evaluating an MBP with long-term care facility residents in late-stage dementia using behavioral and social outcomes. Using a one-group interrupted time series design, staff at a long-term care facility in southern United States completed observation-based measures with 47 residents at three intervals over a 6-month period, including baseline. Residents met late-stage criteria via medical diagnosis and facility-based level of care. Empirical measures assessed problem behaviors, social engagement, and capacity for activities of daily living (ADLs). Paired-samples t-tests determined longitudinal change. The typical, sample resident was a married female in her mid-80s, diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. The overall longitudinal result for each behavioral and social measure was as follows: problem behaviors diminished though not significantly (t = 0.849, p = .403); social engagement dropped significantly (t = 2.197, p< .05); and capacities for ADLs decreased significantly (t = 2.948, p< .01). Late-stage dementia patients are often deemed by the general population as too sick for meaningful life, however, social work ethics compels practitioners to consider and enhance the dignity and worth of all lives, regardless of illness or stage of such. Though results were mixed, the lowering of problem behaviors shows enough promise to consider continuation and future research of MBP.