Living Well with Memory Loss! FUMC’s Memory Café
Studies continue to show socialization, physical activity, cognitive stimulation, self-expression through art or music, and nurturing a person’s spirituality needs helps reduce the risks of developing dementia. And these same activities slow the progression of dementia!
Remaining social and active can also improve mood, help with depression, assist in maintaining independence and enhance overall well-being. First United Methodist Church of Lakeland, FL offers a weekly Memory Café, for people living with memory loss and a family member that offers all the activities above. The Memory Café also includes the person’s family member and encourages engagement and shared moments of joy.
The Memory Café has been meeting on Mondays mornings from 10:00am-11:30am since August of 2021 and welcomes individuals living with memory loss and a family member. There is no cost or evaluation required, and the Memory Café offers families mutual support, and sharing resources while enjoying structured activities, group discussions, and learning strategies for maintaining quality of life and overall well-being as a family. Activities are varied, and the Memory Café is designed to help break the stigma that a diagnosis of dementia can bring, and to make connections and enjoy the company of other families.
Shifting the paradigm on how we understand dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and other neurocognitive disorders from a scary and negative history of the word “dementia,” to believing that people are LIVING with dementia and not “suffering”, and they deserve a life of quality, and to continue to share joyful experiences with their family and friends.
Facilitated by Vicky Pitner, a Certified Dementia Practitioner and Coordinator of the Memory Ministry, and with the support of wonderful, dedicated, and trained volunteers, the Memory Café members develop a close bond and look forward to seeing their friends on Monday mornings.
The Memory Ministry also offers Family and Friends workshops, coaching, and education on neurocognitive disorders.
If you would like more information about the Memory Café, or information on other services of the Memory Ministry, please contact Vicky Pitner at vpitner@firstumc.org.