The Hickman Achieves the Montessori Inspired Lifestyle Bronze Credential

Congratulations to The Hickman for earning the Bronze-level certification as a Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® community. We especially want to recognize the diligent efforts of Stacey Farrell, Crystal Jones, and Shawn Lee. They are committed to learning, practicing, and implementing the philosophies of the Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® in our memory care program at The Hickman.

The Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® program is a philosophy of care that recognizes the person behind dementia, empowering him or her to live as independently as possible. Montessori-credentialed facilities have staff who are more invested in their work, residents who are more engaged, and families who are more satisfied.

At The Hickman, the Montessori approach fits naturally with our Quaker principles of integrity and community. It is truly transforming our Darlington neighborhood! With trained staff support, our memory care residents are contributing their unique strengths and talents to bringing their community closer. From planning events to assuming leadership roles during activities, Darlington residents are enjoying a renewed sense of ownership of their care in a way that values who they are as individuals.

in their unique strengths and talents to bring their community closer. From planning events to assuming leadership roles during activities, Darlington residents are enjoying a renewed sense of ownership of their care in a way that values who they are as individuals to The Hickman for earning the Bronze-level certification as a Montessori Inspired Lifestyle community. We especially want to recognize the diligent efforts of Stacey Farrell, Crystal Jones, and Shawn Lee. They are committed to learning, practicing, and implementing the philosophies of the Montessori Inspired Lifestyle in our memory care program at The Hickman.

12 key principles of the Montessori Inspired Lifestyle®

1. The activity should have a sense of purpose and capture the person’s interest.
2. Always invite the person to participate.
3. Offer choice whenever possible.
4. Talk less. Demonstrate more.
5. Physical skills; focus on what the person can do.
6. Match your speed with the person you are caring for. Slow down!
7. Use visual hints, cues or templates.
8. Give the person something to hold.
9. Go from simple tasks to more complex ones.
10. Break a task down into steps; make it easier to follow.
11. To end, ask: ‘Did you enjoy doing this?’ and ‘Would you like to do this again?’
12. There is no right or wrong. Think engagement.