Memory Cafe's Popularity Grows at Bellingham Senior Center

written by Christine Doyle

Chances are that if you visit the Bellingham Senior Center, you have heard about their Memory Café, which is held on the fourth Saturday of the month, 10-11:30 am, and is led by Terri Graham, the center’s coordinator for the Supportive Day Program. The Memory Cafe was started in January and initially had about seven attendees. The number has now increased to over a dozen attending each month. Terri describes the program in more detail by saying, “Bellingham’s Memory Cafe is a welcoming event for people with memory loss and their caregivers. It offers an opportunity to socialize, participate in an activity, and make new friends in an accepting environment. It’s a great way for people to socialize, relax, and not feel so alone on their journey.” She is grateful for the kind, caring and compassionate volunteers who work with her, calling them truly amazing.

Visitors can expect light refreshments as well as activities and entertainment. “We have done several different activities, such as painting bird houses, making terrariums, and playing Name That Tune, as well as having live entertainers,” explained Terri. Atria Draper Place of Hopedale and Benchmark at Forge Hill of Franklin help fund the Memory Cafe. For more information about this program that provides much-needed respite from those affected by memory loss, please contact the Bellingham Senior Center at 508-966-0398.