About

Dementia Educator and Speaker with a Forte in Creative Engagement

The Dementia Letters Project sets out to help you shift from…

Brain scans into Connection
Burnout into Creativity
Doom and Gloom into Beauty and Joy
Living Outside of the Textbook and into Dignified Personhood

Meet Kate

Hi! 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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Past and Present Partners

My One Thing

Creative Engagement isn’t only an activities approach.

It is a model (an evidence-based model at that) of the full picture of care. If you leave it up to the Activities team to understand and use Creative Engagement, you are missing a big picture of the pie.

Ways to work together

Training

Training that is Engaged, Innovative,
and Impactful. Rooted in Relationship.

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Arts and Aging

Using the arts and creativity to live fully alive.
Rooted in Dignity, Purpose, and Joy in Life.

Rummage through the Art Bin

Speaking

Cultivating a spirit of innovation, courage, and beauty in care.
Be Bold. Be Creative. Be Relational

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A Snapshot of Kate

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. Kate also serves as a GIVEN Institute Mentor. 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. Kate also serves as a GIVEN Institute Mentor.

A Wisconsin native, Kate returned to Wisconsin in 2026 after living on the East Coast for 15 years. Her return home brought with it the invitation to better balance her roles as educator and artist.

Quote to LIve By

“If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden.”

-Frances Hodgson Burnett in The Secret Garden

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 am a CDCS (Certified Dementia Communication Specialists) have my certification in Mental Health First Aid.

I live in Wisconsin, however I travel throughout North America and provide services both in-person and virtually. If traveling more than 25 miles away or for an overnight, travel expense reimbursement is expected.

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. The training is based on the culmination of various state regulations regarding dementia education for memory care staff. Adaptations can be made to better fit the needs and requirements of your community. Each session comes with a pre-post test, student handbook identifying all that was covered in the training, and certification of completion.

Let’s work together

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