At the Memory Cafe in Roseville -A Time To Share, A Time to Laugh

When Ollie Dufrene took his wife Dixielee to a meeting of the Memory Cafe this past December, he wondered how his wife would react to attending the Roseville support group for people with Alzheimer's. 

His wife has Alzheimer's and "I didn't know if she (Dixielee) would be apprehensive," Ollie recalled. But before their first Memory Cafe meeting ended, the couple felt at home with the gathering.

"We were welcomed when we came to the meeting," said Ollie, who was among a number of caregivers attending the gathering.  "From then on, we have enjoyed being there."

Dufrene and his wife were among five people who shared their experiences with the Memory Cafe at a program titled  "Find Comfort in Caregiving for Those With Memory Loss."  

The program was held Wednesday afternoon at the Fairview Community Center, sponsored by the Roseville Area Senior Program and  Arthur’s Residential Care.

The panelists from Arthur’s Memory Café and Lori La Bey, founder of  Alzheimer's Speaks,  discussed what is a Memory Café, how it it has affected their lives, why it is beneficial and how you can join one. In Roseville, the Memory Cafe meets twice a month. 

La Bey, who grew up in Roseville, brought the first U.K. Memory Café  in the U.S. to Roseville.  La Bey, whose mother has Alzheimer's, was recognized last year by Sharecare and Dr. Mehmet Oz as the  No. 1  online information influencer for Alzheimer’s.

 Arthur’s Memory Café, 2441 Rice St., Roseville; "offers a safe and supportive environment" for people with early memory loss and their caregivers to gather and build new friendships and community, said La Bey, whose mother has been battling Alzheimer's for more than 30 years.  She said the Memory Cafe is also intended to be a fun, social gathering place. 

"Life goes on whether we have this disease or not," La Bey said. She noted the Memory Cafe concept began in England and is now found around the world. It is a concept that is spreading with now 60 to 80 Memory Cafe groups in the U.S., she said.

Meanwhile, Ollie and other the Memory Cafe panelists said they like the camaraderie of the group, catching up with their friends and learning more each time about Alzheimer's and how it affects people. 

With the help of the Memory Cafe group, Ollie said he has gained a greater appreciation for the present. "Living in the moment is a daily thing," he said. 

La Bey agreed, noting, " I believe this disease (Alzheimer's) is here to teach us tolerance and to go with the flow."

For more information about the Memory Cafe or where to find Alzheimer's information resources, visit the Azheimer's Speaks web site. 

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