About The Dementia Collaborative
The Dementia Collaborative offers education and training to families and professionals who care for individuals living with dementia.
Here, we bring together evidence-backed training, practical tools, and compassionate support for both clinicians and care partners. Through professional courses, family consultations, agency trainings, and community education, my mission is to elevate dementia care, build confidence, and help people living with dementia experience more dignity, comfort, and engagement in daily life.
How it Began: Day By Day Home Therapy to Dementia Consulting
I founded Day By Day Home Therapy in 2016 to provide in-home occupational therapy services to individuals living with dementia and their care partners across Southeastern Pennsylvania. Over time, the practice expanded to include telehealth sessions and Medicare Part B–based services throughout all of Pennsylvania and New Jersey and employed some of my favorite occupational therapists over the years.
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Providing this level of person-centered care was deeply meaningful, but it became clear that relying on Medicare reimbursement while trying to fairly compensate highly skilled clinicians was not financially sustainable. After careful consideration, I made the difficult decision to transition the practice away from insurance-based OT and toward fully out-of-pocket care partner consultations. This type of support aligned with both care partner needs and my long-term mission.
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With this shift came a new name, Dementia Consulting, which focused on education, care planning, and behavior support for families. As my work broadened to include professional training, course creation, and organizational partnerships, Dementia Consulting naturally evolved into what is now The Dementia Collaborative in 2020; a unified home for all of my programs, frameworks, and services.
Why This Work Matters: My Family
My passion for dementia care is deeply personal.
My grandmother, Norma Vees, passed away in 2015 after living with dementia. She was an incredible woman, a grounding presence in my life, and her experience profoundly shaped my understanding of what individuals and families need during this journey.
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The original name of my practice (Day By Day Home Therapy) was created in her honor. “Day” was her maiden name, and as many care partners know, supporting someone with dementia truly is a day-by-day experience. While I can no longer use the Day By Day name due to trademark issues, the spirit behind it continues to guide everything I do.
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My grandmother’s sisters, Aunt Doris and Aunt Jerry, also passed away from dementia. Their lives (and their shared maiden name) serve as a reminder of why this work matters. Through the Dementia Collaborative, I will continue to try to honor them by providing practical tools, compassionate guidance, and meaningful education to families, professionals, and communities.
Where I am Today
Today, my work focuses on delivering practical, evidence-based resources that make dementia care more compassionate and sustainable. I’m honored to train clinicians around the world, support families through personalized consultations, partner with agencies to improve dementia care systems, and create tools such as the C.A.R.E.™ Checklist and cognitive staging models to agencies.
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Whether I’m teaching, presenting, consulting, or supporting a caregiver through a difficult moment, my purpose remains the same: to empower people with knowledge, reduce overwhelm, and promote dignity and engagement for individuals living with dementia.
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Thank you for the opportunity to continue doing this work and for your support. If you are interested in learning more about my education and professional background or podcasts or presentations I've done, please check out the link below.
