Engaging people with dementia in meaningful person centered activities is the most effective way to manage behaviors, increase satisfaction and reduce the use of anti-psychotic drugs. Programming for dementia can be challenging on many levels. One of them is the absence of measurable goals. Another is the difficulty gathering feedback from the residents and the […]

The main reason why residents with dementia may have increased levels of agitation and aggression is because they may lead lives that lack purposeful activity. Over the past few years, the concept of “engagement” has emerged as a means of understanding the behavioral pattern often seen in residents with dementia. For that matter, “Engagement” is […]

According to the University of California, Occupational Wellness is the ability to get personal fulfillment from our jobs or our chosen career fields while still maintaining balance in our lives. Our desire to contribute in our careers to make a positive impact on the organizations we work in and to society as a whole leads […]

The latest 2013 Seniors Housing & Care Journal from the National Investment Center highlights interesting findings related to families and their importance in resident care. Based on a six-month randomized trial of 18 residential care/assisted living settings and six nursing homes, the researchers found that family involvement in the care of residents improves resident quality of life as […]

How do we define engagement?It is the act of occupying oneself, to become involved. In senior communities, this is reflected by residents engaging in their activities, dining experiences, therapy and/or with the community at large. With the increased importance of customer focused service and person centered strategies, engagement is becoming an essential component for any […]

Activities and events in the community are often the only opportunities for residents to socialize, get out of their routine and access person-centered experiences. Their participation enhances their skills and talent, helps stay at the highest functional level while helping them better understand their abilities. We also know that it enriches their lives, allays their […]