Updates from Carlyn Lenfestey

Part 3: Stop the Mealtime Battle- How to Support Eating When Dementia Gets

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 10:19:00 CDT

Stop fighting the symptoms and start repairing the wheel. This guide provides practical, stage-aware strategies to fix the physical, sensory, and cognitive "misfires" that disrupt dementia mealtimes using the Wheel of Function Framework™.

Part 2: How Dementia Affects Eating at Every Stage

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 07:12:15 CDT

Dementia is a progressive journey of brain failure. In Part 2 of our series, we map the Wheel of Function™ to the early, middle, and late stages of the disease to help you stay ahead of mealtime challenges.

Part 1: Why the Table is the Ultimate Stress Test in Dementia Care

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 07:10:00 CDT

Mealtime is the most complex task we ask a person with dementia to perform. Explore why the kitchen table is the "ultimate stress test" and learn how the Wheel of Function Framework™ can help you identify and repair the specific obstacles stopping the meal.

Alzheimer’s Speaks Podcast: Why Dementia Behaviors Make Sense Once You Understand the Brain

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 11:08:03 CDT

Why I Teach the NCCDP Dementia Care Seminar: And Why It Matters More Than You Think

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 10:54:53 CDT

My grandfather had the brightest blue eyes. Then dementia came. Years later as a physical therapist I realized my clinical training hadn't prepared me for dementia care either. Here's why I became a certified NCCDP trainer and why this seminar changes everything.

When Simple Decisions Stop Feeling Simple: How Dementia Affects Problem Solving

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 10:41:00 CDT

Everyday decisions like choosing clothes, cleaning up a spill, or figuring out the next step in a task rely on the brain’s ability to solve problems. In dementia, these executive brain functions can change, making even simple situations feel confusing or overwhelming. In this post, we break down why problem solving becomes difficult and how caregivers can reduce frustration by supporting the brain differently.

When Familiar Tasks Fall Apart: How Dementia Affects Sequencing and Everyday Activities

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 08:08:00 CDT

Why can someone understand what you’re saying but still struggle to finish a familiar task?

In dementia care, the challenge is not always memory or hearing instructions. Sometimes the brain has trouble organizing the steps that come next.

This is called sequencing.

Sequencing is the brain’s ability to arrange actions in the correct order. When it weakens, everyday activities like dressing, brushing teeth, or making a simple meal can suddenly feel confusing.

The knowledge of the task may still be there.

But the order of steps is not.

Understanding how sequencing changes in dementia can help caregivers shift their approach. Small adjustments, like simplifying routines or offering one step at a time, can make daily tasks feel more manageable for both of you.

In this article, we look at why sequencing changes happen and how caregivers can support everyday activities in a calmer, more supportive way.

When Words Don’t Land: How Language Changes in Dementia Affect Behavior and Daily Function

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 09:30:00 CDT

When words stop working the way they used to, it can feel confusing, frustrating, and even lonely. Language changes in dementia affect more than conversation. They impact movement, behavior, emotion, and daily function. In this post, we explore how slowed processing and language breakdown show up in real life and what simple shifts can protect dignity and connection.

Why Someone With Dementia Repeats the Same Question

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 06:51:38 CDT

When someone with dementia repeats the same question, it can feel exhausting and deeply disconnecting. But repetition is usually about short-term memory storage, not effort or stubbornness. Understanding why it happens can help you respond in ways that protect connection and reduce frustration.

When It Feels Like They’re Not Listening

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 07:46:26 CDT

When it feels like someone with dementia isn’t listening, it can feel personal and frustrating. But what if the issue isn’t unwillingness, but attention overload? In this post, we break down why someone with dementia doesn’t listen or pay attention and how understanding attention can help you respond with more calm and confidence.