Smritiyoram Memory Cafe

Overview:

Kochi Memory Café is a pioneer in introducing the memory café concept to Kerala, India as an initiative of Local Self Government. Launched in collaboration with the Age-Friendly Kochi initiative, the café is held monthly and is designed specifically for people living with dementia and their caregivers in an age-friendly community.

Key Features:

Local Partnerships: The café collaborates with local NGOs, hospitals, and healthcare professionals to provide integrated care for participants.
Culturally Relevant Activities: The café offers activities rooted in local culture, such as traditional music sessions, familiar games like chess and carrom, and storytelling from Indian folklore.
Caregiver Workshops: The café provides workshops focused on caregiver stress management, communication strategies, and dementia progression education.

Outcomes:

Greater Community Awareness: The café has played a key role in reducing the stigma around dementia in the community, encouraging more people to engage in early detection and seek support.
Positive Feedback from Caregivers: Caregivers have appreciated the educational workshops and the opportunity to connect with others in similar situations.

Smritiyoram @ Samrudhi

Non-Pharmacological Approaches to Dementia Care @Samriddhi

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST): Activities designed to improve memory, communication, and problem-solving through engaging tasks, like puzzles or group discussions.
Music Therapy: Music has a unique ability to connect with people emotionally and cognitively, even in advanced stages of dementia. Singing or listening to familiar songs can trigger positive memories and reduce anxiety.
Art Therapy: Engaging in creative activities, like drawing or painting, helps stimulate the brain and allows people to express themselves in ways that words might no longer allow.
Reminiscence Therapy: Discussing past experiences, using photographs or objects from the past, helps stimulate memory and allows people with dementia to connect with their identity and history.
Physical Exercise: Light physical activities, such as dancing, walking, or stretching, can enhance mood, reduce anxiety, and improve general well-being.

Instead of looking for Functional Decline, we emphasize improving lifestyle for Healthy Aging.

Who Benefits from Memory Cafés?

Memory cafés do not focus on medical treatment or therapy; instead, they offer a range of social activities that encourage conversation, creativity, and fun. By focusing on the person, rather than the disease, memory cafés foster a positive, respectful atmosphere where everyone is valued.

Memory cafés are also valuable in promoting community involvement. They bring together not only those affected by memory problems but also local volunteers, healthcare workers, and even young people, creating a stronger, more inclusive community. By participating in memory cafés, communities learn to better understand dementia and find ways to support people living with the condition.