We believe the best teachings come from caregivers themselves—hardships, strength, and small but life-defining situations that they bring with them.
Recently, we had the opportunity of an interview with Carlyn Lenfestey, a physical therapist who is also a Certified Dementia Practitioner and caregiver coach. Carlyn’s work is influenced by her personal experience with her grandfather’s dementia and with her grandma’s relentless effort in caring for him. This experience led her on a journey of helping other caregivers so that no one feels as isolated as her grandma felt.
Here is Carlyn’s story, in her own words.
Caregiving for a person with dementia was never a one-size-fits-all solution. I’ve seen firsthand the stress, the burnout, the confusion—and that’s why I’ve dedicated my career to empowering caregivers to feel equipped, prepared, and confident.
By day, I am a full-time employee of an acute rehab hospital as a physical therapist. On top of that, I am an instructor with our Memory Care Center. As a certified instructor with the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners as well as a Certified Dementia Practitioner, I am able to instruct and certify hospital employees with the goal of creating a truly dementia-friendly facility.
But I don’t rest on my laurels. Weekends and evenings find me training professional workers and educating family caregivers with a sole aim: creating a world that’s friendlier to those with dementia, interaction by interaction. It’s a hectic agenda, indeed, but also very fulfilling because I understand just how much of a difference the appropriate education and care can bring about.
My professional motivation for this work began at home. My grandfather was the first individual I ever knew who had dementia. I observed my grandmother care for him with zest—yet she had no education, encouragement, nor any idea of what was literally happening with him. She was always exhausted, having a hard time deciphering behaviors that scared and confused her. That left a mark on me.
That’s why when I’m around families today, the very first thing I do is ask about the caregiver. How are they doing physically? Emotionally? Mentally? Do they have a self-care plan? Because the truth is simple:
– Carlyn McCormack Lenfestey
You won’t be able to feel compassion or patience if nobody has ever explained the way dementia rewires the brain and transforms behavior. That’s why my approach focuses on filling two giant gaps: caring for caregivers and educating about dementia.
Along the way, I’ve also seen the way the dementia care landscape is evolving. We’re transitioning out of clinical, task-oriented care and towards spaces that genuinely respect the individual. That’s spaces that are created with orientation, with comfort, with independence, good signage, soothing color, chairs that invite interaction, and routines that revolve around individuals rather than timetables.
Another tremendous shift I’m excited about is that caregivers are getting education that actually integrates with their lifestyles. Microlearning—short, focused video or audio courses—allows caregivers to gain actual abilities five minutes at a time. They need not take hours out of their day for training; they can build their confidence step-wise, whenever is good for them.
Reflecting upon my grandmother’s journey with my grandfather, I wish that she had access to the resources that we do today. No care provider should feel like they are ever doing that alone. I hope that I am able to ensure that they never do.
Dementia care’s future is a world of person-centered surroundings, readily available training, and empowered caregivers who are of equal priority to those they care for. And I will keep doing my part—one caregiver, one family, one interaction at a time.
Carlyn McCormack Lenfestey is a seasoned trainer of more than two decades who is also a physical therapist as well as a Certified Dementia Practitioner. She is the Founder/CEO of A Better Way Dementia Care Solutions, LLC. Carlyn provides education, resources, and coaching at the family care as well as professional team levels.
Carlyn's specialties are training for dementia care, falls prevention, mobility approaches, and helping organizations develop dementia-friendly strategies. She uses clinical experience, but also personal experience of caring for her grandfather's dementia, which informs her focus on supporter education and care.
Committed to creating a more dementia-friendly world, Carlyn is passionate about care that is deeply grounded in empathy, practicality, and genuine connection.
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