Aging & Mental Health · Sep 3, 2025

Preliminary results of a 6-month study examining the effects of Montessori-based care on resident independence, responsive behaviours, and caregiver distress levels in nursing homes

By Bourgeois C, Bayard S, Vitou V et al.

OBJECTIVES: To examine six-month effects of Montessori training on behaviours, independence, and caregiver distress in Memory Care Units. METHOD: Data were collected at baseline and 6 months post-training from 262 residents across 31 nursing homes. Measures included the Barthel Index, AGGIR grid, and Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). In parallel, 125 caregivers from 25 of these nursing homes completed a Montessori implementation grid. Repeated measure ANOVAs and Fisher's tests assessed training effects, and correlational tests assessed outcomes as associated with degree of Montessori implementation. RESULTS: NPI severity (F = 4.66, p = 0.03, η² = 0.02) and caregiver distress (F = 14.4, p < 0.001, η² = 0.05) significantly reduced with small-to-moderate effect size. Independence declined overall, though 52% of residents remained stable or improved on AGGIR scores. CONCLUSION: These preliminary findings suggest potential benefits of Montessori training, but the design limits causal inference and highlights the need for controlled studies.

doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2025.2553323PubMed 40899971Interventions