What Is a Memory Café?
Originating in the Netherlands, Dutch psychiatrist Dr. Bere Miesen introduced a memory café in 1997 to break the stigma associated with dementia. A memory café is a meeting place for caregivers and individuals living with memory and/or cognitive changes, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia disorders. Memory cafés offer caregivers and individuals with dementia a space to socialize in an inclusive and supportive environment without fear of judgment or stigma.
Individual memory cafés are designed differently. Some memory cafés may have criteria to “join” and many require pre-registration. Some memory cafés are activities-based, such as arts and crafts, some focus on education, and others include food and conversation. It is important to reach out to the organizer of the memory café to ask questions you may have so you know what to expect. Each memory café is unique, and it is important for you to determine what is a good fit for you. It is also important to keep in mind that as Alzheimer’s disease progresses, a memory café may no longer be the right fit.
What a Memory Café is Not:
A memory café is not respite for the caregiver. Most memory cafés ask that the caregiver attend with the person with dementia. Because of this, memory cafés can be a great place for caregivers to connect with other caregivers. Memory cafés can also be an outlet for caregivers and individuals with dementia to connect and spend time together outside the home.
A memory café is not a workshop or educational presentation about dementia. While some memory cafés may include discussion topics, the focus of a memory café is not education about the disease. A memory café is also not a support group. Many memory cafés are managed by professionals with training and education working with individuals with cognitive impairments. However, memory cafés are not facilitated support groups or therapy groups.
Throughout the course of the disease, individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia disorders as well as their family caregivers often feel little social support, and often feel isolated. A memory café can be a wonderful place to relax, have fun, and meet others with shared experiences.
Alzheimer’s New Jersey has compiled a list of Memory Cafés in New Jersey as of January 2024. This list is not an endorsement and may not be all inclusive.
For more information about Memory Cafés in New Jersey, and for help determining if a Memory Café is the right fit for you, please give us a call on our Helpline 888-280-6055.
