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American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias logoLink to American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias
. 2007 Feb-Mar;22(1):27–36. doi: 10.1177/1533317506297895

Resident-Assisted Montessori Programming (RAMP™): Use of a Small Group Reading Activity Run by Persons With Dementia in Adult Day Health Care and Long-Term Care Settings

Michael J Skrajner 1, Cameron J Camp 2
PMCID: PMC10697202  PMID: 17533999

Abstract

Six persons in the early to middle stages of dementia (“leaders”) were trained in Resident-Assisted Montessori Programming (RAMP™) to lead a reading activity for 22 persons with more advanced dementia (“participants”) in an adult day health center (ADHC) and a special care unit (SCU) in a skilled nursing facility. Researchers assessed the leaders’ abilities to learn and follow the procedures of leading a group, as well as their satisfaction with their roles. In addition, participants’ engagement and affect were measured, both during standard activities programming and during client-led activities. Results of this study suggest that persons with dementia can indeed successfully lead small group activities, if several important prerequisites are met. Furthermore, the engagement and affect of participants was more positive in client-led activities than in standard activities programming.

Keywords: early stage dementia, social roles, engagement, procedural memory

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Contributor Information

Michael J. Skrajner, Myers Research Institute of the Menorah Park Center for Senior Living, 27100 Cedar Road, Beachwood, Ohio.

Cameron J. Camp, Myers Research Institute of the Menorah Park Center for Senior Living, 27100 Cedar Road, Beachwood, Ohio, ccamp@myersri.com .

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