July 24, 2024

It is well established that being a family caregiver for a loved one experiencing memory loss can be an overwhelming experience. Social isolation, the inability to afford respite, emotional and physical stressors, financial instability, and an uncertain future are but just a few. Moreover, many caregivers do not have access to the support they need to successfully mitigate the effects that these stressors can inflict upon them and their care receiver. Limited finances, a lack of knowledge regarding available resources, or an inadequate support system of family, friends, and community can keep family caregivers from availing themselves to adequate support and assistance for themselves and their loved ones. 

What is a Memory Café? 

A memory café is a welcoming environment where care partners (a caregiver and care receiver) can obtain assistance addressing the common stressors. A memory cafe affords opportunities for care partners to engage in educational and supportive programming that reflects their culture, interests, and needs, as well as providing opportunities to make new friends and build community with people who understand what they’re going through and experience similar dynamics. Memory cafes’ are typically held two to four times per month for about two to four hours in community spaces such as faith-based organizations, community centers, libraries, and yes, even coffee shops!

What is Special About Our Memory Care Cafe?

With the support of the Stupski Foundation and in collaboration with DayBreak Adult Care, The Memory Care Café at Beth Eden is a pilot program that is creating a memory café model that will be easily replicated and implemented by similar organizations seeking to provide opportunities of education and support to members of the communities in which they serve. The Memory Care Café adds robust layers of services and programming not typically offered at traditional memory cafes. Layers of support are provided in collaboration with the care partners in targeting programming, activities and support designed specifically to ensure they are benefiting from the provided opportunities.

The Memory Care Café Goals for Family Caregivers:

The Memory Care Café focuses on several areas of support for family caregivers, such as opportunities for socialization that minimize feelings of isolation, providing education and resources about caregiving, guest speakers who provide informative interactive presentations and a support group that fosters the expansion of knowledge, resources, skills and the building of community relevant to caregiving duties and self-care. As the pilot progresses, “lite-respite” is planned to be added to give caregivers the opportunity to get a break from caregiving and to recharge their “batteries,” however that may look. 

The Memory Care Café Goals for Care Receivers:

Goals for care receivers include addressing isolation by increasing peer socialization and community and maintaining and improving cognitive function through interactive programming engagement that reflects the attendees’ needs, interests and culture. Providing engaging physical activities that promote the prevention of injuries, as well as having access to fall prevention equipment to reduce the risk of injuries (i.e.: walkers, rollators, canes) and minor home modifications referrals (i.e.: ramps, door widening, toilet lifts, etc.) promote in-home mobility and independence. 

How Can You Participate in The Memory Care Café at Beth Eden? 

Scan the QR code below, complete the brief questionnaire and a staff member will reach out to you to discuss if your caregiving circumstances are a fit with the Memory Care Café pilot.

– Roger Skillin, M.S.

Operations Manager at DayBreak

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