COLCHESTER, ENGLAND / AGILITYPR.NEWS / April 24, 2025 / An Essex Care Home is revolutionising its dementia care with simple household tasks. 

The dementia specialist care home, Crouched Friars Residential Home, is revolutionising its dementia care by implementing Montessori-inspired tasks as part of its activities calendar. 

Montessori is a child-centred educational approach that fosters independence, hands-on learning, and self-paced exploration.

Staff members from Crouched Friars were given the opportunity to enrol in a specialist Montessori for care homes training program. Crouched Friars’ Care Home Manager, Paulina Eagle, jumped at the chance for her team to participate in the training. 

“It was such a wonderful opportunity,” said Paulina. 

“The Montessori method is a well-loved technique for teaching young children, but there are also a lot of benefits for people living with dementia. At Crouched Friars, we are always striving to find new and engaging activities for our residents, and the Montessori training was a no-brainer.”  

Sharon Shrimpton, Activities Co-Ordinator, and Vanessa Brown, Administrator, completed the two-day training course. The course delved into the core philosophy behind Montessori, adapting it for dementia care, with a focus on memory and environmental modifications. Sharon and Vanessa learnt how to create personalised programs and activities for each of the residents, while also equipping themselves with the skills to transform the general care environment to become more Montessori-friendly. 

After completing the training, Sharon and Vanessa wasted no time implementing the activities at Crouched Friars. Residents at the care home have been participating in a range of activities including ironing, folding laundry, folding napkins, laying tables and much more. 

“Introducing Montessori training within the home has been amazing. We have already seen such a change in our residents. Some of the ones who never normally participate in activities have been joining in with various household tasks and really enjoying them,” said Sharon.

“I think that there is a misconception that care home activities are just bingo, watching TV or board games, but there are so many more possibilities than that. Introducing small, daily household tasks into the residents' routines has definitely given our residents a newfound purpose, as well as keeping their minds and bodies busy. They feel useful and needed again. This is something we will definitely be continuing with in the future.” 

Montessori-inspired tasks are just some of the many activities that Crouched Friars offers to its residents to ensure they can continue leading fulfilling lives. 

Crouched Friars is a residential home in Colchester, Essex which supports a small community of 55 residents. It prioritises delivering care that maintains the dignity and individuality of each person while providing both physical and mental stimulation for those with residential and dementia needs.

ENDS

Crouched Friars Residential Home | https://www.crouchedfriars.co.uk/

Crouched Friars, based in Colchester, Essex, provides around-the-clock dementia and residential care. The care home provides high-quality care alongside a range of amenities to ensure that their residents lead a comfortable life. 

They have been rated ‘Good’ by the CQC.

For more information about this release, please contact lizzie@conteur.co.uk or call 01905 670881.