Memory Café: Social Activities for People with Dementia By DailyCaring Editorial Team
W
HAT IS A MEMORY CAFÉ? A Memory Café is a comfortable, supportive environment where people with dementia and their family caregivers can socialize, build support networks, and enjoy dementia-friendly activities together. These groups provide a welcoming space for people with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), memory impairment, memory loss, and people with other cognitive disorders like stroke survivors. Most Memory Café groups meet once or twice a month in local community locations like coffee shops, senior centers, parks, churches, libraries, or even museums. These groups are free to join and usually run by health care or social services professionals, nonprofit groups, or volunteers who coordinate activities, provide guidance, and respond to questions or requests for resources. We explain the benefits of Memory Cafés for people with dementia, typical activities, where they’re held, how to find one near you, and why they can’t be used for respite care.
Memory Café activities
Benefits of Memory Cafés for people with dementia
Staying socially active and engaged with the world helps delay Alzheimer’s and dementia symptoms. A Memory Café supports people living with dementia in meaningfully engaging with their community. It’s an engaging environment that helps stimulate conversation and social interaction. Plus, some people with dementia may display behaviors that make social outings uncomfortable for them or others. This often leads to loneliness and isolation for people with dementia and their caregivers. A Memory Café’s welcoming environment takes the stress out of going out in public and socializing. People living with dementia and their family caregivers don’t need to worry about being judged or misunderstood. They can socialize and enjoy each other’s company without feeling self-conscious. They’re also places where a dementia caregiver can get support and exchange information with other caregivers in similar situations. 6
Café listings that can be accessed from anywhere with an Each Memory Café is unique and will have its own focus, internet connection. though all offer opportunities for socializing. Some may be focused on dementia-friendly activities or A Memory Café isn’t respite care outings while others may focus on music, painting, crafts, Because it’s a supportive environment for people with conversation, exercise, or education. dementia, families often wonder if they can take their older Even though Memory Café activities vary, they all tend to adult to a Memory Café and leave to run errands or take a focus on topics that are likely to inspire pleasant memories break for an hour or two. of times gone by or laughter and positive feelings. However, a Memory Café isn’t a place to “drop off” your older adult for a while. A caregiver needs to accompany each person with dementia. Where are Memory Cafés held? Instead of thinking of it as a source of respite care, think Memory Cafés are offered in a wide variety of locations of a Memory Café as a place to enjoy social activities togeincluding: ther as a break from the normal routine. • Coffee shops Many seniors and caregivers miss the social activities • Restaurants and outings they used to enjoy before dementia symptoms • Hospitals made them too challenging. Regularly participating in Me• Libraries mory Cafés brings these activities back into their lives. • Museums Plus, don’t underestimate how supportive it can feel to • Conference rooms spend time with other dementia caregivers. Seeing that • Schools, colleges, and universities you’re not alone in this situation and being able to talk with • Community and senior centers others who truly understand is a great stress reducer. • Assisted living and other senior living communities •
Faith-based organizations
Find a Memory Café near you
The Memory Café Directory website has over 1,000 listings of Cafés located in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia. To find a Memory Café near you, first choose your country, then click on a state or region to see a list of all the Cafés in that area with descriptions and contact information for each. In addition, there are also nearly 200 virtual Memory OF THE DESERT THEPULSE HIGH
