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Dementia & the Holidays

Memories That Matter: Creating Meaningful Moments in Dementia Care

Memories That Matter: Creating Meaningful Moments in Dementia Care
Learn how to preserve holiday meaning while caring for someone with dementia using simple sensory traditions, gentle music, and low pressure rituals. The holidays can feel heavy when you are caring for someone living with dementia. Traditions you once loved may no longer fit, yet the memories behind them still matter. In this post, we explore how to create meaningful holiday moments without pressure, overwhelm, or unrealistic expectations. You will learn how taste, music, scent, and touch can spark connection, why simple sensory rituals work better than busy plans, and how to modify your favorite traditions so they feel calm and supportive. Whether it is a quiet song, a warm cinnamon scent, or one small Christmas Eve ritual, these gentle shifts help keep the heart of the season alive for both you and the person you care for.
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Valentine’s Day Activities for Dementia Caregivers and Their Loved Ones

Valentine’s Day Activities for Dementia Caregivers and Their Loved Ones
Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate love in all its forms, and as a caregiver, you can create special moments tailored to the needs of the person you care for. Whether through music, crafts, shared treats, or reminiscing over old photos, small gestures can make a big impact. Explore these simple, dementia-friendly activities to bring comfort, connection, and joy to your day.

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Balancing Love and Caregiving: Nurturing Relationships While Providing Care

Balancing Love and Caregiving: Nurturing Relationships While Providing Care
Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate love, but for caregivers, it can be challenging to balance responsibilities while finding meaningful ways to connect. Whether you’re caring for a partner, parent, child, or friend, this guide offers thoughtful and adaptable ideas to honor the day while managing your caregiving role.
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Managing Holiday Stress: Self-Care Strategies for Dementia Caregivers

Managing Holiday Stress: Self-Care Strategies for Dementia Caregivers
Reduce holiday stress with actionable self-care tips for dementia caregivers. Learn how to set boundaries, enlist help, and create manageable holiday plans.
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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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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