Robin Ely’s business provides daycare for adults with dementia or cognitive decline using Maria Montessori as an inspiration for methods and practice.

Error-free guidance and expectations preserve the dignity of everyone: caregiver, client, and family. Nobody wants to be embarrassed. This is the philosophy of Mind Matters, which has facilities in Groton and Old Saybrook.

Working with adults who have cognitive impairments is a challenge. Staff is in the business of constant assessment as the neurological disease progresses.

Robin explains, “It is so important to know what the client can and cannot do. It is important to know what challenges the client.”

Robin’s background as a nurse informs her practice but she uses a social/educational model rather than a healthcare/medical model.

“If a client says, ‘I want to go home,’ we may use distraction as a technique. ‘Tell me about your home!’ or, ‘If you leave now, you will miss the tea I just made for you.’”

Step one is knowing what the client enjoys doing. Once their interests are identified, activities are created that encourage engagement.

Socialization and working with others reduces their isolation. At the end of the day, isn’t that what we all want?

Routine, structure, consistency and adaptation are cornerstones leading to the quality of the program. Staff is careful to give clients acceptable choices.

An orientation board indicates the date and the time of the year. Knowing the weather and the temperature gives clients and caregivers the opportunity to discuss appropriate clothing.

Dignity is preserved at every opportunity.

“We don’t want them to have attention called to them for an error. Correction is given to them in a quiet way that allows them to preserve their dignity.”

Independent activities are important. Mind Matters wants clients to be able to work by themselves for a while. Getting a client started in an activity allows staff to encourage client independence. Once clients are engaged in what they are doing, staff can ease away and let clients work by themselves for a while.

Fostering independence and resilience is important. Independent activities include music, puzzles of all sorts, painting, art, ring toss and cornhole to name a few.

Music is an amazing way to stimulate recall. Ely, a violinist, plays a number of simple songs to encourage singalongs. Clients who may not remember the names of their children might sing a song on key and belt out all of the words.

Adaptation is key. Finding word searches that are at the right level is important. Jigsaw puzzle pieces must be large enough so that adults with arthritis can manipulate smaller objects with ease.

Ely knows that clients have had their own interesting lives. So the key words to Ely are: “Be kind. Be Gentle. Adapt, adapt, adapt.”

For more information, visit mindmattersct.com.

This interview was adapted from a public-access TV show on Breezeline called “Stories Worth Telling.”