In the model we developed many years ago in Italy, called “Sente-Mente®,” we have observed how fundamental hope is, both for professionals working in nursing homes and for the families of people living with dementia.
After studying Snyder’s work, we chose to integrate specific assessment tools that we administer at the beginning of our programs. With families, we offer a cycle of 13 meetings in which we intentionally cultivate hope, self-efficacy, optimism, and, more broadly, resilience.
Within nursing homes, we focus in particular on the way professionals perceive people with dementia. They are often seen as “already gone,” which prevents caregivers from recognizing that the person is still there. Our work aims to help restore this perspective.
Over the years, this approach has enabled us to collect data and present our findings at scientific conferences.
I am truly pleased to continue reading your newsletter, which I follow with great interest. I have always deeply appreciated your studies on compassion, to the point that I have cited them several times in my own work.
In my book “Dar casa al tempo fragile,” I describe how to design a care unit for people with dementia, the mistakes to avoid, and how to train professionals. Your work has been an essential reference. I also drew on your reflections on compassion in my book “Kindness in Care Relationships.”
Your message means a lot to me, for many reasons. First, thank you for your kind words. Second, dementia has had a lasting impact on my family, and I find your work very meaningful.
I’m sure you’re not surprised, but I completely agree that hope and compassion are essential for high-quality elder care. Now let’s get all our colleagues to see that!!
Dear Professor,
In the model we developed many years ago in Italy, called “Sente-Mente®,” we have observed how fundamental hope is, both for professionals working in nursing homes and for the families of people living with dementia.
After studying Snyder’s work, we chose to integrate specific assessment tools that we administer at the beginning of our programs. With families, we offer a cycle of 13 meetings in which we intentionally cultivate hope, self-efficacy, optimism, and, more broadly, resilience.
Within nursing homes, we focus in particular on the way professionals perceive people with dementia. They are often seen as “already gone,” which prevents caregivers from recognizing that the person is still there. Our work aims to help restore this perspective.
Over the years, this approach has enabled us to collect data and present our findings at scientific conferences.
I am truly pleased to continue reading your newsletter, which I follow with great interest. I have always deeply appreciated your studies on compassion, to the point that I have cited them several times in my own work.
In my book “Dar casa al tempo fragile,” I describe how to design a care unit for people with dementia, the mistakes to avoid, and how to train professionals. Your work has been an essential reference. I also drew on your reflections on compassion in my book “Kindness in Care Relationships.”
Thank you sincerely for the value of your work.
Warm regards,
Letizia Espanoli
Dear Professor Espanoli,
Thank you!!
Your message means a lot to me, for many reasons. First, thank you for your kind words. Second, dementia has had a lasting impact on my family, and I find your work very meaningful.
I’m sure you’re not surprised, but I completely agree that hope and compassion are essential for high-quality elder care. Now let’s get all our colleagues to see that!!
Best,
Steve
Thanks!