ShareCare of Leelanau’s Memory Cafe opened its doors to the public for the first time on August 27 at their new Suttons Bay location, offering a safe and welcoming space for those with memory loss and their caregivers.
The social gathering, which will be a regularly scheduled event on the fourth Tuesday every month, helps to create an inviting place for people to ultimately connect and enjoy quality time together. Approximately 18 people and their caregivers attended the opening, where everyone had the chance to get to know each other via group conversations. The cafe is the first of its kind in the region, with the other two nearest locations in Alpena and Saline.
After lunch, members of ShareCare also participated in a movement process called “ageless grace” led by Lisa George. The activity was based around the idea of brain neuroplasticity and helping the brain to make different pathways to challenge it versus doing the same processes day after day.
“The uniqueness of the cafe setting is really to focus on bringing that partnership out and about in a supportive, welcoming environment,” said Erin Gysbers, ShareCare Senior Wellness Liaison. “Social isolation and caregiver burnout is very, very prevalent when someone is caring for a loved one that is experiencing memory loss, but there are things available… in terms of respite programs, and day programs and there are things like caregiver support groups and respite provision to assist in getting the caregiver out of the house to run errands or to their own individual appointments. There’s very few opportunities that promote bringing both out and experiencing new activities, joy and fun together in a safe, supportive, welcoming place where there’s a common thread of understanding amongst the cohort.”
Being in a setting with others who have that mutual understanding of similar experiences can help with communication and handling of the situation. As people familiarize themselves with the program, Gysbers said she wants people to know that the cafe is open to those experiencing memory loss in some way, whether it’s caused by Dementia or any other condition.
“Depending on what stage of memory loss an individual is in, word finding can be difficult in conversation, and everybody in that room has a sense of understanding of these really impactful things that are happening,” Gysbers added. “There’s extra time given during conversation and there’s just a level of understanding that can be offered in that type of setting that is at times hard to find for folks.”
According to the U.S. Census Bureau 2022 estimates, about 19.5% of Leelanau County’s population is made up of people 65 years and older. Not only is the aging population in the county served through the ShareCare program, but seniors from neighboring counties can also take advantage of the services offered.
Along with social isolation and caregiver burnout, Gysbers said she thinks the cafe is even more invaluable as seasons start to change into the fall and winter months, when the area becomes less populated and the opportunity for outdoor activities plummets.
“We want to make it accessible and available to all,” she said. “Even things like walking outside, there’s a safety factor to that if your loved one is also exhibiting some physical factors, like maybe their balance or gait is changing… We are rural up here and things change throughout the season, so to just offer a constant place and a constant space to count on and go and feel connected is what we’re shooting for.”
If the demand for the cafe grows in the months ahead, Gysbers said ShareCare will look into the potential of offering the two hour-long session more frequently. Upcoming memory cafe dates are scheduled for September 24, October 22, and November 26 from 12:30-2 p.m. For more information on Memory Cafe programming or to sign up for the next session, email erin@sharecareleelanau. org or call 231-256-0221 ext. 305.
