Navigating Dementia Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/navigating-dementia Navigating Dementia is a weekly podcast for anyone caring for someone with dementia, family and professional caregivers alike. Host Carlyn Lenfestey, a physical therapist and dementia care specialist with 25 years of clinical experience, uses real stories and everyday moments to show that behavior is never the problem. It's always the signal. Each episode teaches one meaningful insight through her Wheel of Function Framework™, delivered like a conversation over coffee, not a lecture. There is always a better way. 2026 Navigating Dementia 7ac2f1a5-4de5-5945-b7c0-7111a30d0288 yes A Personal Welcome: There Has to Be a Better Way en Mon, 19 Oct 2026 05:00:26 -0400 Sat, 24 Oct 2026 01:05:43 -0400 https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/navigating-dementia-podcast-home https://img.transistorcdn.com/cu5fSXbvHKM1c5s61lsjRX8Hj3ebN5XV0qDOO1dxMZo/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS82YmE4/NzVkNzgyNjliMDI5/ZmEwNmZmZGRmZjBj/Y2ExMy5wbmc.jpg Navigating Dementia https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/navigating-dementia-podcast-home episodic Carlyn Lenfestey Navigating Dementia is a weekly podcast for anyone caring for someone with dementia, family and professional caregivers alike. Host Carlyn Lenfestey, a physical therapist and dementia care specialist with 25 years of clinical experience, uses real stories and everyday moments to show that behavior is never the problem. It's always the signal. Each episode teaches one meaningful insight through her Wheel of Function Framework™, delivered like a conversation over coffee, not a lecture. There is always a better way. Navigating Dementia is a weekly podcast for anyone caring for someone with dementia, family and professional caregivers alike. dementia care, dementia caregiver, Alzheimer's caregiver, dementia care partner, caring for a loved one with dementia, dementia behavior, caregiver burnout, Wheel of Function Framework, memory care, dementia communication, Carlyn Lenfestey, A Better Way Dementia Care Solutions Carlyn Lenfestey carlyn@abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com No No Lewy Body Dementia Symptoms: Sleep Changes, Hallucinations, and Fluctuating Alertness 1 1 Lewy Body Dementia Symptoms: Sleep Changes, Hallucinations, and Fluctuating Alertness full eb758742-0845-441b-9fcd-31278e647f59 https://share.transistor.fm/s/0d3b16bc What happens when something has clearly changed, but forgetting isn’t the first thing a family notices?

With Lewy body dementia, someone may follow a conversation over breakfast and need much more help getting dressed a little later. Add disrupted sleep, changes in movement, or seeing things that aren’t there, and families can be left wondering what’s happening and how to respond.

In Episode 12 of Navigating Dementia, Carlyn Lenfestey explores Lewy body dementia through Know the Waters, the first step in The Signal Guide Navigation System™. We follow an imagined morning to understand how the diagnosis can affect everyday life, what support might help, and what to bring up with the healthcare team, even if you’re still seeking a diagnosis.

In this episode, we talk about:

  • Why attention and alertness can change throughout the day.
  • How Lewy body dementia can look different from Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Sleep changes, including long stretches awake, daytime sleepiness, and acting out dreams.
  • Why the care partner’s sleep needs to be part of the care conversation too.
  • Responding when someone sees something you don’t see.
  • How stiffness, slower movement, and dizziness can affect daily tasks.
  • Why medication sensitivity matters and sudden changes need medical attention.
  • Preparing for appointments when what happens at home doesn’t show up in the doctor’s office.

A question to carry into your week:

“What part of the day do we most need help with?”

Start with one example. Maybe getting dressed has become harder, sleep is interfering with meals, or you’re awake much of the night. Write down what’s happening and how it’s affecting both of you. You don’t need the right medical words to ask for help.

Free Doctor Visit Guide
Use this free guide to organize your observations and questions before the next appointment. You don’t need a diagnosis to use it.

Download the Doctor Visit Guide

Next week, we’ll explore frontotemporal dementia, or FTD, including why changes in behavior, judgment, personality, or language may appear before memory becomes the main concern.

Connect with Carlyn

FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care -> https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=ep12_shownotes
Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia


If this episode helped you understand a difficult moment, share it with someone who could use that same support.

DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or a licensed physical therapist before starting any new exercise routine, using assistive devices, or following the recommendations mentioned. Every individual's needs are different, and professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and appropriateness of care.

]]> What happens when something has clearly changed, but forgetting isn’t the first thing a family notices?

With Lewy body dementia, someone may follow a conversation over breakfast and need much more help getting dressed a little later. Add disrupted sleep, changes in movement, or seeing things that aren’t there, and families can be left wondering what’s happening and how to respond.

In Episode 12 of Navigating Dementia, Carlyn Lenfestey explores Lewy body dementia through Know the Waters, the first step in The Signal Guide Navigation System™. We follow an imagined morning to understand how the diagnosis can affect everyday life, what support might help, and what to bring up with the healthcare team, even if you’re still seeking a diagnosis.

In this episode, we talk about:

  • Why attention and alertness can change throughout the day.
  • How Lewy body dementia can look different from Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Sleep changes, including long stretches awake, daytime sleepiness, and acting out dreams.
  • Why the care partner’s sleep needs to be part of the care conversation too.
  • Responding when someone sees something you don’t see.
  • How stiffness, slower movement, and dizziness can affect daily tasks.
  • Why medication sensitivity matters and sudden changes need medical attention.
  • Preparing for appointments when what happens at home doesn’t show up in the doctor’s office.

A question to carry into your week:

“What part of the day do we most need help with?”

Start with one example. Maybe getting dressed has become harder, sleep is interfering with meals, or you’re awake much of the night. Write down what’s happening and how it’s affecting both of you. You don’t need the right medical words to ask for help.

Free Doctor Visit Guide
Use this free guide to organize your observations and questions before the next appointment. You don’t need a diagnosis to use it.

Download the Doctor Visit Guide

Next week, we’ll explore frontotemporal dementia, or FTD, including why changes in behavior, judgment, personality, or language may appear before memory becomes the main concern.

Connect with Carlyn

FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care -> https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=ep12_shownotes
Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia


If this episode helped you understand a difficult moment, share it with someone who could use that same support.

DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or a licensed physical therapist before starting any new exercise routine, using assistive devices, or following the recommendations mentioned. Every individual's needs are different, and professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and appropriateness of care.

]]> Mon, 19 Oct 2026 05:00:00 -0400 Carlyn Lenfestey Watch on YouTube Carlyn Lenfestey 1307 What happens when something has clearly changed, but forgetting isn’t the first thing a family notices?

With Lewy body dementia, someone may follow a conversation over breakfast and need much more help getting dressed a little later. Add disrupted sleep, changes in movement, or seeing things that aren’t there, and families can be left wondering what’s happening and how to respond.

In Episode 12 of Navigating Dementia, Carlyn Lenfestey explores Lewy body dementia through Know the Waters, the first step in The Signal Guide Navigation System™. We follow an imagined morning to understand how the diagnosis can affect everyday life, what support might help, and what to bring up with the healthcare team, even if you’re still seeking a diagnosis.

In this episode, we talk about:

  • Why attention and alertness can change throughout the day.
  • How Lewy body dementia can look different from Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Sleep changes, including long stretches awake, daytime sleepiness, and acting out dreams.
  • Why the care partner’s sleep needs to be part of the care conversation too.
  • Responding when someone sees something you don’t see.
  • How stiffness, slower movement, and dizziness can affect daily tasks.
  • Why medication sensitivity matters and sudden changes need medical attention.
  • Preparing for appointments when what happens at home doesn’t show up in the doctor’s office.

A question to carry into your week:

“What part of the day do we most need help with?”

Start with one example. Maybe getting dressed has become harder, sleep is interfering with meals, or you’re awake much of the night. Write down what’s happening and how it’s affecting both of you. You don’t need the right medical words to ask for help.

Free Doctor Visit Guide
Use this free guide to organize your observations and questions before the next appointment. You don’t need a diagnosis to use it.

Download the Doctor Visit Guide

Next week, we’ll explore frontotemporal dementia, or FTD, including why changes in behavior, judgment, personality, or language may appear before memory becomes the main concern.

Connect with Carlyn

FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care -> https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=ep12_shownotes
Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia


If this episode helped you understand a difficult moment, share it with someone who could use that same support.

DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or a licensed physical therapist before starting any new exercise routine, using assistive devices, or following the recommendations mentioned. Every individual's needs are different, and professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and appropriateness of care.

