Montessori Across the Lifespan: Aging, Dementia, and Intergenerational Connection
with Melissa Crenshaw & Margaret Jarrell
Montessori Across the Lifespan: Aging, Dementia, and Intergenerational Connection
The world’s population is shifting in unprecedented ways. For the first time in history, there are more people over the age of 64 than children under five. Today, more than 55 million people worldwide are living with dementia—a number projected to nearly double every 20 years, reaching 78 million by 2030 and 139 million by 2050. At the same time, healthcare and long-term care systems are under increasing strain, challenged by issues of access, affordability, and workforce shortages.
In this session, we will explore how the Montessori for Dementia, Disability, and Aging movement is transforming elder care. Using the Human Tendencies as a guiding framework, we will examine how to meet the needs of older adults and individuals living with dementia through thoughtfully prepared environments, hands-on activities, meaningful engagement, grace and courtesy, and careful observation.
We will then turn to the design of intergenerational programs that honor the needs of individuals across two distinct planes of development. Topics will include planning considerations, preparing the environment, structuring sessions, selecting appropriate materials and activities, and using observation to guide adaptation and growth. Participants will learn how to move beyond surface-level interactions to cultivate reciprocal, relationship-centered experiences—where both children and older adults are valued as active, capable contributors.
Whether we are discussing elder and dementia care or the design of intergenerational programs, the question at the heart remains the same: How can we create experiences that truly foster connection, exploration, and meaningful engagement?
Melissa Crenshaw, M.Ed.
Melissa Crenshaw, M.Ed. and Founder of Community Casa Care Partner Services, began her Montessori career over 20 years ago assisting at an AMI Montessori school while attending Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. She graduated with a BFA in 2002 and immediately pursued the AMI Assistants to Infancy Training with Dr. Montanaro at the Montessori Institute of San Diego. She is a graduate of the Masters in Montessori Integrative Learning Program with TIES and is a certified Montessori Elder Care Practitioner.
Melissa has experience as a toddler guide, nanny, an Adult Infant class facilitator, a homeschool teacher, farmer, primary assistant, Admissions Coordinator, Program Manager and Program Director for the Montessori Institute of North Texas. She likes to nurture and support growing things and has always found Dr. Montessori’s work to be the best guide for life. After pursuing the Montessori for Elder Care Practitioner's Course through Brush Development, she began serving elders and people living with dementia. Melissa has created a Community Casa program in collaboration with the Montessori Institute of North Texas. She believes in the potential for Montessori to serve and guide us at all stages of life and brings this perspective to her work.
Margaret Jarrell, M.Ed.
Margaret Jarrell, M.Ed. and Certified Montessori Guide, is a Montessori teacher and consultant with over 20 years of experience working with students, families, and educators. Margaret started her educational journey as a Montessori student. After earning a BA in Developmental Psychology from Duke University and a Masters in Education from Marymount University, Margaret was drawn back to the teachings of Dr. Montessori. She earned her Montessori teaching credential from the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies and was a Lower Elementary Montessori classroom teacher for over a decade. Since leaving the classroom, Margaret has built a deep and diverse skill set, including admissions, marketing, curriculum development, teacher coaching, student support, re-accreditation, and more. Margaret now serves as the Director for the Greenspring Center for Lifelong Learning, a nonprofit organization that supports and elevates the critical work of Montessori teachers, leaders, and schools. Margaret is also an AMI Trainer for Montessori for Aging and Dementia, who consults, trains, and coaches care partners and healthcare professionals who wish to implement Montessori practices in order to improve the quality of life for elders and people living with dementia.