Diocesan Workshop : Social-Memory Cafe for those Experiencing Dementia

Jane Stuart, St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, Estes Park

Do you have parishioners who are experiencing memory loss due to any form of dementia? Would you like to support those people and their loved ones? St. Bartholomew’s in Estes Park, with the help of Dementia Together in Fort Collins, has been providing a monthly Social-Memory Café for those in our parish and anyone in our town community with such issues. Dementia is an isolating, exhausting disease for both the person and their partner. Social events which are specific to their needs are one of the ways we can serve. We would like to share with you what a Social-Memory Café is comprised of (with photos and discussion) and are happy to help your congregation start your own. This has been a blessing to those families struggling with Dementia as well as our church volunteers. We all experience joy and the love of God as we have fun together.