Ever hear of a memory café? It’s an informal community meetup for people who have dementia and whose cognitive struggles might tilt them toward withdrawing socially. The semi-organized café gatherings offer sanctuary from judgment and raised eyebrows, and provide group interactions that can engage attendees and bring joy to their lives.
“A memory café setting is intended to be a safe, inclusive space in the here and now. Usually, people with dementia leave feeling more connected or feeling like they had a good time,” said Katie Zeitler, a program manager with UW Medicine’s Memory & Brain Wellness Center in Seattle.
Washington’s first memory café opened in 2010. Without much shepherding, the model has spread to 32 cafés statewide today. Zeitler is leading an initiative to grow that number. She has planned a training series, some in person, some online, over the next three years. She hopes to attract people who might be inspired to host and manage a café in their community.