The Alzheimer Café is a safe and relaxed place where people with dementia, their families and health and social care professionals come together for a unique blend of education and support. It is a forum where people can exchange experiences and talk about dementia. The Alzheimer Cafe is held on the second Thursday of every month. The next meeting is 7pm – 9pm at The Avila Centre, Donnybrook, Dublin 4 on the Thursday 12th of April 2012.
The Alzheimer Café is independent from and designed to complement other existing services and supports, including day care centres, respite, home care and social clubs. The initiative is supported by Sonas aPc, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI), the Dementia Services Information and Development Centre (DSIDC), the Health Service Executive (HSE), Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI), Third Age and Living with Dementia (LiD) Trinity College Dublin.
Alzheimers and other forms of dementia directly impact on the lives of tens of thousands of people in Ireland. An estimated 40,000 people in Ireland have dementia and that number is expected to increase to 100,000 by 2040. Existing day care centre, respite, home care and social club services address and meet specific types of need. The Alzheimer Café is designed to complement these services for families. It presents a blend of education, therapeutic support and information for people who know they have dementia, and their families and friends. It offers support, information and works towards achieving more openness about dementia. The experience internationally is that most people, once they first attend, become regulars. They in turn welcome newcomers and make them feel at ease.
To learn more about the Alzheimer Café visit http://www.alzheimercafe.ie or call 085 2779897