Care Cafe to Go
When the pandemic hit, everyone lost their sense of routine and struggled to find stimulation. One demographic faced with the most uncertainty was those with memory challenges. In 2021, staff at the Medford Council on Aging Senior Center designed a successful program to occupy and stimulate those with memory challenges. They called the program CARE Cafe to Go, after the Caregivers Assemble Relax and Enjoy, and provided kits that included two activities. There was one big activity that stimulated the need for sensation and one smaller activity focused on fine motor skills. The Medford Arts Council provided the MCOA Senior Center a grant in 2021 for this initiative and after a year of high demand and growing popularity, the program was reinstated for another year with the help of the MAC grant.
from Memory Cafe
The CARE Cafe to Go kits stemmed from Memory Cafe, an ongoing support group for folks going through any kind of memory changes and are encouraged to bring along their caregivers. In group discussions, the MCOA realized that caregivers were burnt out and needed more hands-on programming and resources to keep those with memory challenges engaged throughout the day. The kits focus on simplicity and are easy to do with simple instructions. A caregiver can lead the activity, but also allow seniors to complete the task on their own.
Grace Albert, Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator at the MCOA Senior Center, explained over the phone that the program received a lot of great feedback. She noted that one caregiver found the activity a great way to communicate with her sister who experiences memory challenges. Other participants said the kits have everything they need whether they do the activities at home, at the center, or at the library.
A person with memory changes doesn’t like a lot of things on the table, Grace said during our conversation, and that’s the good thing about these kits. These packages are simple. Whatever they need is in the bag. These kits allow people to socialize. They can do them in a group and then express what they are going through whether the task is too hard or too easy.
A person with memory changes doesn’t like a lot of things on the table. These packages are simple.
Grace shared helpful insight for individuals with a family member, friend, or colleague who experiences memory changes. Being in the moment is best because what has been done can’t be reversed. She emphasized the importance of caregivers, family, or friends not spending too much time questioning why this has happened, but instead focusing on spending time with their loved ones and going with the flow. Grace said that going with the flow is crucial because there are days when a person with memory changes will think they are five years old and rather than getting frustrated, a loved one should let it happen, always work to be relatable with that person.
How You can support?
At the end of our conversation, I asked Grace how the community can best support those with memory challenges. She said that education is the most important piece when it comes to support, particularly with family members.
When people are educated on the changes that happen in an individual with memory challenges, the community is better able to create events for this group that are more comfortable and enjoyable
When people are educated on the changes that happen in an individual with memory challenges, the community is better able to create events for this group that are more comfortable and enjoyable. She also noted that music is a major benefit to those with memory changes, as it provides a great way to communicate and to add more fun where people can sing along.