Directory of Credentialed Organizations

Care communities and other organizations around the world have discovered the benefits of the Montessori Inspired Lifestyle®. Their credentialing journey shows what is possible with a transformative approach that guides care partners and leadership to instill respect, dignity, and equality as a way of life for themselves and their residents. In a one year study of 16 communities that implemented Montessori-Based Dementia Programming, the communities experienced remarkable outcomes, including fewer drugs, healthier and happier residents, fewer responsive behaviors, and better staffing and census. Read about the evidenced-based outcomes here.

 Find an organization near you on the map, or scroll through the directory to learn about these cutting-edge communities and providers.

Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® for Residents

Gold Credentialed Communities

In addition to meeting all Bronze and Silver-level milestones, Gold-level organizations have demonstrated at least one exemplary and innovative achievement in applying Montessori principles. Sometimes called a “Gold project,” this milestone is met by following the lead of the residents, who decide together on an initiative that is important to them, and how they would like to pursue that initiative. Additionally, every Gold-level community must complete a half-day credentialing visit by CARD staff and develop a sustainability plan to ensure all Bronze and Silver milestones remain in place. Read more about the milestones here.

Silver Credentialed Communities

In addition to meeting all Bronze-level milestones, Silver-level organizations have a system in place to learn residents’ unique strengths, interests, and personal histories. Residents in Silver-level communities make decisions about shared spaces, control and maintain elements of the community, and have private spaces that are home-like and personalized. Staff in Silver-level communities use Montessori principles to enable residents to maintain as much independence as possible throughout the day and during daily care tasks. A system has been established to offer ongoing staff education in the Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® as well as orientation training for new hires. Read more about the milestones here.

Bronze Credentialed Communities

Bronze-level organizations have trained staff in all departments on the use of Montessori principles. Residents living in bronze communities have opportunities to volunteer for purposeful roles, participate in resident committees, and choice in dining, activities, and daily schedules.  Bronze communities have environmental features in place that make the community more accessible and engaging for residents, and staff use multidisciplinary learning circles to understand and address responsive behaviors common in dementia. Bronze-level organizations have established credentialed internal trainers to sustain Montessori practices. Read more about the milestones here.

Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® for Employees

Communities that implement Montessori-based programming tend to see outcomes such as healthier and happier residents, fewer drugs, fewer responsive behaviors, and better staffing and census.