Lutheran Community Services Northwest (LCSNW), in partnership with the Lutheran Church of St. Paul in Graham, is hosting a new Memory Cafe beginning June 13 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the church, located at 22419 108th Ave. E.
Memory Cafes are social events for those living with dementia and their care partners. Participants meet regularly for coffee and conversation in a supportive setting to enjoy the moment together. After its debut this month, the Graham group will meet monthly on the second Wednesday of each month. Folks with memory loss at any stage, along with their care partners, friends and family, “are invited to join us to share stories, snacks, laughter and music with others in the same situation,†and also to find out about available resources, said Deb Dennison of LCSNW’s Caregiver Support program.
Memory cafes, sometimes called Alzheimer’s cafes, began in Europe 20 years ago and have since become an integral part of dementia-friendly communities. LCSNW-hosted Memory Cafes in Tacoma, Gig Harbor and Puyallup, along with Alzheimer’s cafes throughout King County, have helped families feel normal again through contact with each other, Dennison said.
Social isolation, more common in rural communities like Graham, has been shown to have an impact on cognitive decline among an aging population, according to LCSNW. Research has shown that individuals, particularly those living alone, are at an increased risk of developing dementia when they aren’t interacting with other people. A memory cafe, along with support groups, faith communities, service and social clubs, and neighborhood gatherings can help decrease that risk.
Additional information is available from Dennison at ddennison@lcsnw.org and 253-722-5682.
LCSNW is a non-profit social services agency. Other programs based at its South Puget Sound office in Tacoma that are specifically for caregivers and those with memory loss include Homecare respite services, Support U: Fostering Caregiver Wellness (classes on caregiving), the Early Stage Memory Loss Zoo Walk (in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association), Senior Friends and Senior Companions.