]]> dementia care, dementia caregiver, Alzheimer's caregiver, dementia care partner, caring for a loved one with dementia, dementia behavior, caregiver burnout, Wheel of Function Framework, memory care, dementia communication, Carlyn Lenfestey, A Better Way Dementia Care Solutions No Alzheimer's and Memory Loss: Why They Remember the Past but Forget Today 11 1 1 Alzheimer's and Memory Loss: Why They Remember the Past but Forget Today 11 full 9d9ce6d6-00bc-43a8-a5cc-8d8ec8ad8f3f https://share.transistor.fm/s/e25a15a6 How can someone with Alzheimer’s remember an old song but forget a conversation from five minutes ago?

That difference can be confusing, especially when you’re answering the same question again or trying to help with an appointment they don’t remember discussing.

In Episode 11 of Navigating Dementia, Carlyn Lenfestey explores Alzheimer’s disease through Know the Waters, the first step in The Signal Guide Navigation System™. We look at what the diagnosis can tell us about everyday challenges and how to offer support that fits the abilities available right now.

In this episode, we talk about:

  • Why familiar songs and older memories may remain accessible when recent information doesn’t.
  • How Alzheimer’s can affect attention, language, judgment, sequencing, and visual-spatial processing.
  • Why making coffee or getting dressed involves more brain work than we realize.
  • Ways to offer information without depending entirely on memory.
  • How to make conversation feel less like a memory test.
  • Why sudden confusion needs immediate medical attention.

A question to carry into your week:

“How can I make this easier to do with the abilities that are available right now?”

Try noticing one moment that asks the person to remember something. Could you offer the information when it’s needed, show the next step, or use a reminder they can understand?

Next week, we’ll explore Lewy body dementia, including changes in attention, alertness, movement, and visual experience.

Connect with Carlyn
FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care -> https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=ep11_shownotes
Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia


If this episode helped you understand a difficult moment, share it with someone who could use that same support.

DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or a licensed physical therapist before starting any new exercise routine, using assistive devices, or following the recommendations mentioned. Every individual's needs are different, and professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and appropriateness of care.

]]> How can someone with Alzheimer’s remember an old song but forget a conversation from five minutes ago?

That difference can be confusing, especially when you’re answering the same question again or trying to help with an appointment they don’t remember discussing.

In Episode 11 of Navigating Dementia, Carlyn Lenfestey explores Alzheimer’s disease through Know the Waters, the first step in The Signal Guide Navigation System™. We look at what the diagnosis can tell us about everyday challenges and how to offer support that fits the abilities available right now.

In this episode, we talk about:

  • Why familiar songs and older memories may remain accessible when recent information doesn’t.
  • How Alzheimer’s can affect attention, language, judgment, sequencing, and visual-spatial processing.
  • Why making coffee or getting dressed involves more brain work than we realize.
  • Ways to offer information without depending entirely on memory.
  • How to make conversation feel less like a memory test.
  • Why sudden confusion needs immediate medical attention.

A question to carry into your week:

“How can I make this easier to do with the abilities that are available right now?”

Try noticing one moment that asks the person to remember something. Could you offer the information when it’s needed, show the next step, or use a reminder they can understand?

Next week, we’ll explore Lewy body dementia, including changes in attention, alertness, movement, and visual experience.

Connect with Carlyn
FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care -> https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=ep11_shownotes
Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia


If this episode helped you understand a difficult moment, share it with someone who could use that same support.

DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or a licensed physical therapist before starting any new exercise routine, using assistive devices, or following the recommendations mentioned. Every individual's needs are different, and professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and appropriateness of care.

]]> Mon, 05 Oct 2026 22:31:10 -0400 Carlyn Lenfestey Carlyn Lenfestey 879 How can someone with Alzheimer’s remember an old song but forget a conversation from five minutes ago?

That difference can be confusing, especially when you’re answering the same question again or trying to help with an appointment they don’t remember discussing.

In Episode 11 of Navigating Dementia, Carlyn Lenfestey explores Alzheimer’s disease through Know the Waters, the first step in The Signal Guide Navigation System™. We look at what the diagnosis can tell us about everyday challenges and how to offer support that fits the abilities available right now.

In this episode, we talk about:

  • Why familiar songs and older memories may remain accessible when recent information doesn’t.
  • How Alzheimer’s can affect attention, language, judgment, sequencing, and visual-spatial processing.
  • Why making coffee or getting dressed involves more brain work than we realize.
  • Ways to offer information without depending entirely on memory.
  • How to make conversation feel less like a memory test.
  • Why sudden confusion needs immediate medical attention.

A question to carry into your week:

“How can I make this easier to do with the abilities that are available right now?”

Try noticing one moment that asks the person to remember something. Could you offer the information when it’s needed, show the next step, or use a reminder they can understand?

Next week, we’ll explore Lewy body dementia, including changes in attention, alertness, movement, and visual experience.

Connect with Carlyn
FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care -> https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=ep11_shownotes
Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia


If this episode helped you understand a difficult moment, share it with someone who could use that same support.

DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or a licensed physical therapist before starting any new exercise routine, using assistive devices, or following the recommendations mentioned. Every individual's needs are different, and professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and appropriateness of care.

]]> dementia care, dementia caregiver, Alzheimer's caregiver, dementia care partner, caring for a loved one with dementia, dementia behavior, caregiver burnout, Wheel of Function Framework, memory care, dementia communication, Carlyn Lenfestey, A Better Way Dementia Care Solutions No Dementia Behaviors: 3 Things to Know Before You Respond 1 1 Dementia Behaviors: 3 Things to Know Before You Respond full 987e4952-19f2-4713-94a5-38ba322791c9 https://share.transistor.fm/s/ba3d4449
When something changes in dementia care, it is easy to focus on the part we can see. Someone refuses help, becomes upset, or repeatedly says, “I need to go home.” Our first instinct may be to correct the words or stop the behavior.

But before we decide what the signal means or how to respond, we need some context.

In this episode, Carlyn introduces the first part of The Signal Guide Navigation System™: Know the Waters. She shares why it helps to look at three things together: the diagnosis, the person, and what is happening in this particular moment.

A diagnosis can give us a useful place to start, but it cannot tell us everything about the person in front of us. Their history, routines, roles, preferences, and the conditions around them all shape what they may need. When we widen the frame, we have a better chance of offering support that actually fits.

In this episode, we talk about:

  • Why dementia does not look the same in every person
  • What a specific diagnosis can help us understand
  • How to move forward when you do not have a clear diagnosis
  • Why knowing the person matters just as much as knowing the disease
  • How sleep, noise, timing, routine, and other details can change the moment
  • A different way to respond when someone says, “I need to go home”
  • What is coming next in the Know the Waters mini-series
  • How stages and retrogenesis will fit into future conversations

The three questions to carry with you

  1. What do I know about the diagnosis?
  2. What do I know about this person?
  3. What is happening in this moment?

You will not always have complete answers. This is not a test you have to pass before you can help someone. It is a way to use what you know, notice what you do not know, and stay open to what the person is showing you.

Connect with Carlyn FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care -> https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=ep10_shownotes
Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia

DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or a licensed physical therapist before starting any new exercise routine, using assistive devices, or following the recommendations mentioned. Every individual's needs are different, and professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and appropriateness of care.

]]>
When something changes in dementia care, it is easy to focus on the part we can see. Someone refuses help, becomes upset, or repeatedly says, “I need to go home.” Our first instinct may be to correct the words or stop the behavior.

But before we decide what the signal means or how to respond, we need some context.

In this episode, Carlyn introduces the first part of The Signal Guide Navigation System™: Know the Waters. She shares why it helps to look at three things together: the diagnosis, the person, and what is happening in this particular moment.

A diagnosis can give us a useful place to start, but it cannot tell us everything about the person in front of us. Their history, routines, roles, preferences, and the conditions around them all shape what they may need. When we widen the frame, we have a better chance of offering support that actually fits.

In this episode, we talk about:

  • Why dementia does not look the same in every person
  • What a specific diagnosis can help us understand
  • How to move forward when you do not have a clear diagnosis
  • Why knowing the person matters just as much as knowing the disease
  • How sleep, noise, timing, routine, and other details can change the moment
  • A different way to respond when someone says, “I need to go home”
  • What is coming next in the Know the Waters mini-series
  • How stages and retrogenesis will fit into future conversations

The three questions to carry with you

  1. What do I know about the diagnosis?
  2. What do I know about this person?
  3. What is happening in this moment?

You will not always have complete answers. This is not a test you have to pass before you can help someone. It is a way to use what you know, notice what you do not know, and stay open to what the person is showing you.

Connect with Carlyn FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care -> https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=ep10_shownotes
Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia

DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or a licensed physical therapist before starting any new exercise routine, using assistive devices, or following the recommendations mentioned. Every individual's needs are different, and professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and appropriateness of care.

