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| Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (courtesy photo) |
DOVER –
On Thursday, October 18 from 2 to 4 p.m., the Children’s
Museum of New Hampshire will celebrate the one-year anniversary of its
Alzheimer’s Café program. The Museum launched the first Alzheimer’s Café in the
Eastern United States in October 2011 and has attracted widespread attention
from families affected by dementia as well as healthcare professionals. The
first anniversary café will feature live music, ice cream and a birthday cake
provided by Langdon Place.
The Alzheimer's Café is held at the Children's Museum in
Dover on the third Thursday of each month from 2-4 pm. People living with
Alzheimer's disease are welcomed during this time, along with their family
members and care partners, to gather in a supportive, non-clinical setting to
chat, relax, enjoy refreshments and socialize. Reservations are not needed and
there is no cost to attend, though donations are accepted.
“This concept of offering a regular social gathering for
people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia began in Europe,” said Paula Rais,
director of community engagement for the Children’s Museum of NH. “People often
find themselves feeling depressed and self-conscious after being diagnosed, and
the people in their network may also feel in need of support. Having a regular
place to go and meet others in a purely social setting each month can provide a
welcome destination with an understanding community of people.”
The launch of the Alzheimer’s Café at the Museum followed on
the heels of another successful community initiative called Exploring Our Way –
The Children's Museum of NH's Autism Partnership Program. This program has
achieved high attendance and acclaim since it began in March 2010. Exploring
Our Way is held at the Museum on the second Sunday morning of each month for
families with children on the autism spectrum at no cost. This program takes
place when the Museum is closed to the public and offers families the chance to
explore the Museum together, with support from museum staff, trained volunteers
and special materials such as mapping tools and social stories.
For more information about the Alzheimer's Café or Exploring
Our Way, contact Rais via email at paula@childrens-museum.org or by phone at
603-742-2002.
