Thanks for subscribing to the Memory Hub Newsletter, your source of the latest news, events, and resources at our vibrant community center for people living with memory loss, their families, and all who support a dementia-friendly community. This dynamic space is operated by the UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center, alongside partners the Frye Art Museum, the Alzheimer's Association, Elderwise, Full Life Care, and Kin On Health Care Center.

thememoryhub.org 

• Our care consultant from the Alzheimer's Association acts as “Memory Navigator" to provide free 30-minute appointments to help you get connected with helpful memory loss resources. Learn more.

• Visit our Frame of Mind exhibit or view the virtual gallery.

• Our library/resource room provides a wide array of books about living well with memory loss and caregiving. View our titles.

• Maude's Garden, Washington's first public memory garden, offers a botanical oasis at the Memory Hub and hosts garden programs and art exhibits. Learn more.

Kin On Health Care Center officially joins the Memory Hub as an on-site collaborator

The Memory Hub team welcomed our new collaborator with a song in Chinese and English! Illustration created by Lalipat Phianhasin, graphic illustrator, UW de Tornyay Center.

At the Memory Hub, Kin On offers information, assistance and resources to Chinese-speaking individuals and families who may be impacted by dementia. They also provide Healthy Aging programs such as educational workshops, tai chi, karaoke and mahjong, for Chinese-speaking older adults to connect, learn and thrive. 

"We’re thrilled to officially welcome Kin On to the team,” says Memory Hub Director Marigrace Becker. “Kin On is well known for the culturally sensitive services they provide to Asian elders and their families, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the bridge Kin On provides to our Chinese-speaking neighbors and community.”

Every Monday afternoon at the Memory Hub, the sound of jubilant singing in the Mandarin Chinese language reverberates through the halls. A group of local community members are taking part in the Chinese Healthy Aging program, offered by Kin On Health Care Center on-site at the Memory Hub. The program includes culturally significant activities beloved among Asian elders, such as Tai Chi, karaoke, and mahjong. Read on about the evidence on health benefits of Tai Chi.

O'Dea high schoolers sang for our team when we celebrated the Memory Hub's 3rd Anniversary! Illustration created by Lalipat Phianhasin, graphic illustrator, UW de Tornyay Center.

In March, Memory Hub team members celebrated an increase in our public hours last year. It mattered. We saw an 80% increase in drop-in visitors to the Memory Hub, and collectively served over 3500+ people on-site, virtually and in our statewide outreach programs, up from 2,250 people in the previous year. “I’m incredibly proud of our team and grateful to our community of supporters,” says Memory Hub Director Marigrace Becker

Serving Up Smiles at Bridges Bistro

This month, we co-hosted the second run of Bridges Bistro - a unique dining experience in which the servers are individuals living with memory loss or dementia. Organized by Murano Senior Living and The Memory Hub, Bridges Bistro aims to build dementia awareness while providing a meaningful volunteer opportunity for people with dementia. We hope to be a bridge of connection between our neighbors with memory loss and dementia and the wider community. Read our recap.

Enjoy the new Maude's Garden Collection, a permanent art exhibit of works created by the Memory Hub community. The art depicts elements of the therapeutic green space at the Memory Hub and begins to build the garden's legacy.

View the installation in the Memory Hub Library or in the virtual exhibit.

Learn about all support, education, and engagement programs hosted at the Memory Hub, offered by the UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center and our on-site collaborators:

We want to hear from you!

This month we have been collecting ideas for what programs or events are a priority for the Memory Hub community this year. Brain health talks or dance classes? Support groups or caregiver education? Art workshops or community service programs?

Please take a moment to add your vote, by filling out this quick survey. Thank you!

Dementia Friends is changing the way people think, act, and talk about dementia. It’s energizing to see much-needed awareness continue to spread throughout the state.

Dementia Friends WA is seeking workplaces, organizations, and groups in Washington state who would like to host Dementia Friends Information Sessions. Many people are touched by dementia, whether they are experiencing changes themselves, are caring for someone living dementia, or know someone who is living with dementia or is caring for someone with dementia. Learn more

• April 2025 Dementia Friends Information Sessions - Across WA State

• View the Dementia Friends WA webpage for additional listings of volunteer interest overviews and champion trainings.

