Creative Engagement Offerings
Rooted in Dignity, Purpose, and Joy in Life
My Approach
I started my professional journey as a Life Enrichment and Art Therapy Intern. It was during these formative years that I was invited to use my creativity to become relational with others. I discovered that I was able to tap into my many interests of travel, history, art, religion and faith, music, theatre, literature, and even the stock market, through the conversations I had and the programs I helped to both facilitate and develop. This foundation is what started the Dementia Letters Project (the program) and what you experience today through the Dementia Letters Project. I continue that foundational work, only in a slightly different manner. Instead of working for any specific organization or community, I am here to serve you, no matter where you might be, through in-person and virtual programming in the home, an adult day, skilled or assisted living, community organization, and beyond.
My mission is to continue to serve others using the structure of Life Enrichment, both through program development and facilitation, but also in the training of Life Enrichment/Activities staff. Everyone should be allowed to live wealthy in connection, regardless of the place they call home, their access to community services, or what their current care plan offers.
To live creatively, joyfully, and fully in a place of dignity is the dream of all humanity.
Offerings
This list is getting program revamp, so if you have any questions feel free to reach out to Kate (Kate@dementialettersproject.com) to explore offerings and your needs.
Life Enrichment Development and Facilitation
Your team has a great capacity to provide a vibrant and connected community, but sometimes there are not enough hours in the day to reach each client or resident in the way they need you most. This is where I come in. I can work with you to provide the Life Enrichment programming that you might struggle to offer or don’t have the time to do. Maybe you want to schedule a program that would require additional training for your staff. Or you need to isolate a wing or building on your campus because of illness, but you still want to reach and honor their social needs. Let us work together to offer each individual in your care, a vibrant and joyful connection.
Life Enrichment Team Onboarding
More than Relias, greater than welcome packets, proper onboarding dives deep into the beauty of the Life Enrichment Team, how to program for those living with various needs, including memory loss that brings purpose while magnifying one’s dignity, and how to work with regulations put into place by your community and state.
Memory Café and Arts Access
Wether you have an existing program or would like to start one, let us work together to provide dignified, joyful programming for those living with dementia and their care partners.
Format
Select the format that best fits your organization or community.
At Home
For Families providing full-time care and in-home care organizations
In Community
Independent Living to Skilled Care
Mentorship
Magnifying the Beauty of your Life Enrichment Team
Talent and Skills assessment of the current team.
Evaluation of current offerings and the needs and desires of residents. Programs developed specifically for your community.
Long-term guidance and support.
Development of LET new staff onboarding.
Easy Actions
Start with Bingo!
Yes, you read that correctly. Start with Bingo. But don’t stay there. Observe who attained, why they come to play, and how the interact with each other and you, and create within and beyond the game of BINGO to fill out your calendar.
Find ways to Engage ones Profession
Why does your activities calendar look the way it does? Is it because it is mandated by the state or your corporate office? Is it because your residents have requested the program or love the program? Is it because it is known or has research behind its success? Find out the why, and don’t be afraid to transform the program or replace it if the why is anytime less than it is enjoyed and brings purpose and connection.
Develop Partnerships
Create an Artist in Residence program with the local school or university, and engage hobbyists and professionals alike in the arts, or other professionals related to the life’s work of your residents. Build connections with local farmers and gardeners. Don’t allow the walls of your building to be gates locked for both sides.
Don’t Rest in Research
Research is wonderful, but it is still only a piece of paper in most of our lives. If what research says will work, doesn’t, throw it out. Creative from your intuition, knowledge, and from the undeniable connection between human hearts.
