At the Memory Cafe: Don't forget to laugh

Canterbury Gardens, A Koelsch Senior Community, announces a Memory Café, the first of it’s kind in this area. The Mission of the Memory Café is to provide an environment where people with memory loss and their care partners come together to learn, laugh, and remain socially engaged with others traveling the same journey.

Sponsored by Canterbury Gardens, this event will be held at the Kelso Longview Elks on October 15, at 11 a.m. A complimentary lunch and a keepsake photo will be included with the option to participate in a craft activity.

The professional staff of Canterbury Gardens and volunteers will be hosting this social gathering and open discussion.

The concept of memory cafes began in the UK. Grass roots efforts have prompted the development of cafes in the U.S. with the first being J. Arthur’s memory Café in Minnesota which launched in June 2011.

About 5.1 million Americans are affected by Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America and that number is only expected to rise as the population continues to age. The foundation reports that the number of Americans age 65 and older will more than double to 88.5 million — about 20 percent of the population — between 2010 and 2050.

As the number of people affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other memory disorders continues to rise, Memory Cafés are thriving. Those affected with memory disorders feel comfortable around others who can relate, share personal stories, and even laugh about their situations.

For more information and to RSVP contact Canterbury Gardens by October 10. Call 360-423-2200. Seating is limited.