Serving Seniors with Excellence, Love and Dignity.
Radiant Care is a faith-based, charitable not-for-profit organization offering a full continuum of seniors housing and care at two sites in the Niagara Region.
Impact of Montessori
Dr. Cameron Camp, a Psychologist and Applied Gerontologist, applied the Montessori method to people living with dementia, focusing on their remaining strengths to enable them to continue to contribute and live meaningful lives.
Montessori emphasizes supporting the person and supporting their environment.
Programs Get Involved
Karen Thompson Daughter of Long-Term Care Resident
Montessori is getting my mom engaged in meaningful activities that take her mind off of her worries. It’s helpful in keeping my mom in a place where she has a purpose, a reason to get up and go!
Celia Petruniak Student
We utilize what residents' interests are and create programs that are authentic and genuine to the residents. We really like to focus on the residents and what they enjoy and care about. It's an authentic and holistic approach to care. We like to get to know our residents and collaborate with different staff.
Eric Piggot Maintenance Worker
A Montessori home is a friendly place for the residents and staff. Since it was implemented at Radiant Care it has improved relationships between staff and residents by engaging them in meaningful activity.
Lillian Bergen & dog Randy Dog Therapy Volunteer
I really find value in seeing the older people interact with Randy. We bring smiles and laughter to the residents! It brings brightness to their lives. When the residents interact with Randy it gives them a sense of love and acceptance.
Shaina Piquette Therapeutic Recreationist
We look at their past, who they are, their values & beliefs and create activities that connect to that. We create activities for people to connect with who they are, what defines them. This way I am able to help residents live to their fullest potential.
Norval Gault Long-Term Care Resident
I like to bake because of the fellowship. It allows me to reach out and help others. That's where my heart is: helping others.
Jackie Wynychuk Wife of Long-Term Care Resident
Montessori engages people in the home, making them feel like they're back home doing activities that are meaningful to them. It gives them a sense of purpose, worth, and accomplishment.
Who Benefits?
The Montessori philosophy focuses on the use of remaining strengths and abilities. This positive approach to dementia care is a source of creativity and comfort for both people with dementia and caregivers alike. There is a person behind the dementia or the behaviours - a person with a rich past, an engaging present, and a hopeful future!
The Person with Dementia
Our focus is always on the person as an individual. We promote independence and offer dignified engagement that is stimulating and purposeful based on each individual’s interests, needs, and skills. Being able to focus on the task at hand and experience success again helps people with memory loss feel more secure and confident, and less angry and frustrated. Living in an environment that enhances function and independence and provides meaningful engagement helps our residents and tenants experience comfort and joy.
Family, Friends and Volunteers
Family and friends are comforted by seeing residents and tenants engaged in activities that give them joy and purpose. Our Montessori approach to dementia care directly affects the quality of life of the person living with dementia by helping them engage in meaningful and purposeful activities and tasks as independently as possible. Montessori uses activities as tools that help create the bridge to reconnect to people who may seem unreachable. Family, friends, and volunteers are encouraged to use the activities, tools, and information available to create positive interactions with their loved ones who have dementia.
Our Organization and Our Staff
Providing our staff with training in DementiAbility Methods™ (formerly called Montessori training) equips them to fulfill our mission of serving seniors with excellence, love, and dignity, and elevates Radiant Care as a leader in care. Staff find their work to be more fulfilling when they are able to effectively engage residents and tenants using Montessori activities, tools, and knowledge, which has a positive impact on resident care. There is evidence that these approaches can re-connect people with their passion!
A Positive Approach to Dementia Care
The Montessori philosophy focuses on the use of remaining strengths and abilities. This positive approach to dementia care is a source of creativity and comfort for both people with dementia and caregivers alike.
