About

About Dementia Letters Project and Kathryne Fassbender

A Volunteer. A Family Caregiver. A Student. A Care Professional.

Over the last 25 years, Kate has held these roles, each one leaving a mark on how she assists others living with a diagnosis and supporting those on their care team. By providing the education each staff member and loved one needs to understand the disease, its quirks, and how we can work together, we have a chance to live well with dementia.

The Dementia Letters Project started in 2015, and offers full dementia training for care communities and organizations, Life Enrichment Team Development Training, and Arts and Aging programs such as Memory Cafés, Arts Access, and Educational Theatre. In 2018 she founded the Connect + Create Institute to provide stronger educational AND community experiences for professional care staff. Kate also travels the country speaking at events and conferences.

Work with Kate

Meet Kate

I’m Kathryne (Kate) Fassbender

Creative work in eldercare is what I was uniquely created to do with my time and talent. I am part artist, part educator, and I find joy in accompanying others along this dementia journey.

I believe dementia is not a death sentence, a reason to squash dignity, purpose, and joy, nor an eraser that eliminates the beauty of life. But it is also not a reason to fear suffering, and “shush” conversations about the real trials we face. Whether you have the diagnosis yourself or are a care partner, I seek to walk with you through the trials and triumphs of this life.

My experiences as both a family and professional care partner has allowed me to dream big, to put out into the deep and imagine a better world for those on the dementia journey. 

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Partners Past and Present

AFA
Renewal Memory Partners
Fox Valley Memory Project
Atria Senior Living

Kate is both the Founder of the Dementia Letters Project, as well as The Hem of Christ, a non-profit seeking to accompany those living with dementia in their relationship with Christ. She also serves as a GIVEN Institute Mentor.

A Wisconsin native, Kate returned to Wisconsin in 2026 after living on the East Coast for 16 years. Her return home brought with it the invitation to better balance her roles as educator and artist. For, one cannot teach the craft, unless one is also practicing their craft. She looks forward to working with clients in new and greater ways.

Quote to Live By

“If You Look The Right Way, You Can See That The Whole World Is A Garden.” ​

– Frances Hodgson Burnett

FAQ

I have my B.S. in Art Therapy from Edgewood College, specializing in Gerontology. I have also studied Music, Theater, Business, and Drama Therapy at the Undergraduate and Master’s level. I once held my CDP (Certified Dementia Practitioner) but chose to give it up in search of more meaningful education. I also have my CDCS (Certified Dementia Communication Specialists) I am also a Certified TimeSlips Facilitator, hold my certification in Mental Health First Aid, and held my AFA Alzheimer’s Partner in Care Certification.

I live in Wisconsin, and travel throughout North America.

Each year I seek ways to continue to grow in knowledge and understanding, both informally and formally. Above and beyond what is required to maintain any certifications I may have, I participate in monthly CE webinars, workshops, and courses hosted by universities, conferences, and other dementia-based organizations.

I also value greatly the growth that happens when we work with, and listen to, those living with dementia. These individuals provide an education that surpasses anything one might learn in a textbook or lecture.

Yes, all my education materials meet most state requirements for Dementia education, both for onboarding and continuing education for existing staff. Please let me know if this is a concern you have before we start working together.