Ireland’s first Alzheimer Café opens in Donnybrook

IRELAND’S first

‘Alzh-eimer Café’ saw a full house at its official launch in Donnybrook recently.

Broadcaster Miriam O’Callaghan was among the speakers at the launch of the unique new venture.

The Alzheimer Cafe is described as a safe environment for people suffering from the condition or from other dementias. An open door policy is in place for family members, carers or anyone linked with Alzheimer’s.

Each month the cafe will host talks, and offer a space for socialising.

Ms O’Callaghan spoke about the atmosphere at the cafe, saying she saw

“smiles and happy people

? everywhere she looked.

She went on to note the importance of services for those suffering with dementia, and made the point that many people had been affected in some way.

Those who had been attending the cafe before the official launch were quick to praise the work being done.

One man, diagnosed three years ago, said:

“It’s the first time I’ve met other people with Alzheimer’s. I look forward to these evenings.

?

The organisers say that most people who come to the cafe end up coming back every month.

Based in the Avila Centre in Donnybrook, the cafe has around 65 regular visitors, and has been running since December of last year.

However, there were many more at the official launch who arrived to celebrate the success of the project.

Conversation flowed among guests at each table before Sinead Grennan, coordinator, made a presentation.

She outlined the origins of the cafe, and highlighted its importance in fighting the stigma surrounding Alzheimer’s.

“We don’t hear the voices of people with dementia on radio and television,

? she said.

“It’s difficult for people to live with it and speak about it.

?

She said she hoped the cafe would help change that.

“It’s a warm, comforting place and it can be liberating to go and meet people who are going through the same thing,

? she added.

“People find it supportive to know they’re not on their own.

?

Funds raised are set to keep the cafe open until December of this year, but Ms Grennan is confident it will remain open long after that.

Fundraising efforts are underway and a number of those who have already offered support were present at the launch.

Initial fundraising received a boost in the form of a CD of music by Mary Black and Finbar Furey. The pair donated the CDs free of charge to the project, and funds raised from their sale accounted for over

?¬3,000.

The idea came from the Netherlands and now there are over 200 cafes there and in Britain.

The Donnybrook café is the first in Ireland but others are already set to open.

Cork City launched its own Alzheimer Café last week, while another will open on the Northside in September.

Volunteers are encouraged to set up cafes in their own localities to meet the needs of the 42,000 diagnosed dementia sufferers in Ireland.

The Alzheimer Cafe is based in the Avila Centre on Bloomfield Avenue, Donnybrook. It is open on the second Thursday of every month from 7-9pm. The cafe is free of charge to all guests. More information is available at www.alzheimercafe.ie.