A memory café is a safe and inviting place for individuals with cognitive challenges and their caregivers to come together and enjoy some quality time through a socially engaging activity. All who attend are given the opportunity to meet and mingle with others in the community who are faced with some of the same challenges and made to feel comfortable by focusing on strengths and encouraging inclusion. The goal is to set aside time for caregivers and their loved ones to reconnect and rekindle that relationship that, at times, can seem to be disappearing. Activities can include something as simple as meeting for coffee and conversation to enjoying a musical performance or art show to dinner and dancing. It is also a great place to find information and learn about local resources for caregivers and care-receivers alike. Memory cafés are offered free of charge and are held at all types of locations from coffee shops and restaurants to museums to community and senior centers. Memory Cafés are becoming increasingly popular and recently have been popping up all over Massachusetts. Elder Services is helping to coordinate cafes throughout the valley including The Magic Moment Memory Café on May 16, 2017 from 1:00 – 2:00 pm at the Newburyport Council on Aging. For now our program is only going to facilitate the Café in Newburyport and will have more offered  at the Newburyport Council on Aging starting in the fall. The Memory Café Percolator Network has also created a directory of cafes held in different regions which can be found at www.jfcsboston.org/MemoryCafeDirectory. For more information on other family caregiver supports, please visit the Caregiver support group page.

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