]]> Mon, 28 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400 Carlyn Lenfestey Carlyn Lenfestey 746
When something changes in dementia care, it is easy to focus on the part we can see. Someone refuses help, becomes upset, or repeatedly says, “I need to go home.” Our first instinct may be to correct the words or stop the behavior.

But before we decide what the signal means or how to respond, we need some context.

In this episode, Carlyn introduces the first part of The Signal Guide Navigation System™: Know the Waters. She shares why it helps to look at three things together: the diagnosis, the person, and what is happening in this particular moment.

A diagnosis can give us a useful place to start, but it cannot tell us everything about the person in front of us. Their history, routines, roles, preferences, and the conditions around them all shape what they may need. When we widen the frame, we have a better chance of offering support that actually fits.

In this episode, we talk about:

  • Why dementia does not look the same in every person
  • What a specific diagnosis can help us understand
  • How to move forward when you do not have a clear diagnosis
  • Why knowing the person matters just as much as knowing the disease
  • How sleep, noise, timing, routine, and other details can change the moment
  • A different way to respond when someone says, “I need to go home”
  • What is coming next in the Know the Waters mini-series
  • How stages and retrogenesis will fit into future conversations

The three questions to carry with you

  1. What do I know about the diagnosis?
  2. What do I know about this person?
  3. What is happening in this moment?

You will not always have complete answers. This is not a test you have to pass before you can help someone. It is a way to use what you know, notice what you do not know, and stay open to what the person is showing you.

Connect with Carlyn FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care -> https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=ep10_shownotes
Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia

DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or a licensed physical therapist before starting any new exercise routine, using assistive devices, or following the recommendations mentioned. Every individual's needs are different, and professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and appropriateness of care.

]]> Dementia behavior, types of dementia, person-centered dementia care, dementia caregiver support, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia podcast, care partner education No Why Stopping a Dementia Behavior Doesn't Solve the Real Problem 1 1 Why Stopping a Dementia Behavior Doesn't Solve the Real Problem full 13b06203-757e-4e8d-b3c5-d46e1ca7acb7 https://share.transistor.fm/s/fe11a639 Before you focus on getting a behavior to stop, ask the question that actually changes things: what is it trying to tell you?

In this episode, Carlyn picks up a thread from the woman and the playlist story from last week, then widens it into something bigger. Someone keeps standing up during a meal. You sit them back down, remind them it's time to eat, move the chair in, and a minute later they're up again. If we only look at what we can see, the goal quietly becomes keeping them in the chair. But the standing up might be a full bladder, a sore hip, a too loud room, food they don't recognize, or someone across the room they're trying to follow. The person may not have the words to explain any of that, so their response becomes the explanation instead.

The problem was never just about making a behavior stop. Carlyn makes the case that behavior, and its absence, is information, and that safety always comes first when there's real danger, but once that danger has passed, the real work is asking what changed, not just how to make it stop. She also introduces something new: The Signal Guide™ navigation system, six words that sit around the Wheel of Function™ for the moments when a tip doesn't work and you need a way to think it through instead.

In This Episode

  • Why "how do I stop this" is the wrong first question
  • The lunch table story: a behavior that kept coming back
  • Change is communication, in both directions
  • Introducing The Signal Guide™ navigation system
  • What's coming next: knowing the waters you're navigating

Connect with Carlyn FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care -> https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=ep9_shownotes
Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia

The wheel is only half the picture. Follow the show, because next week we start knowing the waters, the first step in actually using it.

DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or a licensed physical therapist before starting any new exercise routine, using assistive devices, or following the recommendations mentioned. Every individual's needs are different, and professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and appropriateness of care.

]]> Before you focus on getting a behavior to stop, ask the question that actually changes things: what is it trying to tell you?

In this episode, Carlyn picks up a thread from the woman and the playlist story from last week, then widens it into something bigger. Someone keeps standing up during a meal. You sit them back down, remind them it's time to eat, move the chair in, and a minute later they're up again. If we only look at what we can see, the goal quietly becomes keeping them in the chair. But the standing up might be a full bladder, a sore hip, a too loud room, food they don't recognize, or someone across the room they're trying to follow. The person may not have the words to explain any of that, so their response becomes the explanation instead.

The problem was never just about making a behavior stop. Carlyn makes the case that behavior, and its absence, is information, and that safety always comes first when there's real danger, but once that danger has passed, the real work is asking what changed, not just how to make it stop. She also introduces something new: The Signal Guide™ navigation system, six words that sit around the Wheel of Function™ for the moments when a tip doesn't work and you need a way to think it through instead.

In This Episode

  • Why "how do I stop this" is the wrong first question
  • The lunch table story: a behavior that kept coming back
  • Change is communication, in both directions
  • Introducing The Signal Guide™ navigation system
  • What's coming next: knowing the waters you're navigating

Connect with Carlyn FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care -> https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=ep9_shownotes
Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia

The wheel is only half the picture. Follow the show, because next week we start knowing the waters, the first step in actually using it.

DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or a licensed physical therapist before starting any new exercise routine, using assistive devices, or following the recommendations mentioned. Every individual's needs are different, and professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and appropriateness of care.

]]> Mon, 21 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400 Carlyn Lenfestey Watch on YouTube Carlyn Lenfestey 644 Before you focus on getting a behavior to stop, ask the question that actually changes things: what is it trying to tell you?

In this episode, Carlyn picks up a thread from the woman and the playlist story from last week, then widens it into something bigger. Someone keeps standing up during a meal. You sit them back down, remind them it's time to eat, move the chair in, and a minute later they're up again. If we only look at what we can see, the goal quietly becomes keeping them in the chair. But the standing up might be a full bladder, a sore hip, a too loud room, food they don't recognize, or someone across the room they're trying to follow. The person may not have the words to explain any of that, so their response becomes the explanation instead.

The problem was never just about making a behavior stop. Carlyn makes the case that behavior, and its absence, is information, and that safety always comes first when there's real danger, but once that danger has passed, the real work is asking what changed, not just how to make it stop. She also introduces something new: The Signal Guide™ navigation system, six words that sit around the Wheel of Function™ for the moments when a tip doesn't work and you need a way to think it through instead.

In This Episode

  • Why "how do I stop this" is the wrong first question
  • The lunch table story: a behavior that kept coming back
  • Change is communication, in both directions
  • Introducing The Signal Guide™ navigation system
  • What's coming next: knowing the waters you're navigating

Connect with Carlyn FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care -> https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=ep9_shownotes
Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia

The wheel is only half the picture. Follow the show, because next week we start knowing the waters, the first step in actually using it.

DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or a licensed physical therapist before starting any new exercise routine, using assistive devices, or following the recommendations mentioned. Every individual's needs are different, and professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and appropriateness of care.

]]> dementia behavior meaning, dementia and repetitive questions, dementia and pacing, dementia and standing up, dementia and unmet needs, wheel of function framework, signal guide navigation system No Why a Busy Room Can Make Dementia Symptoms Look Worse Than They Are. 1 1 Why a Busy Room Can Make Dementia Symptoms Look Worse Than They Are. full 0cd15a79-776c-4e78-879a-344bcff4f4c1 https://share.transistor.fm/s/b112613a Before you decide someone "can't do that anymore," ask the question that actually changes things: did anything change in them, or just around them?

In this episode, Carlyn tells the story of a woman in an adult day program whose mornings kept falling apart. The moment staff approached to help her wash and dress, she'd become agitated and shut down, and once that happened, there was no bringing her back into the task. An occupational therapist could have focused on the task itself, a different cue, a different way of laying out the clothes. Instead, she looked at what was happening before the task even started. She found the music this woman loved, built it into a calm, familiar playlist, and had staff turn it on twenty to thirty minutes before they ever approached her. By the time they did, she was calmer, more open, and able to do far more of the washing and dressing herself.

That story opens the fifth and final spoke of the Wheel of Function™: the environment. The problem was never just the room, the noise, or the lighting. Carlyn walks through why the same person can feed herself just fine at her kitchen table but struggle in a busy dining room, why a dim bathroom or a dark mat can quietly work against someone, and why a drawer with twelve shirt choices can feel like less independence, not more. She also makes the case that care partners are part of the environment too, our voice, our pace, our touch, even how rushed we feel, and that with all five spokes now on the table, the wheel is finally whole.

In This Episode

  • The playlist that changed a woman's whole morning
  • Why "the environment" means a lot more than the room
  • Everyday moments where the environment quietly makes things harder
  • You're part of the environment too
  • What's coming next: behavior as a signal

Connect with Carlyn
FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care -> https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=ep6_shownotes
Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia

All five spokes of the Wheel of Function™ are on the table now, sensory, emotional, physical, cognitive, and environmental. Follow the show, because next week is where we start putting them to work.

DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or a licensed physical therapist before starting any new exercise routine, using assistive devices, or following the recommendations mentioned. Every individual's needs are different, and professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and appropriateness of care.

]]> Before you decide someone "can't do that anymore," ask the question that actually changes things: did anything change in them, or just around them?

In this episode, Carlyn tells the story of a woman in an adult day program whose mornings kept falling apart. The moment staff approached to help her wash and dress, she'd become agitated and shut down, and once that happened, there was no bringing her back into the task. An occupational therapist could have focused on the task itself, a different cue, a different way of laying out the clothes. Instead, she looked at what was happening before the task even started. She found the music this woman loved, built it into a calm, familiar playlist, and had staff turn it on twenty to thirty minutes before they ever approached her. By the time they did, she was calmer, more open, and able to do far more of the washing and dressing herself.

That story opens the fifth and final spoke of the Wheel of Function™: the environment. The problem was never just the room, the noise, or the lighting. Carlyn walks through why the same person can feed herself just fine at her kitchen table but struggle in a busy dining room, why a dim bathroom or a dark mat can quietly work against someone, and why a drawer with twelve shirt choices can feel like less independence, not more. She also makes the case that care partners are part of the environment too, our voice, our pace, our touch, even how rushed we feel, and that with all five spokes now on the table, the wheel is finally whole.

In This Episode

  • The playlist that changed a woman's whole morning
  • Why "the environment" means a lot more than the room
  • Everyday moments where the environment quietly makes things harder
  • You're part of the environment too
  • What's coming next: behavior as a signal

Connect with Carlyn
FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care -> https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=ep6_shownotes
Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia

All five spokes of the Wheel of Function™ are on the table now, sensory, emotional, physical, cognitive, and environmental. Follow the show, because next week is where we start putting them to work.

DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or a licensed physical therapist before starting any new exercise routine, using assistive devices, or following the recommendations mentioned. Every individual's needs are different, and professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and appropriateness of care.

]]> Mon, 14 Sep 2026 09:50:06 -0400 Carlyn Lenfestey Carlyn Lenfestey 990 Before you decide someone "can't do that anymore," ask the question that actually changes things: did anything change in them, or just around them?

In this episode, Carlyn tells the story of a woman in an adult day program whose mornings kept falling apart. The moment staff approached to help her wash and dress, she'd become agitated and shut down, and once that happened, there was no bringing her back into the task. An occupational therapist could have focused on the task itself, a different cue, a different way of laying out the clothes. Instead, she looked at what was happening before the task even started. She found the music this woman loved, built it into a calm, familiar playlist, and had staff turn it on twenty to thirty minutes before they ever approached her. By the time they did, she was calmer, more open, and able to do far more of the washing and dressing herself.

That story opens the fifth and final spoke of the Wheel of Function™: the environment. The problem was never just the room, the noise, or the lighting. Carlyn walks through why the same person can feed herself just fine at her kitchen table but struggle in a busy dining room, why a dim bathroom or a dark mat can quietly work against someone, and why a drawer with twelve shirt choices can feel like less independence, not more. She also makes the case that care partners are part of the environment too, our voice, our pace, our touch, even how rushed we feel, and that with all five spokes now on the table, the wheel is finally whole.

In This Episode

  • The playlist that changed a woman's whole morning
  • Why "the environment" means a lot more than the room
  • Everyday moments where the environment quietly makes things harder
  • You're part of the environment too
  • What's coming next: behavior as a signal

Connect with Carlyn
FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care -> https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=ep6_shownotes
Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia

All five spokes of the Wheel of Function™ are on the table now, sensory, emotional, physical, cognitive, and environmental. Follow the show, because next week is where we start putting them to work.

DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or a licensed physical therapist before starting any new exercise routine, using assistive devices, or following the recommendations mentioned. Every individual's needs are different, and professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and appropriateness of care.

]]> dementia symptoms and environment, dementia and sensory overload, dementia and noise, dementia in unfamiliar places, wheel of function framework, dementia and independence, dementia and overstimulation No Dementia and Cognition: Why Everyday Tasks Become Harder 1 1 Dementia and Cognition: Why Everyday Tasks Become Harder full 117dd481-27cd-4bfd-8c10-70a23c94c95e https://share.transistor.fm/s/3fc37142 Before you break another task into five careful steps, ask the question that actually changes things: is breaking it down helping her brain, or asking it to do more?

In this episode, Carlyn goes back to a story from the adult day program, a woman who could not get out of her chair. Standing in front of her and walking through it step by step, "scoot forward, bring your feet back, lean forward, push, stand," made her more stuck with every instruction. But walking over, holding out a hand, and saying "come with me" gave her a much better chance of standing. Same woman, same chair, same legs. What changed was the demand on her brain, and that is where this episode opens up the third spoke of the Wheel of Function™: cognition, the spoke Carlyn calls the driver of function.

The problem was never just about memory. Cognition is what lets us pay attention long enough to act, understand what is being asked, start a task and stay with it, know what comes next, and notice when something is not working. Carlyn walks through how much of that happens automatically when you get dressed in the morning, and how differently it can look once that process starts to change. Sometimes the shirt can't be found against a bedspread of the same color, that's sensory. Sometimes embarrassment about needing help gets in the way, that's emotion. Sometimes a sore shoulder makes the sleeve painful, that's physical. And sometimes the person can dress beautifully once you hand her the shirt, she just couldn't start on her own, that's cognition. She makes the case for asking "what part is getting in the way?" instead of only "can she do it?", and for changing the task to fit the brain in front of you instead of expecting that brain to adapt to everything around it.

In This Episode

  • The chair story, revisited, and what actually changed
  • Why breaking a task into steps can make it harder, not easier
  • Getting dressed, and everything the brain does without being asked
  • A simple shift: "what part is getting in the way?" instead of "can she do it?"
  • This week's practice: pick one hard moment and get curious

Connect with Carlyn
FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care -> https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=ep6_shownotes
Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia

DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or a licensed physical therapist before starting any new exercise routine, using assistive devices, or following the recommendations mentioned. Every individual's needs are different, and professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and appropriateness of care.

]]> Before you break another task into five careful steps, ask the question that actually changes things: is breaking it down helping her brain, or asking it to do more?

In this episode, Carlyn goes back to a story from the adult day program, a woman who could not get out of her chair. Standing in front of her and walking through it step by step, "scoot forward, bring your feet back, lean forward, push, stand," made her more stuck with every instruction. But walking over, holding out a hand, and saying "come with me" gave her a much better chance of standing. Same woman, same chair, same legs. What changed was the demand on her brain, and that is where this episode opens up the third spoke of the Wheel of Function™: cognition, the spoke Carlyn calls the driver of function.

The problem was never just about memory. Cognition is what lets us pay attention long enough to act, understand what is being asked, start a task and stay with it, know what comes next, and notice when something is not working. Carlyn walks through how much of that happens automatically when you get dressed in the morning, and how differently it can look once that process starts to change. Sometimes the shirt can't be found against a bedspread of the same color, that's sensory. Sometimes embarrassment about needing help gets in the way, that's emotion. Sometimes a sore shoulder makes the sleeve painful, that's physical. And sometimes the person can dress beautifully once you hand her the shirt, she just couldn't start on her own, that's cognition. She makes the case for asking "what part is getting in the way?" instead of only "can she do it?", and for changing the task to fit the brain in front of you instead of expecting that brain to adapt to everything around it.

In This Episode

  • The chair story, revisited, and what actually changed
  • Why breaking a task into steps can make it harder, not easier
  • Getting dressed, and everything the brain does without being asked
  • A simple shift: "what part is getting in the way?" instead of "can she do it?"
  • This week's practice: pick one hard moment and get curious

Connect with Carlyn
FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care -> https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=ep6_shownotes
Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia

DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or a licensed physical therapist before starting any new exercise routine, using assistive devices, or following the recommendations mentioned. Every individual's needs are different, and professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and appropriateness of care.

]]> Mon, 07 Sep 2026 10:25:04 -0400 Carlyn Lenfestey Carlyn Lenfestey 880 Before you break another task into five careful steps, ask the question that actually changes things: is breaking it down helping her brain, or asking it to do more?

In this episode, Carlyn goes back to a story from the adult day program, a woman who could not get out of her chair. Standing in front of her and walking through it step by step, "scoot forward, bring your feet back, lean forward, push, stand," made her more stuck with every instruction. But walking over, holding out a hand, and saying "come with me" gave her a much better chance of standing. Same woman, same chair, same legs. What changed was the demand on her brain, and that is where this episode opens up the third spoke of the Wheel of Function™: cognition, the spoke Carlyn calls the driver of function.

