The Alzheimer’s Society of Red Deer and Central Alberta has hosted a Memory Café at Kavaccino’s Café and Catering in Lacombe for a few months now.

The Memory Café is designed to discreetly support those living with dementia by providing them an accommodating sensory-friendly space with minimal sounds and distraction.

“There’s an opportunity to get together, socialize, and once again do some different reminiscing activities together and really begin to create that community of people who live with dementia every day,” explained Laurie Grande, Regional Lead in Client Services for the Alzheimer’s Society.

The café offers a community to both those who live with dementia and their caretakers by providing them with support from a trained volunteer. At the café, people meet with others who live in similar situations, thrive in their company, and share experiences.

“It is for people who have had a diagnosis and their caretaker. That could be a neighbour, it could be a spouse, it could be a daughter, it could be someone who is actively involved in supporting you to live well with dementia,” said Grande.  

The Memory Café provides a great opportunity for those living with dementia to participate in needed social activities those living with dementia might not have access to due to their diagnosis.

“It’s really important to provide opportunities like this because many people say once they receive a diagnosis that they feel that their status changes in the community. Many times, friends no longer call them to play cards in the evening or be involved with some of their regular social activities. It can be a very isolating disease,” explained Grande.  

To protect the privacy and dignity of those attending, the dates of the monthly café are not public.  If you are interested in participating in the Memory Café do not hesitate to call the Alzheimer’s Society of Red Deer and Central Alberta at 403-342-0448.

If you are interested in volunteering with the Alzheimer’s Society or gaining the training to support those with dementia you can also call the number listed above. The Alzheimer’s Society can provide you with a variety of ways to help those living with dementia that goes beyond the memory café.