Half Empty or Half Full

Staff members who work in a true Alzheimer's Unit have extensive training related to caring for someone with this disease. One of the most common approaches that are taught is the wellness approach. This approach focuses on someones strengths and capabilities, not their negative behaviors or forgetfulness of actions. If you look at a glass of milk that is filled half way, most people would consider it a half empty glass of milk, where staff who have been trained on the wellness approach look at it as a half full glass of milk. This approach is used throughout the day during programming and even activities of daily living. Take for instance someone who is trying to get dressed, help encourage them to get dressed, do not just take over and dress them.