The problem was never just about memory. Cognition is what lets us pay attention long enough to act, understand what is being asked, start a task and stay with it, know what comes next, and notice when something is not working. Carlyn walks through how much of that happens automatically when you get dressed in the morning, and how differently it can look once that process starts to change. Sometimes the shirt can't be found against a bedspread of the same color, that's sensory. Sometimes embarrassment about needing help gets in the way, that's emotion. Sometimes a sore shoulder makes the sleeve painful, that's physical. And sometimes the person can dress beautifully once you hand her the shirt, she just couldn't start on her own, that's cognition. She makes the case for asking "what part is getting in the way?" instead of only "can she do it?", and for changing the task to fit the brain in front of you instead of expecting that brain to adapt to everything around it.

In This Episode

  • The chair story, revisited, and what actually changed
  • Why breaking a task into steps can make it harder, not easier
  • Getting dressed, and everything the brain does without being asked
  • A simple shift: "what part is getting in the way?" instead of "can she do it?"
  • This week's practice: pick one hard moment and get curious

Connect with Carlyn
FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care -> https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=ep6_shownotes
Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia

DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or a licensed physical therapist before starting any new exercise routine, using assistive devices, or following the recommendations mentioned. Every individual's needs are different, and professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and appropriateness of care.

]]> dementia care, dementia caregiver, Alzheimer's caregiver, dementia care partner, caring for a loved one with dementia, dementia behavior, caregiver burnout, Wheel of Function Framework, memory care, dementia communication, Carlyn Lenfestey, A Better Way Dementia Care Solutions No Why Physical Function in Dementia Isn't Just About Strength 1 1 Why Physical Function in Dementia Isn't Just About Strength full 7c947fcf-cbd1-44ba-bd2a-a96dda3e6a1f https://share.transistor.fm/s/a074e281 Before you decide someone "just can't do this anymore," ask the question that actually changes things: what's different about this moment, not this person?

In this episode, Carlyn tells the story of a woman at an adult day program who had the hardest time getting out of a chair. Staff would walk her through it step by step, scoot forward, feet back, lean forward, push, stand, and the more instructions she got, the more stuck she became. But if Carlyn simply held out her hand and said "come with me," she had a much better chance of standing up on her own. Same woman. Same chair. Same legs. What changed wasn't her strength, it was what her brain was being asked to do with the information coming at her. That's the doorway into the third spoke of the Wheel of Function™: physical function, and why it is so much more than a question of "is she strong enough."

The problem was never just about the chair, or the six-step instruction, or the sweater that didn't get finished. Carlyn walks through why "he did it this morning" doesn't mean "he can do it tonight," why a couch can be a harder physical task than a dining chair even for the exact same person, why unexplained pain often hides behind "he doesn't want to," and why more help isn't always better help. She makes the case that physical function fluctuates the same way it does in any of us, and that the real question is never "can they or can't they," it's "what do they need to be successful right now."

In This Episode

  • The chair everyone assumed was a strength problem
  • The six-step instruction that got in the way
  • Why "he did it this morning" doesn't mean "he can do it tonight"
  • What "how much help is actually helpful" really means
  • What's coming next in the series

Connect with Carlyn
FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care -> https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=ep6_shownotes
Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia

If this one changed how you'll look at "he can't do this anymore," follow the show so you catch what's next: the cognitive spoke, and the story that's been waiting for it since this episode's opening scene.

DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or a licensed physical therapist before starting any new exercise routine, using assistive devices, or following the recommendations mentioned. Every individual's needs are different, and professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and appropriateness of care.

]]> Before you decide someone "just can't do this anymore," ask the question that actually changes things: what's different about this moment, not this person?

In this episode, Carlyn tells the story of a woman at an adult day program who had the hardest time getting out of a chair. Staff would walk her through it step by step, scoot forward, feet back, lean forward, push, stand, and the more instructions she got, the more stuck she became. But if Carlyn simply held out her hand and said "come with me," she had a much better chance of standing up on her own. Same woman. Same chair. Same legs. What changed wasn't her strength, it was what her brain was being asked to do with the information coming at her. That's the doorway into the third spoke of the Wheel of Function™: physical function, and why it is so much more than a question of "is she strong enough."

The problem was never just about the chair, or the six-step instruction, or the sweater that didn't get finished. Carlyn walks through why "he did it this morning" doesn't mean "he can do it tonight," why a couch can be a harder physical task than a dining chair even for the exact same person, why unexplained pain often hides behind "he doesn't want to," and why more help isn't always better help. She makes the case that physical function fluctuates the same way it does in any of us, and that the real question is never "can they or can't they," it's "what do they need to be successful right now."

In This Episode

  • The chair everyone assumed was a strength problem
  • The six-step instruction that got in the way
  • Why "he did it this morning" doesn't mean "he can do it tonight"
  • What "how much help is actually helpful" really means
  • What's coming next in the series

Connect with Carlyn
FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care -> https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=ep6_shownotes
Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia

If this one changed how you'll look at "he can't do this anymore," follow the show so you catch what's next: the cognitive spoke, and the story that's been waiting for it since this episode's opening scene.

DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or a licensed physical therapist before starting any new exercise routine, using assistive devices, or following the recommendations mentioned. Every individual's needs are different, and professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and appropriateness of care.

]]> Mon, 31 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0400 Carlyn Lenfestey Watch on YouTube Carlyn Lenfestey 993 Before you decide someone "just can't do this anymore," ask the question that actually changes things: what's different about this moment, not this person?

In this episode, Carlyn tells the story of a woman at an adult day program who had the hardest time getting out of a chair. Staff would walk her through it step by step, scoot forward, feet back, lean forward, push, stand, and the more instructions she got, the more stuck she became. But if Carlyn simply held out her hand and said "come with me," she had a much better chance of standing up on her own. Same woman. Same chair. Same legs. What changed wasn't her strength, it was what her brain was being asked to do with the information coming at her. That's the doorway into the third spoke of the Wheel of Function™: physical function, and why it is so much more than a question of "is she strong enough."

The problem was never just about the chair, or the six-step instruction, or the sweater that didn't get finished. Carlyn walks through why "he did it this morning" doesn't mean "he can do it tonight," why a couch can be a harder physical task than a dining chair even for the exact same person, why unexplained pain often hides behind "he doesn't want to," and why more help isn't always better help. She makes the case that physical function fluctuates the same way it does in any of us, and that the real question is never "can they or can't they," it's "what do they need to be successful right now."

In This Episode

  • The chair everyone assumed was a strength problem
  • The six-step instruction that got in the way
  • Why "he did it this morning" doesn't mean "he can do it tonight"
  • What "how much help is actually helpful" really means
  • What's coming next in the series

Connect with Carlyn
FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care -> https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=ep6_shownotes
Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia

If this one changed how you'll look at "he can't do this anymore," follow the show so you catch what's next: the cognitive spoke, and the story that's been waiting for it since this episode's opening scene.

DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or a licensed physical therapist before starting any new exercise routine, using assistive devices, or following the recommendations mentioned. Every individual's needs are different, and professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and appropriateness of care.

]]> dementia care, dementia caregiver, Alzheimer's caregiver, dementia care partner, caring for a loved one with dementia, dementia behavior, caregiver burnout, Wheel of Function Framework, memory care, dementia communication, Carlyn Lenfestey, A Better Way Dementia Care Solutions No Why Dementia Behavior Is Never Just About the Task 1 1 Why Dementia Behavior Is Never Just About the Task full fd13d8da-5827-4558-a416-653616d880ad https://share.transistor.fm/s/e682a412 Before you label another moment "just agitation" or "a behavior problem," ask the question that actually changes things: what might this person be feeling right now?


In this episode, Carlyn tells the story of a resident in long-term care who kept ending up on the floor, not from a stumble, not from a lost transfer, just a sudden trip to the floor, usually right after a loud noise. No reaching, no sliding, no lost balance, nothing about it looked like a normal fall. The pattern didn't make sense until Carlyn learned what was underneath it: a man with severe PTSD, taking cover from a sound only he could really hear. What started as a mystery about falls became the doorway into the second spoke of the Wheel of Function™: emotional function, and how much of dementia behavior is actually emotion wearing a different name.


The problem was never just about the falls, or the anger, or the shower that got refused. Carlyn walks through why a mom might pull away from a shower, why a dad might insist he has to get home to a mother who's been gone for twenty years, and why "leave me alone" might be less about agitation and more about a very human need for control. She traces the shift from asking "how do we stop this behavior" to asking "what might this person be feeling right now," and why that one change opens up entirely different options for care.


