Forget-Me-Not memory cafe returns from break, encouraging people with dementia to make social connections

A group formed to support people living with dementia is back up and running after a six-month break, hosting monthly meet ups for those living with the difficult condition. Forget-Me-Not memory cafe is a place for people living with dementia and their carers to socialise and share stories over morning tea. Those who are travelling on the same road meet every third Monday of every month at the Geraldton Regional Library to engage in a happy, low noise environment to build social networks. The group sessions previously ran at Cafe 105 at Shenton Street. Volunteer Phillip Dernee said the conversation was often jovial and provided an opportunity for people to make lifelong friends. “Dementia is rarely the main topic of conversation, however the volunteers are always happy to provide resources, information or support to any participants,” he said. “The goal is to provide them with a safe social support network, somewhere they can come to and not be judged or have some of the common misconceptions about dementia forced upon them. Mr Dernee said one of the biggest misconceptions about dementia was that it was just about memory, but that’s not the case for all. “Dementia is a disease of the brain and as such, it doesn’t just impact memory. For some people, it may not impact memory much, it might impact their emotional response or their processing or their problem solving,” he said. For more information visit forgetmenotmemorycafe.com.