Memory cafés are expanding across the United States, mirroring the dramatic increase in Americans who have or are expected to have Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) in coming years. By offering social support and connection, socialization, health, and wellbeing to participants (at any stage of disease progression) – and importantly, to their caregivers – in a welcoming environment, memory cafés are also of increasing interest to funders for the critical need they meet and unique supports they provide.

Memory cafés take place in community venues, including libraries, coffee shops and restaurants, houses of worship, performing arts and other community centers, senior centers, assisted living centers, and other locations. Led consistently by a single host who often works with a small team (often including volunteers) to manage tasks from check-in to food service, activities, and socialization, each café usually meets for two hours once or twice a month and operates on a drop-in basis.

Memory cafés take place in community venues, including libraries, coffee shops and restaurants, houses of worship, performing arts and other community centers, senior centers, assisted living centers, and other locations. Led consistently by a single host who often works with a small team (often including volunteers) to manage tasks from check-in to food service, activities, and socialization, each café usually meets for two hours once or twice a month and operates on a drop-in basis. Cafés provide a setting to listen to music, sing, play games, engage in the arts, socialize, and share community with those living with memory loss and other cognitive challenges. Caregivers do not “drop off” their loved ones; rather, the care partner, whether a friend, spouse or other relative, or a paid caregiver, enjoys activities together with the guest. In fact, a clinical diagnosis typically is not required to attend a café, as the focus is not on the illness but on engagement in activities to improve memory and brain health, keeping attendees mentally and socially active and with a positive, supportive experience for the caregiver, as well.

The host or facilitator is trained to offer guidance, respond to questions and requests for resources, is welcoming, and ideally has experience interacting with people who have ADRD. Volunteers often support café set-up, sign-in, socializing, and oversight. In addition, most memory cafés include access to at least one professional (nurse, social worker, or counselor) who can speak with caregivers or persons with ADRD about dementia-related issues and concerns, and about caregiving resources and supports. This is often the role of professional staff from the Alzheimer’s Association or county offices for the aging.

Read the full article about memory cafes by Lisa Payne Simon at The Philanthropic Initiative.