In This Episode

  • The "falls" that weren't falls
  • What "hit the deck" had to do with it
  • Why the truth isn't always the kindest thing to say
  • Why anger might be about control, not confusion
  • What's coming next in the series


Connect with Carlyn
FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care -> https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=ep5_shownotes
Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia


If this one hit close to home, follow the show so you catch what's next: another spoke of the Wheel of Function™, and how it connects to everything we covered today.


DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or a licensed physical therapist before starting any new exercise routine, using assistive devices, or following the recommendations mentioned. Every individual's needs are different, and professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and appropriateness of care.

]]> Before you label another moment "just agitation" or "a behavior problem," ask the question that actually changes things: what might this person be feeling right now?


In this episode, Carlyn tells the story of a resident in long-term care who kept ending up on the floor, not from a stumble, not from a lost transfer, just a sudden trip to the floor, usually right after a loud noise. No reaching, no sliding, no lost balance, nothing about it looked like a normal fall. The pattern didn't make sense until Carlyn learned what was underneath it: a man with severe PTSD, taking cover from a sound only he could really hear. What started as a mystery about falls became the doorway into the second spoke of the Wheel of Function™: emotional function, and how much of dementia behavior is actually emotion wearing a different name.


The problem was never just about the falls, or the anger, or the shower that got refused. Carlyn walks through why a mom might pull away from a shower, why a dad might insist he has to get home to a mother who's been gone for twenty years, and why "leave me alone" might be less about agitation and more about a very human need for control. She traces the shift from asking "how do we stop this behavior" to asking "what might this person be feeling right now," and why that one change opens up entirely different options for care.


In This Episode

  • The "falls" that weren't falls
  • What "hit the deck" had to do with it
  • Why the truth isn't always the kindest thing to say
  • Why anger might be about control, not confusion
  • What's coming next in the series


Connect with Carlyn
FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care -> https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=ep5_shownotes
Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia


If this one hit close to home, follow the show so you catch what's next: another spoke of the Wheel of Function™, and how it connects to everything we covered today.


DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or a licensed physical therapist before starting any new exercise routine, using assistive devices, or following the recommendations mentioned. Every individual's needs are different, and professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and appropriateness of care.

]]> Mon, 24 Aug 2026 08:29:05 -0400 Carlyn Lenfestey Watch on YouTube Carlyn Lenfestey 1255 Before you label another moment "just agitation" or "a behavior problem," ask the question that actually changes things: what might this person be feeling right now?


In this episode, Carlyn tells the story of a resident in long-term care who kept ending up on the floor, not from a stumble, not from a lost transfer, just a sudden trip to the floor, usually right after a loud noise. No reaching, no sliding, no lost balance, nothing about it looked like a normal fall. The pattern didn't make sense until Carlyn learned what was underneath it: a man with severe PTSD, taking cover from a sound only he could really hear. What started as a mystery about falls became the doorway into the second spoke of the Wheel of Function™: emotional function, and how much of dementia behavior is actually emotion wearing a different name.


The problem was never just about the falls, or the anger, or the shower that got refused. Carlyn walks through why a mom might pull away from a shower, why a dad might insist he has to get home to a mother who's been gone for twenty years, and why "leave me alone" might be less about agitation and more about a very human need for control. She traces the shift from asking "how do we stop this behavior" to asking "what might this person be feeling right now," and why that one change opens up entirely different options for care.


In This Episode

  • The "falls" that weren't falls
  • What "hit the deck" had to do with it
  • Why the truth isn't always the kindest thing to say
  • Why anger might be about control, not confusion
  • What's coming next in the series


Connect with Carlyn
FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care -> https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=ep5_shownotes
Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia


If this one hit close to home, follow the show so you catch what's next: another spoke of the Wheel of Function™, and how it connects to everything we covered today.


DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or a licensed physical therapist before starting any new exercise routine, using assistive devices, or following the recommendations mentioned. Every individual's needs are different, and professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and appropriateness of care.

]]> understanding dementia behavior, dementia and emotions, why dementia behavior changes, dementia and fear, dementia and dignity, emotional wheel of function, dementia and PTSD No Why Dementia Behavior Doesn't Make Sense (Until You Look at the Senses) 1 1 Why Dementia Behavior Doesn't Make Sense (Until You Look at the Senses) full 1b73ba9e-baa3-4a09-bcb1-fa4f6e0b714b https://share.transistor.fm/s/f52ad7f3 Before you label another moment "just the dementia," ask the question that actually changes things: what is this person's brain actually taking in right now?

In this episode, Carlyn tells the story of a resident in long-term care who kept ending up on the floor, and the evaluation that turned up nothing: strong legs, steady balance, a normal gait. The falls didn't make sense until she started asking a different set of questions, not just how he was falling, but where and when. What she found in his room became the doorway into the first spoke of the Wheel of Function™: sensory function, and how much more it covers than most caregivers ever think to ask about.

The problem was never just about falls. Carlyn walks through why a person might suddenly refuse a shower, stop answering questions in a noisy room, or pull away from a familiar touch, and why each of those moments might be the brain's sensory system trying to communicate something the words can't. She traces the shift from asking "how do we stop this behavior" to asking "what is this person's brain actually seeing, hearing, and feeling right now," and why that one change opens up entirely different options for care.

In This Episode

  • The evaluation that found nothing wrong
  • What a maroon bedspread had to do with it
  • Why "refusing" a shower might be a sensory response
  • The question that turns behavior into a clue
  • What's coming next in the series

Connect with Carlyn

FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care -> https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=ep4_shownotes

Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia

If this one hit close to home, follow the show so you catch what's next: another spoke of the Wheel of Function™, and how it connects to everything we covered today.


]]> Before you label another moment "just the dementia," ask the question that actually changes things: what is this person's brain actually taking in right now?

In this episode, Carlyn tells the story of a resident in long-term care who kept ending up on the floor, and the evaluation that turned up nothing: strong legs, steady balance, a normal gait. The falls didn't make sense until she started asking a different set of questions, not just how he was falling, but where and when. What she found in his room became the doorway into the first spoke of the Wheel of Function™: sensory function, and how much more it covers than most caregivers ever think to ask about.

The problem was never just about falls. Carlyn walks through why a person might suddenly refuse a shower, stop answering questions in a noisy room, or pull away from a familiar touch, and why each of those moments might be the brain's sensory system trying to communicate something the words can't. She traces the shift from asking "how do we stop this behavior" to asking "what is this person's brain actually seeing, hearing, and feeling right now," and why that one change opens up entirely different options for care.

In This Episode

  • The evaluation that found nothing wrong
  • What a maroon bedspread had to do with it
  • Why "refusing" a shower might be a sensory response
  • The question that turns behavior into a clue
  • What's coming next in the series

Connect with Carlyn

FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care -> https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=ep4_shownotes

Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia

If this one hit close to home, follow the show so you catch what's next: another spoke of the Wheel of Function™, and how it connects to everything we covered today.


]]> Mon, 17 Aug 2026 07:00:00 -0400 Carlyn Lenfestey Watch on YouTube Carlyn Lenfestey 1352 Before you label another moment "just the dementia," ask the question that actually changes things: what is this person's brain actually taking in right now?

In this episode, Carlyn tells the story of a resident in long-term care who kept ending up on the floor, and the evaluation that turned up nothing: strong legs, steady balance, a normal gait. The falls didn't make sense until she started asking a different set of questions, not just how he was falling, but where and when. What she found in his room became the doorway into the first spoke of the Wheel of Function™: sensory function, and how much more it covers than most caregivers ever think to ask about.

The problem was never just about falls. Carlyn walks through why a person might suddenly refuse a shower, stop answering questions in a noisy room, or pull away from a familiar touch, and why each of those moments might be the brain's sensory system trying to communicate something the words can't. She traces the shift from asking "how do we stop this behavior" to asking "what is this person's brain actually seeing, hearing, and feeling right now," and why that one change opens up entirely different options for care.

In This Episode

  • The evaluation that found nothing wrong
  • What a maroon bedspread had to do with it
  • Why "refusing" a shower might be a sensory response
  • The question that turns behavior into a clue
  • What's coming next in the series

Connect with Carlyn

FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care -> https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=ep4_shownotes

Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia

If this one hit close to home, follow the show so you catch what's next: another spoke of the Wheel of Function™, and how it connects to everything we covered today.


]]> sensory changes in dementia, dementia behavior, sensory overload dementia, dementia visual perception, why dementia patients fall, Wheel of Function No Why Does Dementia Information Feel So Scattered and Overwhelming? 1 1 Why Does Dementia Information Feel So Scattered and Overwhelming? full 251562b7-340c-4065-ba2c-ea8fc590a127 https://share.transistor.fm/s/5dadfe67 Before you take another course or read another article, ask the question that actually changes things: how does this all connect?

