Dr. Cameron Camp is the Director of Research & Development at the Center for Applied Research in Dementia, an organization on a mission to improve the quality of life of people living with dementia and other related disorders as well as the lives of their caregivers. With over 30 years of experience in the applied and translational research of gerontology, dementia intervention, and cognitive intervention, Dr. Camp’s work has become internationally renowned for improving the quality of life in patients with dementia and memory disorders. He is the co-holder of two patents and has been appointed as Principle Investigator on several NIH-funded projects. He has served as the President of the Adult Development and Aging division of the American Psychological Association and regularly lectures on the use of Montessori Dementia Interventions around the world, including in Asia, Austrailia, Europe, and North America.
Dr. Camp joins us today to discuss the Montessori approach to dementia. We discuss the fundamental values of the Montessori approach and how he discovered its teaching methods were effective in patients living with dementia. We discuss how the Montessori approach views people with dementia diffferently and how Montessori methods can be used to help reduce repetitve questions, help loved ones recognize other people by name, and lower anxiety for people with dementia. We discuss how Montessori methods approach the ‘exit seeking’ dilemma that is common in people with dementia and how we can create external environments to empower and engage a loved one with dementia. We also discuss how Montessori methods can help you teach your loved one to become more independent, despite their cognitive deficits, and how you can find a Montessori-credentialed memory care facility near you.
“This is about enabling people to live well; to live their life to the fullest, to be as independent as possible – in spite of any deficits in cognition or challenges they might have.” - Dr. Cameron Camp
This week on the Eye on the Caregiver Podcast:
● How Dr. Camp discovered that Montessouri methods were effective for people with dementia
● Viewing people with dementia as a person with a disability instead of a psychiatric illness
● How the Montessori Approach helps people with dementia circumvent their cognitive challenges
● The difference between a medicalized approach to treating people with dementia vs a rehabilitation approach
● Montessori strategies for reducing repetitive questions
● Giving people with dementia meaningful roles
● Understanding that people with dementia can read and learn
● The Montessori approach to the ‘exit seeking’ dilemma
● Using external aids to empower and engage a person with dementia
● Teaching your loved one to be more independent, despite their cognitive challenges
● The Montessori Pledge
● Finding Montessori-credentialed memory care facilities near you
Resources Mentioned:
● YouTube: People with Dementia Can Learn
● YouTube: People with Dementia Can Read
● YouTube: Reducing Repetitive Questions
● The Person-Centered Montessori Ability System
● The Memory Care Quality Checklist
Connect with Dr. Cameron Camp:
● Center for Applied Research in Dementia
● Book: Hiding the Stranger in the Mirror - Use code eotc through April for a 20% discount!
● YouTube Partner Resource: Culture Change Network of Georgia Dementia Education Series
● Center for Applied Research in Dementia on LinkedIn
● Center for Applied Research in Dementia on YouTube
● Center for Applied Research in Dementia on Facebook
● Center for Applied Research in Dementia on Twitter
● Dr. Cameron Camp on LinkedIn
● Dr. Cameron Camp on Instagram
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