Each Monday inside Sun Lakes United Methodist Church, a group of Memory Café friends delve into the details of what life might be like for owls or other raptors. Or they will discover the origin of deserts or what life on the arctic looks like. Still another week, happy notes of musical singalongs ring down the halls, or even a facilitated chair movement session may commence.

The Memory Café is a place where individuals experiencing memory loss and their caregivers may visit weekly together. From 9:30 a.m., everyone visits together until 10 a.m. Then caregivers have an opportunity to separate from their partners and meet together to share and receive support and answers to questions that arise when caring for a loved one with memory loss issues. And during that time, those who are living with dementia or some form of memory loss are treated to engagement sessions that spark interest, supply motivation, and bring smiles and friendships.

Coordinated by a volunteer board of directors, along with other volunteers, the Memory Café is now approaching its third birthday. Professional social workers, dementia workers, music therapists, movement instructors, and others are recruited and scheduled to supply the backbone of the café engagement session. Volunteer assistants are needed weekly to supply support to the café facilitator and to provide refreshments and clean-up until the café ends at 11 a.m.

The joy and connections made have allowed the Memory Café to blossom into a wonderful resource inside Sun Lakes. Residents may visit anytime, for free, as folks from Sun Lakes and Chandler, and even sometimes from other East Valley cities, gather and attend. No special skills are needed to help, and no required commitments are levied. All volunteers will be oriented prior to serving.

To discover more, contact Sheryl Keeme at [email protected], call Board Chair Elaine Poker-Yount at 480-203-8548, or visit the website www.slcep.org to learn more.