In this episode, Carlyn tells the story of a dementia course she took in Nashville almost ten years before she ever started A Better Way, and the question that followed her home afterward: she believed everything she'd just learned, so why couldn't she picture how any of it fit together? That question sat with her through years of treating patients and leading family workshops, watching good, true information pile up in disconnected pieces instead of one usable picture.

The problem was never a lack of information. Most families and professionals already have plenty of it, scattered across courses, research, and well-meaning advice that rarely agrees on where to start. Carlyn walks through the bicycle wheel she used to teach families, and why it worked right up until the next important idea refused to fit next to it. She traces the years of quietly testing, sketching, and rethinking that followed, and the unexpected question, sparked by her own logo, that finally connected everything into what she now calls the Wheel of Function™.

In This Episode

  • Why more information rarely solves the real problem
  • The bicycle wheel that worked, until it didn't
  • The question a lighthouse accidentally asked
  • How ten years of scattered ideas became one framework
  • What's coming next in the series

Connect with Carlyn
FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care -> https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=ep3_shownotes
Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia

If this one hit close to home, follow the show so you catch what's next: how each spoke of the Wheel of Function™ actually works.

DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or a licensed physical therapist before starting any new exercise routine, using assistive devices, or following the recommendations mentioned. Every individual's needs are different, and professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and appropriateness of care.

]]> Before you take another course or read another article, ask the question that actually changes things: how does this all connect?

In this episode, Carlyn tells the story of a dementia course she took in Nashville almost ten years before she ever started A Better Way, and the question that followed her home afterward: she believed everything she'd just learned, so why couldn't she picture how any of it fit together? That question sat with her through years of treating patients and leading family workshops, watching good, true information pile up in disconnected pieces instead of one usable picture.

The problem was never a lack of information. Most families and professionals already have plenty of it, scattered across courses, research, and well-meaning advice that rarely agrees on where to start. Carlyn walks through the bicycle wheel she used to teach families, and why it worked right up until the next important idea refused to fit next to it. She traces the years of quietly testing, sketching, and rethinking that followed, and the unexpected question, sparked by her own logo, that finally connected everything into what she now calls the Wheel of Function™.

In This Episode

  • Why more information rarely solves the real problem
  • The bicycle wheel that worked, until it didn't
  • The question a lighthouse accidentally asked
  • How ten years of scattered ideas became one framework
  • What's coming next in the series

Connect with Carlyn
FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care -> https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=ep3_shownotes
Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia

If this one hit close to home, follow the show so you catch what's next: how each spoke of the Wheel of Function™ actually works.

DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or a licensed physical therapist before starting any new exercise routine, using assistive devices, or following the recommendations mentioned. Every individual's needs are different, and professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and appropriateness of care.

]]> Mon, 10 Aug 2026 07:00:00 -0400 Carlyn Lenfestey Watch on YouTube Carlyn Lenfestey 778 Before you take another course or read another article, ask the question that actually changes things: how does this all connect?

In this episode, Carlyn tells the story of a dementia course she took in Nashville almost ten years before she ever started A Better Way, and the question that followed her home afterward: she believed everything she'd just learned, so why couldn't she picture how any of it fit together? That question sat with her through years of treating patients and leading family workshops, watching good, true information pile up in disconnected pieces instead of one usable picture.

The problem was never a lack of information. Most families and professionals already have plenty of it, scattered across courses, research, and well-meaning advice that rarely agrees on where to start. Carlyn walks through the bicycle wheel she used to teach families, and why it worked right up until the next important idea refused to fit next to it. She traces the years of quietly testing, sketching, and rethinking that followed, and the unexpected question, sparked by her own logo, that finally connected everything into what she now calls the Wheel of Function™.

In This Episode

  • Why more information rarely solves the real problem
  • The bicycle wheel that worked, until it didn't
  • The question a lighthouse accidentally asked
  • How ten years of scattered ideas became one framework
  • What's coming next in the series

Connect with Carlyn
FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care -> https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=ep3_shownotes
Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia

If this one hit close to home, follow the show so you catch what's next: how each spoke of the Wheel of Function™ actually works.

DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or a licensed physical therapist before starting any new exercise routine, using assistive devices, or following the recommendations mentioned. Every individual's needs are different, and professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and appropriateness of care.

]]> dementia information overwhelming, understanding dementia behavior, dementia care framework, connecting dementia information, Wheel of Function Framework No Why Won't Any Dementia Strategy Work Anymore? 1 1 Why Won't Any Dementia Strategy Work Anymore? full fe361a36-3fa2-4636-ab20-d8fb72502a48 https://share.transistor.fm/s/1a5eaebe Before you try another redirect or distraction, ask the one question that actually changes things: what's going on?

In this episode, Carlyn tells the story of a husband in one of her support groups who'd tried everything, redirecting, distracting, reassuring, validating, and still felt like nothing worked. That conversation cracked open a shift in how she thinks about every hard moment in dementia care.

The strategies most of us are taught (redirect, distract, validate, reassure) aren't wrong. But handing them out before understanding what's actually happening is like a physical therapist prescribing exercises before ever evaluating what's causing the pain. Carlyn walks through why the same behavior, like refusing a shower, can come from five completely different causes, and why the question "what's really going on?" has to come before any response.

In This Episode

  • Why "I've tried everything" usually means someone skipped a step, not that they failed
  • The physical therapy parallel: evaluate before you treat
  • Why the same behavior can have completely different causes
  • The one question to ask before reaching for another strategy
  • What's coming next in the series

Connect with Carlyn
FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care -> https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=ep2_shownotes
Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia

If this one hit close to home, follow the show so you catch what's next: how to organize the answers once you're asking better questions.

DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or a licensed physical therapist before starting any new exercise routine, using assistive devices, or following the recommendations mentioned. Every individual's needs are different, and professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and appropriateness of care.




]]> Before you try another redirect or distraction, ask the one question that actually changes things: what's going on?

In this episode, Carlyn tells the story of a husband in one of her support groups who'd tried everything, redirecting, distracting, reassuring, validating, and still felt like nothing worked. That conversation cracked open a shift in how she thinks about every hard moment in dementia care.

The strategies most of us are taught (redirect, distract, validate, reassure) aren't wrong. But handing them out before understanding what's actually happening is like a physical therapist prescribing exercises before ever evaluating what's causing the pain. Carlyn walks through why the same behavior, like refusing a shower, can come from five completely different causes, and why the question "what's really going on?" has to come before any response.

In This Episode

  • Why "I've tried everything" usually means someone skipped a step, not that they failed
  • The physical therapy parallel: evaluate before you treat
  • Why the same behavior can have completely different causes
  • The one question to ask before reaching for another strategy
  • What's coming next in the series

Connect with Carlyn
FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care -> https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=ep2_shownotes
Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia

If this one hit close to home, follow the show so you catch what's next: how to organize the answers once you're asking better questions.

DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or a licensed physical therapist before starting any new exercise routine, using assistive devices, or following the recommendations mentioned. Every individual's needs are different, and professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and appropriateness of care.




]]> Mon, 03 Aug 2026 07:00:00 -0400 Carlyn Lenfestey Watch on YouTube Carlyn Lenfestey 782 Before you try another redirect or distraction, ask the one question that actually changes things: what's going on?

In this episode, Carlyn tells the story of a husband in one of her support groups who'd tried everything, redirecting, distracting, reassuring, validating, and still felt like nothing worked. That conversation cracked open a shift in how she thinks about every hard moment in dementia care.

The strategies most of us are taught (redirect, distract, validate, reassure) aren't wrong. But handing them out before understanding what's actually happening is like a physical therapist prescribing exercises before ever evaluating what's causing the pain. Carlyn walks through why the same behavior, like refusing a shower, can come from five completely different causes, and why the question "what's really going on?" has to come before any response.

In This Episode

  • Why "I've tried everything" usually means someone skipped a step, not that they failed
  • The physical therapy parallel: evaluate before you treat
  • Why the same behavior can have completely different causes
  • The one question to ask before reaching for another strategy
  • What's coming next in the series

Connect with Carlyn
FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care -> https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=ep2_shownotes
Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia

If this one hit close to home, follow the show so you catch what's next: how to organize the answers once you're asking better questions.

DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or a licensed physical therapist before starting any new exercise routine, using assistive devices, or following the recommendations mentioned. Every individual's needs are different, and professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and appropriateness of care.




