Our Exclusive Approach to Dementia Care

The Montessori Method of Dementia Care is a person centered approach that focuses on muscle memory and the 5 senses, building on existing skills, interests and abilities.

Our entire staff at WindSong at Eola Hills is specifically trained in the Montessori Method of Dementia Care. In our program, we provide familiar tasks that encourage the residents to be active in the memory care community. Every detail has been selected with the needs of those with memory loss in mind. Life stations are strategically located and focused on careers, hobbies, interests and familiar daily activities. We involve loved ones to learn about the resident’s life story, past daily routines and preferences in order to connect with the person and not the disease. We approach care as a partnership, providing cues when appropriate but encouraging the highest level of independence possible. We work to provide our residents with experiences that mimic those from the past. For instance, for the individual who enjoyed flowers, we might set up a flower arranging activity. Encouraging them through each step and providing cues as needed. This allows the resident to engage socially and it develops an interest in caring for the environment. In the end, the resident is able to feel a sense of pride in their accomplishment that in turn boosts their self-esteem.

Our five levels of care.

Our professional and caring staff believe every resident is complete with deeply rooted memories, wisdom from a lifetime of experiences, and the capacity for joy, love and spirituality. While memory and abilities may fade, we believe each deserves to be honored as a whole individual for life.

Using the Montessori Method of care, our professional staff are able to connect with individuals each day through deeply personal and meaningful interaction. Our services are based on one of the five levels of care according to the medical, functional and psychosocial status of the resident. These levels of care are determined by the Registered Nurse after completing a personal assessment. Because each unique individual’s strengths and needs vary, the personal assessment is only an overview of their condition. The facility RN will work closely with the resident’s family in determining the best care options for the welfare of the resident.

Level One Care

The resident is able to manage much of their own physical care most of the time. He/she may need guidance, reminding and cuing. The resident needs the basic services of three meals per day, housekeeping, laundry and an activity program.

Level Two Care

The resident needs increased guidance. Physical needs require some assistance. There may need to be some modification of diet. The resident may care for self, but he/she needs assistance with bathing and reminders of personal grooming.

Level Three Care

The resident may be unsteady in walking, have incontinence episodes and need more prompting in order to accomplish tasks. The resident regularly needs help with dressing and grooming. There may be behaviors at this level that need staff intervention.

Level Four Care

Considerable assistance may be needed in transferring and ambulating. The resident needs to be regularly toileted or has challenging toileting habits. The resident needs total assistance with bathing, dressing and grooming. Confusion is pronounced; redirection required many times. The resident can feed them self but may need many reminders.

Level Five Care

The resident may not be able to bear their own weight and helps very little with transfers. He/she may need to depend on another for all mobility, all personal and incontinent care. May not be able to eat without one-on-one assistance. Medication management may be complex and may involve injections. Nurse monitoring is needed more frequently.