About Mary Crescenzo
Mary Crescenzo is one of five 2022 Individual Winners of the Maude’s Awards for Innovation in Dementia Care. She is also a mult-hyphenate artist whose work as an author spans genre of nonfiction, fiction, essay, reviews, and poetry in both commercial and literary markets, and as blogger and podcaster. 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.
As a master teaching artist, public speaker, curricula developer and arts consultant for 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, including older adults and those with special needs, in diverse neighborhoods and settings. As a teaching artist for decades with an intergenerational approach, her current focus is on social engagement art for older adults, including those with Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
She is a 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.
Mary’s Video Interviews
On Alzheimer’s Speaks with Lori La Bey
On Connecting Caregivers Radio With Linda Burhans
More Interviews
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
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Books, Blogs, and Stories. Author Member.
Circle Of
Family Caregiving App. Resource Member.
Lifetime Arts
The Creative Aging Resource. Original Roster Member.
Public Speaker, Workshop Facilitator, Consultant, Arts Advocate
Public Speaker and Arts Advocate for Alzheimer/Dementia Care through the Arts, presentation entitled, "Arts and Alzheimer’s: 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
Public Speaker and Arts Advocate for Older Adults, presentation entitled, "Breaking the Mold About Getting Old: Myths and Stereotypes About Older Adults and How Creative Aging Can Enrich Our Lives”
Workshop facilitator of “Creative Writing for Care Partners: Respite, Relaxation and Revelation,” based on Chapter 8 of her book, The Planet Alzheimer’s Guide, which addresses a safe and creative way for personal or professional care partners, and medical professionals in the field of Alzheimer’s/dementia to release thoughts, feelings and frustrations in a private space on paper.
Consultant for Arts Programming in Community Settings: all ages, including older adults, focusing on a cultural and intergenerational approach