Have you used an Alzheimers Cafe?

Blueandy

Registered User
Jan 5, 2008
10
0
Ramsgate, Kent
Has any one had any experience of using an Alzheimers cafe?
I am interested to know what you thought of the experience and if you found it useful, supportive or any positive comments you have. I would also like to hear any negative comments as to your experience.
Thank you.
Andy.:)
 

noelphobic

Registered User
Feb 24, 2006
3,452
0
Liverpool
Hi Andy and welcome to TP.

Can I just ask what exactly you mean by 'an Alzheimer's cafe'? And also what your reasons for asking are? I notice you are a student nurse so does that mean you are asking for research purposes? It may be that this thread is not in the most appropriate place, depending on your answers to my questions, and if so I will be able to move it to somewhere that more people will see it and you will therefore be likely to get more replies.
 

Blueandy

Registered User
Jan 5, 2008
10
0
Ramsgate, Kent
Reply to Brenda.

Hi Andy and welcome to TP.

Can I just ask what exactly you mean by 'an Alzheimer's cafe'? And also what your reasons for asking are? I notice you are a student nurse so does that mean you are asking for research purposes? It may be that this thread is not in the most appropriate place, depending on your answers to my questions, and if so I will be able to move it to somewhere that more people will see it and you will therefore be likely to get more replies.


Hi Brenda,
Thank you for the reply and welcome.
My interest is to get peoples views of using an Alzheimers cafe.I am working with a couple, and the wife, who has early onset Dementia. They have been going to the venue near them and an improvement in her speach and some memory have been noticed.It would also appear that many people are not aware of these venues.
An Alzheimers cafe is where 'people with dementia, their carers, relatives and social care professionals can meet in a cafe environment to socialise, unwind and, possibly, carry out an initial assessment leading to a much-needed service'.
This is a fairly new concept and I am aware of these cafe's being implemented across the country and have read only good comments on them.I found this link to Alzheimer's cafe UK that explains more.http://www.alzheimercafe.co.uk/home.htm.
I hope this explains my interest.
Andy.
 
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ROSEANN

Registered User
Oct 1, 2006
909
0
75
staffordshire
Hi Andy
I go to an Alzheimers cafe and it is one of the best things I have done since my husband was diagnoised,
We meet once a month and each month are given a talk by a professional person from different social departments or from the police who advise how to keep safe.
Through the cafe my husband was given a day at daycare which helps me no end and they always try to answer our questions and if they cannot they will find out the answers for us,we also have days out throughout the year.
So all in all a very positive place for us and a place to make friends who know what you are going through.
All the best Roseann
 

noelphobic

Registered User
Feb 24, 2006
3,452
0
Liverpool
I have moved this to the main forum as I think it would be useful for everyone - not just younger people with dementia and their carers.

I had actually never heard of an Alzheimer's cafe. It sounds like a great idea.
 

Blueandy

Registered User
Jan 5, 2008
10
0
Ramsgate, Kent
Hi Andy
I go to an Alzheimers cafe and it is one of the best things I have done since my husband was diagnoised,
We meet once a month and each month are given a talk by a professional person from different social departments or from the police who advise how to keep safe.
Through the cafe my husband was given a day at daycare which helps me no end and they always try to answer our questions and if they cannot they will find out the answers for us,we also have days out throughout the year.
So all in all a very positive place for us and a place to make friends who know what you are going through.
All the best Roseann

Hi Roseann,
that is really great. I have heard only positive comments about people using an Alzheimers cafe. Incidentally, I have seen comments where people have shortened the name to 'Al's cafe'.A good idea for people who may be concerned with being stigmatised.
Can I ask which area cafe you use?
How many people use the cafe?
Thank you.
Andy.
 

Grannie G

Volunteer Moderator
Apr 3, 2006
81,444
0
Kent
Hello Andy.

I have been told we have a local Alzheimers Cafe, but we haven`t visted it yet.

Ours is open twice weekly, during the afternoon, so it possibly will be run differently to ROSEANN`s. I have to say though, that Roseann`s positive post has spurred me to try to get my husband to go with me.

So thank you for highlighting it.
 

Blueandy

Registered User
Jan 5, 2008
10
0
Ramsgate, Kent
Hello Andy.

I have been told we have a local Alzheimers Cafe, but we haven`t visted it yet.

Ours is open twice weekly, during the afternoon, so it possibly will be run differently to ROSEANN`s. I have to say though, that Roseann`s positive post has spurred me to try to get my husband to go with me.

So thank you for highlighting it.
Hi Sylvia
you are welcome.
It would appear to be an invaluable resource for people with Dementia, and even more so, the support that carers can receive.Can I ask which area of Kent you live and the cafe you will use?
I await to hear if you manage to visit the cafe and your experience of it.
Andy.:)
 
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jenniferpa

Registered User
Jun 27, 2006
39,442
0
I think quite a few AS branches run an Alzheimer's Cafe - I know the Coventry one does.
 

linda a

Registered User
Jun 13, 2006
48
0
suffolk
Cafe

We have a cafe that husband goes to every week i go when im not working ,its great for carers as well you get to know and ask how people cope its just a very frendly place for me the first time i went i was in shock i didnt realise how young people were that had Alzheimers it was a big eye opener ,
But its good to see all interacting with each other with no barriers , Alzhimers / Dementia hits all
 

Grannie G

Volunteer Moderator
Apr 3, 2006
81,444
0
Kent
Thanks Andy. I hope to go to the memory clinic support group on Tuesday, so I`ll make further enquiries.

Take care xx
 

KenC

Registered User
Mar 24, 2006
913
0
Co Durham
Hi All
we have an Alzheimers Cafe and it has proved to be a GodSend to many people with memory problems, including those who have Dementia and Alzheimers. This allows people to open up and talk about there favorite topics or get advice from Social services people and Occupational Therapists, who usually come along to give advice and support.
It has also proved to be invaluable when new people move into the area, as they are usually on their own until they find out where all the services are.

Best wishes to all

Ken
 

BeckyJan

Registered User
Nov 28, 2005
18,971
0
Derbyshire
We live ih the High Peak in North Derbyshire. The Alz. Cafes in this area are very good indeed. We go to several in the district - because of the spread of Derbyshire we have a range from which we can choose.

The attendance and response varies depending on the people involved at any particular time. I do feel more communication is needed amongst the 'sufferers' to encourage participation. Until involved no one can really understand the value of mixing with people in the same situation.

Perhaps we are lucky that in North Derbyshire we have a good administrator from the Alz Society.

Not sure if this helps. Jan
 

ROSEANN

Registered User
Oct 1, 2006
909
0
75
staffordshire
Hi Andy
The AZ Cafe that I use is in North Staffs and as far as I know there are several around in Staffordshire and more are planned.
When I joined ours there were about fifteen people going but now twelve months later there are around forty to forty five people attending and as I said I have made quite a few good friends.
All the best Roseann
 

dab1630

Registered User
Feb 23, 2007
24
0
Kent
Having met Andy in his official capacity this afternoon , we both think there is a need to get any Alzheimer's Cafe's advertised in some way as it seems to be an almost secret resource. At the very least, there should be a list on the main Alzheimer's website. Ideally there should be a push to publicise these sort of things in local newspapers to reach the large number of people involved with Alzheimers who do not have access to computers.

Duncan
 

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