Daily Routines & Activities

What Your Senses Are Telling You: The Sensory Spoke and Dementia Activities

What Your Senses Are Telling You: The Sensory Spoke and Dementia Activities
Before you introduce any activity to someone with dementia, the brain is already processing everything in the room. The Sensory Spoke of the Wheel of Function Framework™ helps caregivers and care professionals identify when sensory overload or underload is shutting down engagement, and what to change first. Part 3 of a six-part series on activities and the Wheel of Function Framework™.
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When Emotions Drive the Behavior: The Emotional Spoke and Dementia Activities

When Emotions Drive the Behavior: The Emotional Spoke and Dementia Activities
When someone living with dementia pushes away an activity, refuses without explanation, or sits through something without really connecting, the answer is rarely about the activity itself. It is almost always about what is happening emotionally first. Here is how to read those signals and what to do about them.
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The Best Activities for Someone with Dementia Who Won’t Engage

The Best Activities for Someone with Dementia Who Won’t Engage
Most activity advice for dementia caregivers starts in the wrong place. The Wheel of Function Framework™ gives caregivers and care professionals a clinically grounded way to read what the brain needs before any activity begins. Learn what actually works when nothing else has.
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How to Engage Family and Friends in Dementia Care: A Holiday Guide

How to Engage Family and Friends in Dementia Care: A Holiday Guide
The holiday season offers a unique opportunity to involve family and friends in dementia care. From sharing responsibilities to creating meaningful connections, this guide provides practical tips to educate, engage, and empower loved ones while celebrating the holidays together. Learn how to foster joy, reduce stress, and create lasting memories with your caregiving team.
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Creating Holiday Traditions That Work for Someone Living with Dementia

Creating Holiday Traditions That Work for Someone Living with Dementia
The holiday season is often filled with traditions and celebrations, but for caregivers supporting someone living with dementia, it can feel challenging to maintain the festive spirit. By simplifying and adapting traditions, you can create a holiday experience that brings joy, comfort, and meaningful connection. From familiar activities like baking and decorating to sensory-friendly adjustments, this guide offers practical tips to ensure the season remains a cherished time for both you and the person you care for.

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Meet Carlyn Lenfestey

Carlyn is a dedicated physical therapist with over 20 years of experience, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences and a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy from the University of New England. For more than a decade, she has been a Certified Dementia Care Practitioner and Trainer. Her journey into dementia care began when her grandfather was diagnosed, and she watched her grandmother take on the role of caregiver. Over the years, as her remaining three grandparents were also diagnosed, Carlyn developed a deep commitment to helping caregivers.

Having cared for countless patients with dementia, Carlyn understands the struggles both personal and professional caregivers face. She has provided training and support to both groups, ensuring that caregivers are knowledgeable, equipped, and empowered. Driven by the belief that people with dementia deserve lives filled with joy and purpose, Carlyn is passionate about creating a better way to care for and support both individuals with dementia and those who care for them.


Photo of Carlyn Lenfestey