A dementia cafe, also known as a memory cafe, offers a safe place for Alzheimer’s families to gather, vent their frustrations, ask questions, and socialize with others. Family caregivers can attend, but their moms or dads also join with options for activities and socialization.
Caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s can be a lonely, isolating experience. There are many great moments, but it’s also a time of high stress, uncertainty, and frustration. Learning the best techniques for handling your daily stress is important. You also must socialize as much as possible.
What Happens During These Cafes?
During a scheduled dementia cafe, there’s often music, a craft or game, snacks, and beverages. It will vary from one location to the next.
Much of it comes down to the length of the cafe. If they’re only two hours long, a full movie may not be possible. A four-hour cafe will have more time for things like movies.
Some cafes are themed, such as a Price Is Right dementia cafe, where everyone can play mini-games and win small prizes. You might find yourself attending a Sunday Tea cafe or a sock hop.
Other memory cafes might have cookie tastings, paint and sips, Bingo, or a world travel experience where you watch a travel video, explore the country’s cuisine, and learn more about the music and culture. They help you de-stress, find support from others, and give your mom a chance to have fun with her peers.
How Do You Find Local Dementia Cafes?
Where can family caregivers find a local dementia cafe? Your local Alzheimer’s Association chapter is a good place to start. If there isn’t one they know of, you can ask a local hospital’s memory care program and check local libraries and senior centers.
Does your mom see a neurologist and memory care team? They’re generally an ideal resource for finding memory care programs that help family caregivers and their parents.
Do You Need a Break?
Are you finding yourself burned out and overwhelmed? Have you reached the point where you don’t care about yourself? Caregiver burnout is extremely common with Alzheimer’s caregivers, but there are steps to take to protect yourself while ensuring your mom has quality care.
When you don’t have a large support team, it can feel even more isolating. If you’re a single child, then you might not have anyone to help. It’s time to make sure you have someone else helping your mom.
Talk to a home care agency about your mom’s progression, and arrange Alzheimer’s care services. Trained caregivers will help her with mobility, feeding, personal care, and socialization.
You can step back, take care of yourself, and dedicate the time you have with your mom to quality time together, and not rushed housekeeping and personal care. Arrange Alzheimer’s care now and start focusing on self-care.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring Alzheimer’s Care in Sun Lakes, AZ, or anywhere in the East Valley, please contact the caring staff at Legacy Home Care.
Call (480) 777-0070
Legacy Home Care has been serving the valley since 2007. We are family owned and operated with over 75 caregivers. We offer a customized care plan that includes services such as: Hourly Senior Home Care, 24-Hour Home Care, Dementia Care, Personal Care and Companion Care. Also ask us about our Veterans' Home Care program.
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