Symptoms include loss of memory, confusion and problems with speech and understanding. Little is understood about dementia. Victims are often portrayed as very elderly and unable to care for themselves. But dementia is complex. It can strike younger people and like any other disease or illness, a suitable programme of care can make all the difference.
When Margaret Ford from Age Concern approached PHA’s sheltered service manager, Carol Guard, about creating a memory café in one of PHA’s communal areas so began a project idea that is growing around the country…
Memory cafes are exactly that; a place to get drinks and snacks as well as helping to stimulate memories. Often long term memory remains intact but short-term memory is gradually destroyed which can obviously be very distressing. So this is a space to play board and memory games, take a break, celebrate, validate and reminisce and importantly, it’s also a place where carers can get some respite. Because as well as volunteers trained to work with dementia sufferers, there are volunteers to also support the people that care for them.
Some of the exercises include looking at a map of Britain and talking about all the places you’ve lived, others include picking a letter of the alphabet and then thinking of a flower, a place name, a girl’s name etc. The emphasis is being relaxed and having quality time. People are also encouraged to make memory boxes – filled with things that trigger memories.
The first meeting took place in May of this year in the Cherry Gardens communal lounge, and was such a success that Age Concern requested that all the cafes took place there. Unfortunately, it’s not a ‘drop in’ café – all of the people that attend have been referred from the memory clinic. The memory clinic is a six-week NHS session that people attend after being diagnosed with dementia. And that’s why Carol was so keen to help set up the café, “there didn’t seem to be much support after diagnosis. People would go to the clinic and then nothing. It must be very frightening to be diagnosed and then just left to cope. So the cafes offer support and friendship and they remind people that they are not on their own.”
It’s not just PHA and Age Concern that are involved, Penwith 50+ Forum, Penzance Inner Wheel, Mounts Bay Rotary Club and Penwith Pals who provide refreshments and transport all work to make the café a success.
The future looks promising, too. Potential memory cafes could be established in other group communal areas and there are also cafes in Launceston, Wadebridge and Bodmin (run by the council, details below). Wherever there is a comfortable place to meet, and dedicated and trained volunteers, memory cafes could flourish and sufferers and carers could get the support and time they need to relax and meet other people in the same situation.
If you have any good quality board games that you would like to donate to the Memory Cafe, please contact c.guard@penwithha.org.uk
Further information and support:
Alzheimers Society
http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/
enquiries@alzheimers.org.uk
0845 300 0336
Information and advice on all aspects of dementia, including a national helpline and informative website.
Local contact
West Cornwall & Isles of Scilly branch
01209 713 980 (Mon-Fri 10am - 4pm)
WestCornwall@alzheimers.org.uk
Confidential information and support line for people in Cornwall affected by Alzheimers Disease or other forms of dementia, carers and professionals. If you leave a message they will call you back.
Launceston Memory Café
Launceston Methodist Church,
Bingley Hall
Launceston
Every other Saturday from 2pm – 4pm.
Contact - Cym Downing
01566 774425
launceston.memorycafe@googlemail.com
Wadebridge Memory Café
St. Breock School
Wadebridge
Second and fourth Saturdays of each month from 2pm – 4pm
01872-266388
Bodmin Memory Café
Berdekesa Court,
Robartes Road
Bodmin
Contact - Kerry Banbury
07771 980181
CarersLine: 0808 808 7777 (Wed & Thurs 10.00-12.00 and 2.00-4.00)
info@carersuk.org
Provide information and advice to carers about their rights and how to get support. Also act as a campaigning voice for carers.
