AzATT hosts Alzheimer’s Cafe Promotes love, acceptance of patients

The movement quickly spread all over Europe and in 2008 Dr.

Jyette Lokvig started the first Alzheimer’s Caf? in the US.

Her Santa Fe, NM caf? remained the only one in the northern hemisphere until a short notice in the AARP Bulletin in April of 2011 brought the concept to the attention of the greater elder care community.

Dr Lokvig advised many other communities in getting their own caf?s started, and as of July 2013 there were more than 85 Alzheimer’s and Memory caf?s in the US.

The Alzheimer’s Cafe and its cousins, the Memory Cafe, Dementia Cafe, Nostalgia Cafe, etc.

are all a little different from each other, but they tend to fall into one of the two general categories: The European model features presentations and information on Alzheimer’s issues combined with a social hour, and caregivers are offered consultation and support.

The American Model focuses on the person, and is a celebration and a respite from the disease. Participants explore art, music, poetry and socialisation and laugh a lot.

It is the aim of the Alzheimer’s Association of Trinidad and Tobago (AzATT) to host quarterly cafes, with the next event carded for September 10, at Bon Air High School in Arouca, from 9 am to 1 pm, in commemoration of World Alzheimer’s Month.

Ann Smith, vice president of AzATT says: “We plan a morning of fun activities, music and light refreshments. The cost is just $25 and we are asking guests to please bring coins, lots of coins to support our Coins For Caring Fundraiser.

Please call 292-4387 for bookings with the Arima Support Group.

“We will also guide participants through the process of opening a cafe, the keystones of which are Love and Acceptance.

“Donations to help us fund future Alzheimer cafes would be greatly appreciated – either cash, refreshments or use of premises.

AzATT can be contacted through 225-8764 or 632-4791.” Smith says the running of these cafes are meant to be low cost to the persons attending.

“In order to keep our costs down, we need to look for low cost venues, or ideally, at no cost.

Of course, these must be easily accessible for elderly, less mobile persons. Remember also that the more of these services we provide and the oftener we host them, there will be a need for helpers.

Volunteers are being asked to offer their services.” Smith is an active caregiver of a family member with Alzheimer’s.

“The philosophy behind Alzheimer cafes is great and helps to reduce the stigma associated with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Don’t keep your loved one hidden away or excluded just because they have dementia.

“Dementia is only a part of their life; a mask with a person behind that mask - a person who should not be left behind but should still be allowed to express themselves, to socialise and interact with family and friends while meeting new people - a person who still deserves to have fun.” She said many times family and friends stop communicating and socialising with their loved ones with Alzhiemer’s because they simply don’t know how to, or because of the stigma associated with the disease.

“They do not wish to be seen in public with them. We have successfully held an Alzheimer Caf? in 2015 and 2016 and found that there is a demand for them so we plan to have them more often.

Feedback from those attending has been very encouraging.”