Poway Memory Cafe offers seniors support

The Memory Cafe at the Poway Senior Center is one of several around the county providing seniors with memory loss a place to find support.

Poway’s Memory Cafe began meeting earlier this year, with another planned to begin in Rancho Bernardo sometime in 2016. Other Memory Cafes in the county are held in Escondido, Solana Beach, Chula Vista and Hillcrest. Memory Cafe is free to attend, but RSVPing for the meetings is encouraged. To reserve a spot at the Memory Cafe meetings, call 858-412-7337 or email memoryguides@gmail.com.

“Memory Cafes are for those worrying about or experiencing memory loss,” said Marshall Stanek, who helps run the Poway Memory Cafe.

Memory Cafes in San Diego County are supported by Glenner Memory Care Centers, Senior Community Referrals, Help Me With My Parent and Kathy J. Gilber, LCSW.

Rather than being a support group for those caring for someone with memory loss, Memory Cafe is intended for those with memory loss themselves, regardless of severity.

“It’s about them getting out, in a comfortable and safe environment where they are able to be engaged,” said Stanek. “We do all we can to make sure (the Memory Cafe attendees) are able to interact and participate as much as they can.”

The group meets in the Poway Senior Center from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month. It averages about 12 attendees per meeting, though it has hosted as many as 20, said Stanek.

Those attending the Memory Cafe meetings can talk about memory loss and learn coping techniques, but also socialize and have fun. They play games, do puzzles and have trivia games. “It’s a little education, some coping mechanisms, socialization, games and entertainment,” said Stanek. “Two of the best things to stimulate brain function is physical activity and socialization.”

Since the attendees vary in their stages of memory loss and ability, Stanek said they help each other participate and share. Memory Cafe can also adjust to whoever shows up and whatever their needs are to engage and socialize with others.

“Memory Cafe is different from other senior activities because the theme is always about memory loss,” said Stanek. “It gives people the opportunity to open up and talk about their own memory loss.”

Memory Cafe also acts as a middle ground between regular senior center activities and adult day care, said Stanek. “It’s a transition between the senior center, or high-functioning, independent seniors, and the loss of cognitive function,” said Stanek.

For more information about Memory Cafes, visit memoryguides.org/ memory-cafes.