]]> why dementia strategies stop working, why won't dementia behavior strategies work, understanding dementia behavior instead of managing it, redirect distract validate reassure dementia, dementia caregiver nothing is working, why does my person with dementia refuse to shower, dementia behavior as communication not symptom No Why Does Someone With Dementia Try to Go to Work? Learning to Read the Signal 1 1 Why Does Someone With Dementia Try to Go to Work? Learning to Read the Signal full 2e19f451-88ae-4022-ad26-91474e0710b3 https://share.transistor.fm/s/389d575d Everyone around him called it confusion. Carlyn came to see it differently, and that shift changed everything.

In this first episode of Navigating Dementia, Carlyn shares the story that started it all: her grandfather Steve, a small-town shopkeeper in Limestone, Maine, who spent his mornings getting dressed for work, for a store that had burned down years before.

That shift in perspective became the foundation for A Better Way: Dementia Care Solutions. It's the story behind why this show exists, and why Carlyn believes behavior is never the problem, it's always the signal.

In This Episode

  • The story of Carlyn's grandfather Steve and the store that burned down
  • Why what looked like confusion wasn't confusion at all
  • How that shift in perspective became the foundation of A Better Way: Dementia Care Solutions
  • What to expect from Navigating Dementia going forward

Connect with Carlyn
FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care -> https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=ep1_shownotes
Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia

If this story sat with you, follow the show so you don't miss what's next.

DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or a licensed physical therapist before starting any new exercise routine, using assistive devices, or following the recommendations mentioned. Every individual's needs are different, and professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and appropriateness of care.


]]> Everyone around him called it confusion. Carlyn came to see it differently, and that shift changed everything.

In this first episode of Navigating Dementia, Carlyn shares the story that started it all: her grandfather Steve, a small-town shopkeeper in Limestone, Maine, who spent his mornings getting dressed for work, for a store that had burned down years before.

That shift in perspective became the foundation for A Better Way: Dementia Care Solutions. It's the story behind why this show exists, and why Carlyn believes behavior is never the problem, it's always the signal.

In This Episode

  • The story of Carlyn's grandfather Steve and the store that burned down
  • Why what looked like confusion wasn't confusion at all
  • How that shift in perspective became the foundation of A Better Way: Dementia Care Solutions
  • What to expect from Navigating Dementia going forward

Connect with Carlyn
FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care -> https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=ep1_shownotes
Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia

If this story sat with you, follow the show so you don't miss what's next.

DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or a licensed physical therapist before starting any new exercise routine, using assistive devices, or following the recommendations mentioned. Every individual's needs are different, and professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and appropriateness of care.


]]> Mon, 27 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400 Carlyn Lenfestey Watch on YouTube Carlyn Lenfestey 714 Everyone around him called it confusion. Carlyn came to see it differently, and that shift changed everything.

In this first episode of Navigating Dementia, Carlyn shares the story that started it all: her grandfather Steve, a small-town shopkeeper in Limestone, Maine, who spent his mornings getting dressed for work, for a store that had burned down years before.

That shift in perspective became the foundation for A Better Way: Dementia Care Solutions. It's the story behind why this show exists, and why Carlyn believes behavior is never the problem, it's always the signal.

In This Episode

  • The story of Carlyn's grandfather Steve and the store that burned down
  • Why what looked like confusion wasn't confusion at all
  • How that shift in perspective became the foundation of A Better Way: Dementia Care Solutions
  • What to expect from Navigating Dementia going forward

Connect with Carlyn
FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care -> https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=ep1_shownotes
Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia

If this story sat with you, follow the show so you don't miss what's next.

DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or a licensed physical therapist before starting any new exercise routine, using assistive devices, or following the recommendations mentioned. Every individual's needs are different, and professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and appropriateness of care.


]]> dementia caregiving, Alzheimer's care, caregiver support, dementia behavior, memory care, family caregiver No A Personal Welcome: There Has to Be a Better Way 1 1 A Personal Welcome: There Has to Be a Better Way trailer d37cc697-a86d-456c-ae31-24f59d72b779 https://share.transistor.fm/s/accfadf4 Welcome to Navigating Dementia.

If you've ever found yourself thinking, There has to be a better way, you're in the right place.

Most care partners are not looking for more information. They're looking for someone to help them make sense of what they're seeing. When dementia changes the way a person thinks, communicates, or responds to the world around them, it can leave you feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, and wondering if you're doing enough.

You are not alone.

Join physical therapist, dementia educator, and coach Carlyn Lenfestey each week for practical guidance, heartfelt stories, and a fresh perspective on dementia care. Drawing from more than 25 years of clinical experience and her own family's journey with dementia, Carlyn helps care partners look beyond the behavior, understand what it may be communicating, and respond with greater confidence and compassion.

Whether you're caring for a parent, spouse, friend, neighbor, or supporting people professionally, you'll find practical tools, encouragement, and a reminder that you don't have to navigate this journey alone.

Welcome. I'm so glad you're here.

In This Trailer

  •  Why Navigating Dementia was created 
  •  What you can expect from future episodes 
  •  A different way to think about dementia care 
  •  How this podcast will help you make sense of what you're experiencing


Connect with Carlyn
FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care ->https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=trailer_shownotes
Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia

If this sounds like the kind of support you've been looking for, be sure to follow the show so you don't miss an episode. I can't wait to navigate this journey with you.

DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or a licensed physical therapist before starting any new exercise routine, using assistive devices, or following the recommendations mentioned. Every individual's needs are different, and professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and appropriateness of care.

]]> Welcome to Navigating Dementia.

If you've ever found yourself thinking, There has to be a better way, you're in the right place.

Most care partners are not looking for more information. They're looking for someone to help them make sense of what they're seeing. When dementia changes the way a person thinks, communicates, or responds to the world around them, it can leave you feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, and wondering if you're doing enough.

You are not alone.

Join physical therapist, dementia educator, and coach Carlyn Lenfestey each week for practical guidance, heartfelt stories, and a fresh perspective on dementia care. Drawing from more than 25 years of clinical experience and her own family's journey with dementia, Carlyn helps care partners look beyond the behavior, understand what it may be communicating, and respond with greater confidence and compassion.

Whether you're caring for a parent, spouse, friend, neighbor, or supporting people professionally, you'll find practical tools, encouragement, and a reminder that you don't have to navigate this journey alone.

Welcome. I'm so glad you're here.

In This Trailer

  •  Why Navigating Dementia was created 
  •  What you can expect from future episodes 
  •  A different way to think about dementia care 
  •  How this podcast will help you make sense of what you're experiencing


Connect with Carlyn
FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care ->https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=trailer_shownotes
Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia

If this sounds like the kind of support you've been looking for, be sure to follow the show so you don't miss an episode. I can't wait to navigate this journey with you.

DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or a licensed physical therapist before starting any new exercise routine, using assistive devices, or following the recommendations mentioned. Every individual's needs are different, and professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and appropriateness of care.

]]> Sat, 18 Jul 2026 23:12:34 -0400 Carlyn Lenfestey Watch on YouTube Carlyn Lenfestey 73 Welcome to Navigating Dementia.

If you've ever found yourself thinking, There has to be a better way, you're in the right place.

Most care partners are not looking for more information. They're looking for someone to help them make sense of what they're seeing. When dementia changes the way a person thinks, communicates, or responds to the world around them, it can leave you feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, and wondering if you're doing enough.

You are not alone.

Join physical therapist, dementia educator, and coach Carlyn Lenfestey each week for practical guidance, heartfelt stories, and a fresh perspective on dementia care. Drawing from more than 25 years of clinical experience and her own family's journey with dementia, Carlyn helps care partners look beyond the behavior, understand what it may be communicating, and respond with greater confidence and compassion.

Whether you're caring for a parent, spouse, friend, neighbor, or supporting people professionally, you'll find practical tools, encouragement, and a reminder that you don't have to navigate this journey alone.

Welcome. I'm so glad you're here.

In This Trailer

  •  Why Navigating Dementia was created 
  •  What you can expect from future episodes 
  •  A different way to think about dementia care 
  •  How this podcast will help you make sense of what you're experiencing


Connect with Carlyn
FREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care ->https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=trailer_shownotes
Website -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/
LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutions
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/
YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia

If this sounds like the kind of support you've been looking for, be sure to follow the show so you don't miss an episode. I can't wait to navigate this journey with you.

DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or a licensed physical therapist before starting any new exercise routine, using assistive devices, or following the recommendations mentioned. Every individual's needs are different, and professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and appropriateness of care.

]]> Dementia Care, Alzheimer's Care, Dementia Caregiver, Family Caregiver, Dementia Support, Dementia Education, Person-Centered Care, Dementia Behaviors, Caregiver Support, Dementia Podcast No