EP 69 : People With Dementia Can Learn :: Anne Kelly

Nurse, aged care expert, and Director of Montessori Consulting in Australia, Anne Keely has over 40-years’ experience in caring for dementia patients.

“I just happened about 13 years ago to stumble across a Montessori activities workshop that was being delivered by Dr Cameron Camp from the U.S. Halfway through that morning, the penny dropped. I thought, this is the aged care holy grail that I’ve been looking for,” Anne explains. “This is a way that we can honor, respect, and work with our elders, whilst not robbing them of independence and dignity.”

“I use the term dementia tai chi. You have to move with the dementia, flow with the dementia, and that means that they will do it their way and it's not an issue. You just work with it,” Anne says.

“It is just so amazing to see people maintaining independence and maintaining high self-esteem,” Anne states. “Having things to look forward to and things to do where they can contribute. This is really nontraditional dementia care.”

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