Special feature: Montessori-based activities for long-term care residents with dementia

Activities programming in long-term care can be an extension of geriatric r ehabilitation if activities use rehabilitation principles. Twenty-five resi dents of a dementia unit participated in a study comparing effects of Monte ssori-based activities to regular activities programming. Montessori progra mming uses rehabilitation principles such as task breakdown, guided repetit ion, and progressing from simple to complex. It also utilizes principles of dementia interventions such as external cue usage and reliance on implicit memory. Montessori programming elicited more constructive engagement and p leasure and less passive engagement and negative affect than other programm ing. The implications for collaboration among rehabilitation, recreational, and nursing staff are discussed.