About Mary Crescenzo
Mary Crescenzo is one of five 2022 Individual Winners of the Maude’s Awards for Innovation in Dementia Care. She is an arts strategist/practitioner, master teaching artist, and mult-hyphenate creative whose work as an author spans genre of nonfiction, fiction, essay, reviews, and poetry in both commercial and literary markets, and as blogger and broadcaster. In the realm of theatre, she is playwright of Planet A, director, and actor. Her play, Planet A, is about the good, bad and ugly terrain of Alzheimer’s/dementia. In the world of music, Mary is a Jazz singer, lyricist and librettist and founder of MC3 - a Jazz trio.
As radio broadcaster, Mary is cohost of Dementia and the Arts™ with Lori LA Bey, founder of Alzheimer’s Speaks radio. Her radio experience as interviewer and cohost includes WPLJ-ABC/FM - NYC, and KMOD, Tulsa where she was the host and producer of Poets of Rock.
As public speaker and arts consultant for dementia-friendly conferences, universities, and community organizations, she is a pioneer in the field of community arts and an advocate for creating awareness of the benefits of art for all ages, specializing in those with Alzheimer’s/dementia, older adults and those with special needs populated in diverse settings and communities. As a master teaching artist for decades focusing on an intergenerational approach, her current focus is speaking and consulting on arts and social engagement for older adults, with a laser focus on those with Alzheimer’s/dementia.
She is a member of Dementia Map, a resource for all things Alzheimer’s/dementia, and an original roster member of Lifetime Arts, a national nonprofit encouraging creative aging and lifelong learning by promoting the inclusion of professional arts programs in community organizations that serve older adults.
On air with Mary
Mary discusses presenting at, and attending the ADI conference in Krakow, Poland
Dementia and the Arts™ with Mary Crescenzo & Lori La Bey: Interview with photographer Mark Timmons
Guest on Alzheimer’s Speaks with Lori La Bey
On Connecting Caregivers Radio With Linda Burhans
More Interviews (a sampling)
Media Coverage
More About Mary’s Work
Dementia Map
Mary is an active member of Dementia Map, the global resource directory for the dementia caregiving community.
Teaching Artists Guild
Supporting Teaching Artists. Roster member.
AlzAuthors - member/anthology contributor
Alzheimer’s and dementia books, blogs, and stories. Author Member. Mary is included in the AlzAuthors’ latest poetry anthology, Poetry for the Dementia Journey.
Circle Of - Essay on Motherhood
Family Caregiving App. Resource Member.
Lifetime Arts
The Creative Aging Resource. Original Roster Member.
Lecturer:
3 interactive Presentations for your Organization
"Arts and Alzheimer’s/Dementia: How the Arts Can Transform the Life of Your Loved One and Your Own," based on her book, The Planet Alzheimer’s Guide: 8 Ways the Arts Can Transform the Life of Your Loved One and Your Own - 90 minutes includes presentation, Q&A, book signing option.
Lecturer/Workshop facilitator of “Self-Care through Creative Writing for Carers: Respite, Relaxation, Rejuvenation and Revelation,” based on Chapter 8 of Mary’s book, The Planet Alzheimer’s Guide: 8 Ways the Arts Can Transform the Life of Your Loved One and Your Own, which offers a safe and creative way for personal or professional carers, family and friends, and medical professionals in the field of Alzheimer’s/dementia to release and manage thoughts and feelings on paper - 90 minutes includes presentation, Q&A, book signing option.
"Breaking the Mold About Getting Old: Myths and Stereotypes About Older Adults and How Creative Aging Can Enrich Our Lives” - 90 minutes includes presentation, Q&A, book signing option.
Contact Mary to schedule an in-person or virtual presentation of any of the above presentations.