Jaclyn Gatto has been nominated by her peers as our CDP of the year. Jaclyn holds a Bachelors Degree from Hunter College and a Masters Degree in Dance and Movement Therapy from the Pratt Institute. She first obtained her Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) in 2021 and has been making an impact as a dementia care expert, advocate and dance/movement therapist.
Jaclyn has worked for over five years as the Therapeutic Programming Manager at the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, developing innovative programs and providing recreational therapies. She developed the AFA Teal Room, a space for creative arts and recreational therapy for people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
“Jackie just has such an amazing connection with everyone in her workshops and knows all of the details. She also reaches out to aides outside of work hours and has built a beautiful community. She so thoughtful in her planning. . She brings people up and doesn’t look down. She’s a joy to work with and a joy to collaborate with as a professional. She’s always engaged and embedded in the workshops. She brings joy. I’m so thrilled for her to get this award, because she deserves this.” – Linda Cholodenko, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America & JCC, The Memory Project
Jaclyn developed the concept of the wildly successful AFA Teal Room. The Teal Room is a FREE therapeutic program for individuals living with Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. She hosts creative and varied programs two to four times a week for her community members. The classes range from live music, to yoga, music and dance therapy, painting, jewelry making, professional dancers, trivia or memory games, and much more! These programs are accessible through many stages of the disease—not an easy task! This ensures that individuals throughout the progression of the disease can participate in all of AFA’s programming.
These creative art therapies expand the world and lives of individuals and families of those with neurodegenerative disease. As a casual observer of the Teal Room programming I can see the attendees light up and open up through out the session. Jackie is dedicated to receiving feedback and evaluates her participants’ perception and satisfaction of the Teal Room programming and takes their recommendations to heart when creating new programs. She’s currently working to integrate some of the participants desire to assist in program facilitation—something that will take a lot of care and nuanced work. Instead of rebuffing this somewhat unorthodox request from a participant—a former teacher who glows when she gets to use some of her skills from her previous profession—she takes on the challenge to best serve her community. This is just one example of her not only providing excellent programming, but also showing her commitment to constant improvement and open feedback from her community members.
Not only does Jackie create a welcoming and nurturing environment during the Teal Room programs, but she also shows exceptional leadership in creating, planning, and conducting outreach to make the Teal Room the reality it is! She works and really runs the entire show herself. While the administrative actions do not always receive the same amount of praise and spotlight as her hands-on work IN the Teal Room, which is equally commendable, it is the backbone to ensure that the Teal Room runs as smoothly as it does and produces the meaningful therapeutic effect that she always strives to deliver.
Jaclyn has tirelessly and enthusiastically built up a community of caregivers and care partners, and has provided them with a diverse program of arts activities that includes film, music, dance and creative art activities. She has found amazing, empathetic performers and artists in NYC to contribute to her program. She effortlessly makes the participants feel seen and valued and has arranged a roster of stimulating activities. She has a high energy level, is very creative (and at the same time very meticulous and organized) and her energy and spirit inspire the group. Above all, she has fostered a sense of belonging within this community that is invaluable.
Jaclyn currently works with the Parker Jewish Institute’s Alzheimer’s Caregiver Initiative Grant as their Education and Community Engagement Specialist for their Willing Hearts, Helpful Hands program. This program provides resources, services, respite care and joint enrichment/wellness programs for families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia throughout Nassau and Suffolk County. Her role specifically brings Memory Cafes everywhere on Long Island. From painting classes at an art studio, a drum circle in an open community center, or a relaxing intimate lunch at a local restaurant, our social-based joint enrichment opportunities not only give respite to caregivers but provide opportunities for families to connect deeper beyond the challenges of the disease. Jaclyn also provides and coordinates free educational presentations on all topics regarding caregiving and dementia at local libraries and other locations.
