Doylestown Health’s Memory Café gives those with dementia and their caregivers an outlet

Dementia is a difficult medical condition for those with the disease and their loved ones to navigate. In addition to memory loss, dementia can cause confusion, visual and motor issues. All of these symptoms can make it difficult for those with dementia and their loved ones to enjoy activities together outside the home.

That’s why Penn Medicine Doylestown Heath offers Memory Café, a monthly event held at the Doylestown YMCA specifically designed for those with dementia and their loved ones. The event features activities that those with dementia and their care partners can do together, including yoga, music, art and dance. “We want to provide a safe space and also offer support so they understand they are not alone,” said Kellye Remshifski, director of Community Health & Wellness, Doylestown Health.

Doylestown Health’s Dementia Aware Initiative

Memory Café is part of Doylestown Health’s Dementia Aware Initiative. In 2019, the Community Health Needs Assessment revealed that aging population and mortality rates due to Alzheimer’s disease was higher in the Doylestown area then those in surrounding areas. Recognizing the issue, Doylestown Health began increasing resources dedicated to dementia-related education for individuals, families, and the community at large. To support those affected by dementia, Doylestown Health and our partners aimed to create a “Dementia Friendly Doylestown.”

The goal of Dementia Friendly Doylestown is to help those living with dementia remain active in the community. Doylestown Health family medicine and geriatric specialist Scott Blore, MD, explains dementia is a general term for conditions that include memory loss, behavioral and functional changes, and other cognitive challenges. Some diseases and conditions considered as dementia include:

• Alzheimer’s
• Chronic concussion-related dementia
• Frontotemporal Dementia
• Lewy Body Dementia
• Posterior Cortical Atrophy
• Traumatic brain injury dementia
• Vascular dementia

According to Blore, those with dementia can benefit from activities like Memory Café. “It’s important for people with dementia and their caregivers to have social interaction and participate in normal activities so they don’t feel isolated. Being isolated can cause dementia to become more pronounced,” he said.

Instilling a sense of belonging

Doylestown resident Karen Reever is familiar with dementia, both personally and professionally. As a gerontologist she administered programs for those living with dementia. Several years ago the roles reversed when her husband, Jon, was diagnosed with Posterior Cortical Atrophy, a form of early onset dementia. “Our entire world changed. We used to go out with friends and do a lot and now it’s often too difficult,” she said.

When Karen discovered Memory Café was available close to home, she was thrilled. She knew the advantages of social interaction and she and her husband became a fixture at the monthly events. She also became a driving force for change surrounding awareness on dementia in Doylestown.

“I really enjoyed Memory Café and everything it had to offer, but there were other things I could see would be beneficial like having more time for caregivers to interact,” says Karen.

Now, Karen and Jon look forward to their monthly outings to Memory Café and she encourages others who care for loved ones with dementia to take advantage of the events. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect with others in a similar situation and it’s available right here in our community,” she said.

Penn Memory Center Memory Café

The Penn Memory Center offers similar programming for individuals with dementia and their caregivers in Philadelphia. Visit the Penn Memory Center website to learn more.