The Memory Cafe: Fun for the Memory Loss Community
Denver Public Library, Colo.
Innovation Synopsis
"The Memory Cafe" is a social program for people with memory loss, along with friends and family. People come to the cafe for a fun, relaxing time without fear of stigma. They connect with resources and with their community. At "The Memory Cafe," people can just be themselves.
Challenge/Opportunity
People with memory loss experience depression, anxiety and social isolation. They retreat from the activities that used to bring them joy. They feel embarrassed by their memory loss and frightened. They also experience boredom. All of these things make their memory loss worse and negatively impact the quality of their lives. People with memory loss want to learn and enjoy life, but they have few opportunities to do so.
Key Elements of Innovation
"The Memory Cafe" provides an environment of acceptance in which people feel welcome and free to be themselves. The focus of the cafe is on fun with friends and family, social connection with others who are experiencing the same thing, and stimulation through programs like art, music, cooking and yoga. The library is ideal for this, because many people already love and know the library -- and because there are no barriers to access.
Achieved Outcomes
"The Memory Cafe" is popular, with as many as 30 people attending each session. Participants laugh and smile and engage -- and the positive impact on mood and brain function lasts the rest of the day and beyond. Friends and family members learn a lot and connect with library and community resources. People often treat coming to the cafe like a "date" -- something they look forward to.
