Sunshine Memory Café Bolsters Social Life For Those With Alzheimer’s Around West Chester

WEST CHESTER, PA — Alzheimer's sufferers and those who care for them need support and West Chester United Methodist Church has formed a group to help keep those affected social and it's open to the community.

Forgetting daily routines. Repeating stories. Not being able to balance one's checkbook or develop a grocery list. Getting lost in familiar places. These can be signs not to be ignored, according to Sunshine Memory Café of West Chester, a group aiming to help Alzheimer's and dementia suffers.

At a time when more than six million Americans live with Alzheimer's disease — a common cause of dementia in adults aged 65 years old and older — isolation and depression can move in and even take over, for those affected.

Feelings of deep despair can also impact family members and caregivers who help these people, while witnessing their spiraling, downward effects, Sunshine Memory Cafe explained.

While a cure has not yet been found for the debilitating disease, there are some who are tapping into their special calling to make life a lot happier for those living with Alzheimer’s as well as their caregivers.

Assistance is available through the group that meets every Tuesday from 1-2:30 p.m. at the West Chester United Methodist Church (WCUMC), 129 South High Street in West Chester. The church opens its doors to area citizens with mild cognitive impairment, early- to mid-stage Alzheimer’s, or other forms of memory loss or dementia — and to their caregivers.

The groups says it offers "sunshine and relaxation to those who need it the most." It comes at no cost at the Sunshine Memory Café of West Chester (SMC) and anyone in the community is welcome, the Sunshine Memory Café explained in a news release.

Started in 2017, the group is the brainchild of West Chester residents Adean Bridges and Molly Dee Rounsley, Associate Pastor of WCUMC.

"Pastor Rounsley was thinking about starting a group at the Church that would serve those with memory loss. She saw an article about a church in Florida running a 'Brain Fitness Club,'" said Bridges.

Bridges added, "It turned out that the club was not appropriate for us, but while helping Pastor Rounsley investigate similar offerings, I learned about Memory Cafés."

Bridges explained she was interested because her brother-in-law had been diagnosed at age 53 with early-onset Alzheimer’s. "As the disease progressed, he and my sister found that friends soon drifted away and the active social life they had previously enjoyed disappeared. This is common, and it leads to feelings of isolation and loneliness both for the person with memory loss and for their care partner."

The Sunshine Memory Café of West Chester quickly became a reality, with a team of eight volunteers who help plan and present programs, provide refreshments, help with free parking, and socialize with guests from all corners of the community. Those who come do not need to be members of the Church, the group said.

The Café has become a social outlet that means those with memory issues gather at WCUMC every week and enjoy games, crafts, music, art, speakers, and occasional field trips to places like the Brandywine River Museum, Winterthur, fall fests, and more. Around certain times of the year, annual celebrations are made quite special, including the Kentucky Derby, the news release said.

"We don’t really distinguish between volunteers and guests." Bridges said." We are all just friends getting together once a week."

With all the fun, there is an overall objective. "The basic goal is the same: to provide a chance for people with memory loss, and their care partners, to enjoy informal gatherings with others without embarrassment or discomfort," explained Bridges. "We try to provide the social and mental stimulation that research has found is important for everyone’s mental health. In our Café there is no mental assessment; we don’t ask for a guest’s diagnosis."

We rarely discuss Alzheimer’s or any of the other causes of memory loss, not because it’s ‘taboo,’ but because we want to give our guests a chance to enjoy themselves and forget about those challenges for a while. We have interesting programs, presenters, excursions, and, of course, time for light snacks, and just chatting.”

The Sunshine Memory Café of West Chester has become a welcome spot and favorite day of the week for many area citizens.

"We have had the wonderful privilege of attending Sunshine Memory Café of West Chester for the past two years," said Diane Tsoules. "It has truly been a Godsend and a relaxed and joyful gathering that we look forward to each week. For one hour and 30 minutes, my husband and I are treated so kindly."

Tsoules said her husband sums it up this way, "There is a lightness, and they make me smile and teach me how certain things can be helpful for me. They do it with a way that is laughter."

Caregivers find equal comfort in the weekly gatherings. "SMC is a warm, welcoming and supportive group for us that is often the highlight of our week," said Dana Navaline. "The wonderful volunteers always try to make it an interesting and pleasant meeting. There, I laugh, smile, and find support from others who know and understand the difficulties of taking care of a spouse with memory and cognitive problems."

When the pandemic hit, the Sunshine Memory Café of West Chester migrated to a virtual format on Zoom. Members missed seeing each other in person, however, so meetings commenced outside in a park with masks. With inclement weather, the group masked up and started meeting in a huge WCUMC room that allowed for social distancing.

With all members now vaccinated, the group meets outside with optional mask-wearing or meets inside while wearing masks. The guests’ health and safety continue to be paramount, the group said.

Anyone experiencing memory loss from any cause, including strokes, MCI, Alzheimer’s, or other causes, is invited to join the Sunshine Memory Café of West Chester. Guests who need help are asked to be accompanied by a loved one or caregiver. Names and contact information are requested so everyone can be informed of upcoming programs, the news release explained.

"We are an inclusive community and truly enjoy the rich cultural diversity our volunteers and participants have built," says Bridges. "We are always open to suggestions about new activities, programs, and presenters. This group belongs to its members, and we want everyone to enjoy themselves."

For more information about the Sunshine Memory Café of West Chester go here, or call 610-349-3401.

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