MEMORY CAFE'S, WHERE ARE THEY, DO YOU KNOW?

June 3, 2009, I was part of a panel of AD Afflicted and Caregivers before a conference conducted by Alz.Org with the AoA in Washington D.C. (A report of the meeting will follow as soon as I can get it drafted). When we discussed needs for those of us in Early Stage one of the experts recalled DASNI members from Europe talking about their Memory Cafe's where AD Afflicted and Caregivers met regularly for coffee and discussion.

Does anyone recall anything about them. I would like to get some kind of an idea, a model, anything about them to look at and to get something like that organized in the US.

I proposed that we need First Stop Places for people with newly diagnosed AD to learn from Peers what it's all about, we need regular places for support groups to meet, we need places to simply get together, talk, play cards, have peer contact, find the camaraderie of one another.

If anyone is doing anything anywhere in world, let me know, I am spearheading initiative from the grass roots of AD!

Hi Mike

I am 100% behind you! It's great to hear somebody who is as passionate about a "cause" as I feel. I have recently moved to the state of VA. I truly agree that we (afflicted persons) need the ability and place to meet, but, most importantly; a place to do this at. I brought this up at my local Alz Org in WV. they are trying to come up with a plan to implement, I think as we speak?

I will be contacting the Alz Org here in VA, Fredericksburg where I live. If you could give me an idea of what was accepted or not, I'd appreciate it. I feel this information will be beneficial when I go to the local Alz Org Here.

Thanks
M

Mike, most Memory Cafés are in U.K. countries (England has a pile, and there are some in Australia and New Zealand.)

There are also some here in the U.S. now:

http://www.alz.org/co/in_my_community_10798.asp

Memory Café
This special gathering is designed for people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s to share memories, music, and fun with caregivers, spouses, family members. In addition to great social interaction, information about Alzheimer’s disease and Association support services is also made available. Many regions hold picnics in the summer. Check with your local office for details.


The chapter in Minneapolis has an early stage support group, you could contact them to see if they have started a Memory Café or would be interested.
Alzheimer’s Association Minnesota-North Dakota Chapter, Minneapolis, MN 952-993-5848


If they know nothing about it, there are quite a few Memory Cafés in Colorado. Click on the following link to get a list of those, and other activities, put on by different Alz Assoc chapters in CO. There's contact info:

http://www.alzco.org/calendar2...x=71&imageField.y=15


There's also one that I found in Tennessee:
“Memory Café”
Alzheimer’s Support Group
for persons in Early Stage dementia
Monthly Meetings
Held at the Southeast Tennessee Chapter Office
Free Parking in CitiPark Parking Garage when we validate your ticket!
Call Sally Brewer for more information:
Southeast Tennessee Chapter
735 Broad Street, Suite 300, Chattanooga, TN 37402
(423) 265-3600 or 1-800-616-1922

There was one in Dallas don't know where though.......

Hi,

I would like to know more about these Memory Cafe's and how to get one started in my area!

Where do I begin?

Help!

Here is a website for adult day services in California, including some for AD patients.
http://www.caads.org/adultdday/adultday.html

Iris L.

Alan

Mike & JAB have been discussing "Memory Cafes". They also state that there are several in Colorado. Any way you might be able to check into this? Give us an idea how to go about implementing one in each state at the main level for the Alzheimer's Org?

You've been exposed to the medical community. Surely, one of your colleagues would have a contact that is familiar with neurologists.
Do you suppose that they (?) may help get word out on a professional level about our little "Memory Cafe" problem?

Think on it. I truly believe you can get some good info

M

Last week I visited Leeza's Place, which is a drop-in haven for patients and caregivers. It was started by Leeza Gibbons, the talk show host, whose grandmother and mother were afflicted by Alzheimer's disease. This is from the brochure:

"An intimate and safe setting where caregivers and those recently diagnosed with any neurological disorder can gather to prepare themselves for the challenging journey ahead.

Developed in response to the challenges Leeza and her family encountered while seeking specific and needed support, Leeza's Place is a potent source of education, empowerment and energy.

Open and free to the public, Leeza's Place is a multifaceted reprieve, for both caregivers and the recently diagnosed, that integrates educational programs, connective social activities, emotional support, and intergenerational programming designed to help caregivers navigate through their community's continuum of care.

What you can expect
The cornerstone of each Leeza's Place is a specially trained 'Leeza Care Advocate' whose primary responsibility is to guide caregivers and their loved ones in their important journey ahead. There is nothing ordinary about Leeza's Place--everything done here is designed to induce a more positive outcome for those whose lives have been turned upside down.

Each Leeza's Place has been carefully crafted to empower both the caregiver and the recently diagnosed by offering services that create self esteem, relieve symptoms, impart knowledge, reduce stress, promote inclusion, and ultimately improve the quality of life while helping the caregiver to acquire advocacy, coping and care-related skills.

Although services may vary from site to site, each Leeza's Place locale will provide programs that offer support on three levels - emotional, educational and social - for caregivers, families and their recently diagnosed loved ones."

There is much more. There are several locales around the country. You can visit www.leezasplace.org.

Iris L.

Envy. I am consumed with cold green, slimy envy.

quote:

Originally posted by Alan in Colorado:
Envy. I am consumed with cold green, slimy envy.

And are you doing that one-lip sided Elvis sneer as you are being consumed, compadre?

D & I will definitely check it out, thank you, Iris.

Bill

As a matter of fact Bill, I can do one mean sneer! Just on the left side of my face, for some reason, but it's a good one. Not sexy like Elvis though, mine looks more like a bug bit me.

I would love for Denver to have one of Leeza's places. Looks like she & her investors are going for retirement areas though. Denver has lots of retirees, but can't compete with Florida.