Do you resonate with the Elderwise artistic Spirit-Centered Care® approach? We currently have jobs and volunteer opportunities in our adult day programs in Seattle and Bellevue. Please see our our website for more information or contact info@elderwise.org to discuss opportunities and a visit to our programs. 

Caregiver Resource Summit, hosted by the Alzheimer's Association®

June 20, 2025, 10 am - 4 pm at Emerald Downs 2300 Ron Crockett Dr. Auburn, WA

The summit is a health fair-style event with a flexible schedule, allowing attendees to explore and connect at their own pace. A few presentations throughout the day will provide focused opportunities to learn about key caregiving topics.

Memory Navigator Consultation Services: At the Memory Hub, a care consultant from the Alzheimer's Association acts as “Memory Navigator" to provide free 30-minute appointments to help you get connected with helpful memory loss resources.

Monthly Orientation for People Recently Diagnosed with Memory Loss - See the 2025 schedule!

Have you recently been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or dementia? Join us for this introductory class. Get your questions answered by an expert panel including peer mentors who share strategies for living well with memory loss, and a MBWC medical provider. Learn more.

Garden Discovery Program - Spring 2025

Connect with nature and engage in nature-based projects at Maude's Garden with others living with memory loss and friends and family.

Photo: Runyon Colie

Explore the updated Creative Aging at the Frye webpage. Creative Aging offerings have grown, with the addition of new programming designed to inspire creativity and connection for all aging adults. Programs labeled Dementia-Friendly are thoughtfully designed for adults living with dementia and their care partners, emphasizing present-moment awareness and new possibilities for creative expression and engagement.

Maude's Garden

Maude's Garden, a therapeutic garden created for people living with dementia, is entering an exciting season. Flowers such as daffodils, wallflowers, and red flowering currant create vibrant colors and plants are leafing out. Humming birds visit this urban garden daily, amid the hustle and bustle of First Hill.

"It's amazing to me that when plants are young, they seem so delicate, yet they withstand cold and heavy rain and survive. Strength does not always look powerful," said a garden program participant.

The garden has some news sensory features, including some signage encouraging visitors to smell, touch, look, or listen. These are thanks to Maddy McKee, an accelerated bachelor's student at UW School of Nursing, who was awarded a Mary Gates Leadership Scholarship to study memory gardens and create a sensory garden activity for the Memory Hub.

The garden is open to the public Monday - Thursday, 9am - 4pm. Contact gwanucha@uw.edu with questions.

In today's Garden Discovery program, participants enjoyed the garden and focused in on pussy willows. "Pussy willows are a symbol of resilience, renewal and the approaching spring," said Dawn Robinson, our horticultural therapy practitioner who led the day's hand-on creative project. Participants worked with their partner to create wreaths of pussy willow, dried flowers, and moss. A participant said that the project reminded him of the pussy willows in his backyard when he was a child and how rabbits would dig their den right below the plant.

The project encouraged a deep level of collaboration and concentration, but also allowed the individual expression through the addition of decorative elements.

"It's therapeutic working with beautiful stuff. I'm at peace," said one caregiver.

The Garden Discovery Program is offered in partnership by the UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center and Seattle Parks and Recreation. The Garden Discovery Program is made possible by support from Aegis Living Assisted Living and Memory Care communities.



Community Resources

Applications for the 2025 Maude’s Ventures and Young Founders Program grants open on April 14. We value the unique perspectives and impactful solutions that young minds can offer in dementia care. If you’re an innovative young entrepreneur with a vision for positive change, we encourage you to apply! Learn More

Join Swedish Center for Healthy Aging for their 2025 Healthy Aging Summit from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Friday, April 18, at Mercer Island Community Center. Features a brain health lecture series and community resource fair with resources for people with memory loss and their families. Learn more.

NEW Memory Café at Seattle’s Northgate Library, 1-2:30 p.m. on Thursday April 3, and continuing every first Thursday of the month. A welcoming environment for conversation, refreshment, and more. Offered in partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation. Learn more.

New Memory Café in Ellensburg, from 1-3 p.m. on the 1^st and 3^rd Thursday of each month. Come together at Old Skool’s for informal conversation, music, and companionship with others experiencing memory loss. Learn more.