This month, we're bringing back an inspiring story from our archives that remains relevant today. The article is a deep dive into a care partner's efforts to bring joy and connection to her friend Joe, a Tai Chi Master, in his memory care facility during the early days of the pandemic in 2021.

Knowing Joe’s love of music, Laure had an idea to engage and connect with him, even as they remained physically separated. She advocated and worked with the facility staff to have window meetings with him outside his room, waving to him through the glass and dancing along to a boombox.

“My goal was that he could be himself wherever he was, and he would be honored as himself wherever he was, and people wouldn’t be afraid of him,” Laure says. Within this space, Joe transformed back into Master, teaching tai chi classes to facility staff, caregivers, and residents—and to Laure and former students gathered on the lawn, watching him through the conference room window.  

Read the entire story [UW] by Cuong “TJ” Vu

Genevieve Wanucha is busy with progressively expanding work at UW Medicine, serving as the Communications Specialist for the Memory and Brain Wellness Center. She also works for the MBWC's Memory Hub community center, where she’s helping to innovate dementia support through physical, emotional, and artistic means. Read the spotlight by Claire Cuccio

The Memory Hub's Library and Resource Room is now a fully operational Lending Library!

Beginning this month, the Memory Hub is excited to announce that our Library and Resource Room is now a fully operational Lending Library and open for book borrowing! Books are available for check-out and return at the Front Desk during our open hours, Mon – Thu, 9 am – 4 pm. The lending period for each book is one month. With over 200 books dedicated to many different aspects related to Cognitive Changes, Memory Loss, and Dementia, including Coping, Caregiving, Living Well, Healthy Diets, and so much more, the Memory Hub Lending Library can be one more resource stop for you and your family. View the catalog online or stop in and explore the library in person.

The Alzheimer's Association Helps Community Advocates Reach Lawmakers

Memory Hub on-site collaborator the Alzheimer's Association, held the 2026 Advocacy Day on Jan. 29. "With their help, we were able to share our personal stories and policy priorities with lawmakers on behalf of the 126,700 people living with the disease and the 254,000 family caregivers in Washington."

 Memory Cafes are informal, social gatherings for people living with dementia and their care partners/caregivers. 

The Memory Cafe Expansion Project, with support from the Memory Cafe Alliance, is recruiting community members to participate in a no-cost training program that teaches you how to start and operate a community Memory Cafe in Washington. The UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center and the Memory Hub will be working with the Memory Cafe Alliance to start Memory Café trainings in 2026.

Learn more about the Memory Cafe Expansion Project [PDF]

Memory Navigator Consultation Services

Free 30-minute Memory Navigator appointments, offered by Kin On (Chinese and English) on Monday afternoons or by Nolia Health (English) on Tuesdays. Get support with memory loss or caregiving topics, including information and referrals to community resources.

Learn more about Memory Navigator

Books & Beats

2:30- 4 pm every 3rd Wednesday of the month. Each book is discussed for two months.

Caregivers will have a book discussion group led by the Seattle Public Library. People with memory loss will have a music engagement program led by a certified music therapist. In the last half hour, we'll come together for social time and snacks!

Flyer for 2026

Dancing Together

1 pm - 2 pm select Wednesdays: Mar. 4, Mar. 18

Join UW Medicine physician and dancer Dr. Julia Becke for Dancing Together- an adaptive dance class designed for people living with cognitive impairment and their care partners!

View Flyer for 2026

The Alzheimer's Café at the Memory Hub

Join the Frye Art Museum and the UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center for an uplifting time of social connection! A unique opportunity for people living with dementia, their care partners, family, and friends to enjoy companionship, artwork discussions, live music, snacks, and fun in a relaxed environment.

Upcoming:

Thurs. Feb. 19 at 2:30 - 4 pm Register

Dementia Friends Information Sessions

Dementia Friends are part of a dementia-friendly community. At our sessions we share information about dementia and brain health, tips for communicating with someone living with dementia, and ways to take action. Learn more and attend a Dementia Friends Information Session! The UW MBWC is proud to lead the Dementia Friends program in WA State on behalf of the Dementia Action Collaborative.

Garden Care Work Parties (2nd Monday of Every Month 1:30 - 3 pm)

Join us to volunteer in Maude's garden care. All are welcome, with a special invitation to persons with memory loss and their families. If you need physical or cognitive support in order to participate, please bring a care partner. Flyer

Upcoming: Mon. Feb. 12, 1:30

Shared Outdoor Adventures for Resilience Program (S.O.A.R) 2025-2026

With the S.O.A.R. (Shared Outdoor Adventures for Resilience) Program, reinforce your strengths and connect with others through monthly small group hikes and other outdoor adventures in the Seattle area, through June 2026. S.O.A.R is for people diagnosed with Alzheimer's or another dementia before age 65, with a family member or friend.

Virtual FTD Caregiver Support Group

A virtual support group for people caring for a loved one with frontotemporal degeneration. Every second Wednesday of the month 5:30 pm PT - 7 pm PT, on Zoom. For more information and the Zoom link, contact facilitators Dennis Kelly at dwkellyjr@gmail.com or Pooja Thorali at thoralip@uw.edu.

Flyer

Learn about all recurring programs hosted at the Memory Hub, offered by the UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center and our on-site collaborators by clicking on the Support, Education, and Engagement menu item on the Memory Hub website.