Families navigating a dementia diagnosis face countless questions: How do we provide the proper care? What can we expect as the disease progresses? Who can we trust to care for our loved one with skill and compassion?
At The Kensington Sierra Madre, the answers begin with education and continue with action.
That’s why we’ve adopted Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care® (PAC) and proudly serve as a PAC-certified community.
This certification reflects not only our dedication to dementia education but our deeper promise: to love and care for your family as we do our own.
Who Is Teepa Snow?
Teepa Snow is a nationally recognized dementia care educator and occupational therapist with over four decades of experience. Her groundbreaking work in neurodegenerative disease care has transformed how communities like ours approach dementia, focusing on connection, communication, and compassion rather than correction.
Her Positive Approach to Care® model goes beyond routines and medications. It encourages care partners to “meet people where they are”, honoring remaining abilities and adjusting support strategies as the condition evolves.
What Is the Positive Approach to Care®?
The Positive Approach to Care® (PAC) is an evidence-based philosophy designed to improve quality of life for those living with dementia and their care partners.
The PAC method emphasizes:
- Recognizing and responding to unmet needs
- Adjusting care to match the person’s current cognitive state
- Using nonverbal cues, tone, and body language to build trust
- Promoting dignity and engagement at every stage
- Reducing fear and resistance through empathetic interaction
Rather than seeing dementia as a loss of self, PAC teaches us to view it as a changing way of being, and guides us in building meaningful relationships through every phase.
What It Means to Be a PAC Certified Community
As a PAC-certified community, The Kensington Sierra Madre has met rigorous standards for dementia care education, communication, and service delivery.
This designation is earned only by communities that:
- Have care team members trained in PAC methods
- Integrate Teepa Snow’s teachings into daily operations
- Demonstrate best practices in communication and dementia response
- Provide ongoing PAC-based coaching and evaluations
This is not a one-time training, but a sustained philosophy. Our team lives and breathes the PAC approach, applying it from mealtime interactions to cognitive assessments, and everything in between.
Specialized Training for All Team Members
PAC certification impacts every level of life at The Kensington Sierra Madre.
From leadership to care team members, dining to housekeeping, each person is trained to interact with residents living with dementia through the lens of empathy and understanding.
Key PAC care techniques
- Hand-under-hand™ assistance: A respectful method of guiding mobility and personal care that maintains dignity and reduces fear.
- GEMS® brain change model: A metaphor-based system for recognizing the resident’s current cognitive state (e.g., Sapphire, Diamond, Amber) and adapting communication and care to suit.
- Positive physical approach™: A PAC technique that teaches how to approach someone with dementia calmly and respectfully to avoid startling or confusion.
These methods enable our team to offer not only competent care but also transformational support, rooted in patience, kindness, and skill.
Real-Life Benefits of the PAC Model
The benefits of a Positive Approach to Care® extend far beyond the care team. They profoundly impact the lives of residents and families.
For residents:
- Fewer behavioral outbursts or emotional distress
- Increased engagement in daily life
- More successful participation in activities and therapies
- A stronger sense of security and trust
For families:
- Greater peace of mind knowing loved ones are understood and supported
- Education on how to communicate effectively with a loved one experiencing dementia
- Consistent care grounded in best practices, not guesswork
- A trusted care team that provides continuity, clarity, and compassion
This approach creates a ripple effect, changing the emotional climate of memory care into one of patience, joy, and purpose.
How PAC Enhances Life in Our Memory Care Neighborhoods
At The Kensington Sierra Madre, PAC practices are woven throughout our Connections and Haven memory care neighborhoods.
In Connections, where residents experience early to middle stages of dementia, the PAC model helps preserve independence and encourages interaction. Our team knows how to engage using gentle verbal and nonverbal prompts, cueing residents to participate without feeling overwhelmed.
In Haven, for those in more advanced stages, PAC strategies guide team members in providing soothing, sensory-driven experiences and ensuring comfort without disorientation. This might include gentle aromatherapy, rhythm-based activities, or simply sitting with someone and sharing calm presence, without expectation.
Explore life in Connections and Haven to see how PAC transforms each moment into an opportunity for dignity and connection.
Educating Families with PAC Insights
Our PAC certification isn’t just for the benefit of our team, it’s for our families, too. We regularly host:
- Family workshops and webinars led by PAC educators
- One-on-one coaching to support spouses and adult children navigating communication challenges
- Support groups focused on the emotional side of caregiving
By helping families adopt PAC techniques, we extend the benefits beyond our walls and into everyday relationships between loved ones and their care partners.
A PAC Philosophy, A Kensington Sierra Madre Promise
PAC training is more than a care strategy, it aligns beautifully with the heart of our mission. Our Promise, “to love and care for your family as we do our own,” lives in every interaction guided by the Positive Approach to Care®.
- We don’t correct, we connect.
- We don’t assume, we observe and respond.
- We don’t isolate, we engage.
Every member of our community deserves to feel respected, valued, and truly known. PAC helps us achieve that, one meaningful interaction at a time.
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5 Ways PAC Changes Dementia Care at Kensington Sierra Madre
At The Kensington Sierra Madre, we believe that great dementia care begins with understanding.
Through our Positive Approach to Care® (PAC) certification, based on the teachings of Teepa Snow, we transform how care is delivered, making every interaction more compassionate, personalized, and empowering.
1. Personalized Communication at Every Stage
Dementia affects each person differently, which is why PAC trains our team to adjust how they communicate, verbally and nonverbally, based on a resident’s current cognitive state. This helps us reduce confusion, foster trust, and create more meaningful moments together.
2. Gentle, Dignified Support with Hand-Under-Hand™
Instead of taking over tasks, we use the Hand-Under-Hand™ technique to assist residents in a respectful, supportive way. Whether guiding during meals or personal care, this method protects autonomy and helps residents feel calm and in control.
3. Meaningful Engagement Through the GEMS® Model
PAC’s GEMS® brain change model helps us recognize where each resident is in their dementia journey. We use this insight to tailor activities, routines, and communication in ways that match their needs, honoring who they are today while nurturing their abilities.
4. A Unified, Compassionate Team Approach
A shared understanding of the PAC method among our team creates a consistent, comforting environment where every interaction supports well-being and dignity.
5. Family Education and Emotional Support
We extend the benefits of PAC beyond our walls by offering family workshops and support groups. Our goal is to empower loved ones with tools to better understand and connect, strengthening relationships.
Learn More About Our PAC-Certified Dementia Care in Sierra Madre
Choosing the right dementia care community is a decision that requires trust, and trust is earned through transparency, training, and compassion.
If you are exploring PAC-certified dementia care in Sierra Madre, we invite you to visit The Kensington Sierra Madre and witness our Positive Approach to Care® in action.
Contact us today to schedule a tour or learn more about how our team’s PAC training helps us create a safer, more engaging, and more loving environment for your loved one.