Roseville’s Cherrywood Pointe Memory Café helps those with memory loss and their families

More than 5.4 million Americans have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, and by 2050 the number is expected to skyrocket to 16 million.  It’s no wonder senior care communities are doing all they can to address this startling growth.  Beginning February 5, Cherrywood Pointe of Roseville will offer a Memory Café, a new concept of bringing fun and fellowship into the lives of those with early memory loss and their family care partners.

On the first Wednesday of every month from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m., Cherrywood Memory Café will provide a safe, supportive, engaging place for people to share experiences with others who are going through a similar journey. 

Memory Cafés originated in England and are slowly popping up in American church basements, coffee shops and senior communities.  Some Memory Cafes’ offer refreshments, others bring in speakers or activities.  The Cafes’ give couples, children and their parents, and other caregivers a place to share something fun together.  People can feel free to be themselves, to laugh and to tell stories.

Memory Cafés are not support groups or adult day programs -- they simply offer community and friendship.  The Cherrywood Memory Café will be facilitated by staff, not clinicians, who for years have worked with families experiencing Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. 

Caregivers often find that family, friends, and health care providers are helpful and well meaning, but they don’t always understand what caregivers and people with dementia are going through.  Others are simply uncomfortable being around people with memory loss. The new concept is gaining momentum across the country. 

“That’s why Memory Cafés can be so helpful and nurturing to both the caregiver and the person with memory loss,” said Barb Mekenye, executive director of Cherrywood Pointe.  “We work with families who struggle with Alzheimer’s everyday and we understand what families are going through.  We also know that what any of us truly want for our loved ones is that they be happy.  I think coming to our café will do just that…make people happy.”

Cherrywood Pointe of Roseville (www.cherrywoodpointe.com) is managed by Ebenezer Management Services (www.fairviewebenezermemorycare.org). Cherrywoood Pointe offers independent, assisted living and memory care apartments as well as Care Suites, which are private apartments with advanced level of care.