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Date: 12/6/2022
AMHERST – Starting on Nov. 30, the Amherst Senior Center launched a new weekly series called the CR Café, an abbreviation of Can’t Remember Café, which will take place every Wednesday for the foreseeable future from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Senior Center at 70 Boltwood Walk.
Director of Senior Services Hayley Bolton said that the café is “kind of a play on the more traditional memory café idea, which essentially targets people with mild memory loss and their caregivers, but we’re opening it up to anybody who’d like to attend.”
The first hour of the café consists of open conversation and icebreakers to help visitors get settled in. The second hour will be dedicated to an activity, which may change week to week, but may take the form of a musical performance, a class or a guest speaker.
Bolton explained the café’s role as a way to ease the strain of an excursion for those with memory loss, and simultaneously allow their caregivers to rest.
“When you think about having memory loss, even a mundane experience like going to a coffee shop can be overwhelming. It can be a lot of stimuli, a lot of noise, for both the patient and the caregiver. This is a way of making things more approachable…It also provides some respite for the caregiver. They can sit and enjoy a cup of coffee and not have to answer the same question five or 10 times, and they’re around people who really understand what they’re going through,” said Bolton.
These outings are not just fun, but also a way to improve and maintain one’s mental health.
“It’s so important to maintain social connections as you get older because you actually are at severe increased risk of developing or worsening your dementia if you are socially isolated. This is trying to get people out and engaged. Not only can it impact your mental health and cognition, it can also deteriorate your physical health,” said Bolton.
Bolton gave thanks to her team for helping her in making the café possible.
“I don’t work in a vacuum, I have a great team. In particular our intern Rachel Dane and Amherst College student Jiwoo Han were so instrumental in helping me get this set up…I would love to give them a shoutout,” Bolton said.
The café will host events for the holidays. On Dec. 21 it will feature a special holiday series, including a live performance by Sarah Snyder for her “Songs With Sarah” segment. There will also be a Valentine’s Day party on Feb. 15, 2023.
There is no registration process, by design; Bolton and her staff wanted to create a flexible event with no pressure and no deadlines. All are welcome to walk in, and Bolton said that there will be something for everyone.
“I would absolutely love to encourage everyone to come. ‘Can’t Remember,’ that’s something that everyone can relate to, so it doesn’t matter what stage of memory loss you’re at, this is just a place to come meet people and really connect with your community. We’ve got great food, good coffee, lots of fun conversations…lots of fun activities. If you’re looking for something to do, this is a great way to fill your time,” Bolton said.