Welcome to Creating Frameworks - Dementia and Activity Engagement Resources

Dementia Communication, Approaches, and Engagement Consulting for

Your Family or Community

What We Do

Dementia Family Consulting

The D word. I will never forget the day my mom called me and said, "The Dr. says I have the D word." I replied "Diabetes?" She said, "No worse.....Dementia." This is a conversation no family wants to have, but often what is missed is the next steps. Finding out the why, what is your baseline, and strategies that help you maintain your best life is the next steps you should take.

If you and your loved one or family member are navigating the Dementia path and feel lost and uncertain about why things are changing we provide consulting, education, and a detailed personalized guide to living your best life with Dementia.

We can help and answer the WHYS!

Community Consulting

Creating Frameworks was created to provide communities guidance on how to best communicate , guide, and care for people with dementia. With over 30 years of experience our goal is to bring successful purposeful engagement knowledge to your team. We developed Creative Frameworks to provide your team the needed answers to why and how. We focus on utilizing retained brain abilities to improve communication, understanding, and a way to see the world through the eyes of someone with Dementia. We are confident your team will be experts on person centered stratergies that give your residents their confidence and purpose back.

Engagement Consulting

Creative Frameworks provides MEPAP 1 and 2 classes. The Modular Education Program for Activity Professionals (MEPAP) is the curriculum required to earn NCCAP Certification. MEPAP is structured as a two-part program involving a total of 180 hours of educational learning and 180 hours of experiential learning. Each part consists of 90 hours of coursework and 90 hours of practicum assignments.

MEPAP Part 1 prepares students for the essential functions and duties of a professional seeking to work in an activity, recreation or programming career. Students will learn to design, deliver and evaluate engaging services for older adults across the continuum of care.
MEPAP Part 2 prepares students to apply principles of management in their role as an professional seeking to work in an activity, recreation or programming career. Students will learn leadership, advocacy, using principles of planning, organizing, staffing, and directing skills.

Our Team

Cara Ellis

With the goal of helping people with Dementia live their best lives, Cara Ellis, BS, CDP, RD, CPIT, ACC, CMDCP has focused her career on promoting brain health and how to utilize retained cognitive abilities and strengths.

Cara has provided memory care services in the areas of adult day health, acute care, long term care, and assisted living care for over 25 years. She received her degree from Framingham State where she was involved in the Framingham Heart study with a focus on diet, cardiac, and cognitive relations.

Key prior roles include East Division Director of Dementia and Recreation Services, Regional Dementia Specialist, and Mid-Atlantic Regional Dementia Director for a startup business focused on day programs for people with Dementia. She has received recognition for her lectures on Dementia Dining, Strength Based Care, and The Power of Daily Life Engagement.

During her lengthy career Cara obtained certifications as a Certified Dementia Practitioner, Certified Activity Consultant, Crisis Prevention Intervention Trainer, and a Certified Montessori Dementia Care Professional.