THE HUMMINGBIRD MEMORY CAFE STORY

1997 FIRST MEMORY CAFE OPENS IN THE NETHERLANDS

2000 UK OPENS FIRST MEMORY CAFE

2008 FIRST US MEMORY CAFE OPENS IN SANTA FE, NM

FEB 2020 HUMMINGBIRD MEMORY CAFE GATHERS IN PERSON

APRIL 2020 CAFE PIVOTS TO ONLINE GATHERINGS & IN HOME CREATIVITY KITS

2022 ONLINE GATHERINGS AND KIT DELIVERIES CONTINUE

2023 CAFE POSSIBILITIES TO BE EXPLORED

September 2019

Planning for the Hummingbird Memory Cafe begins with gatherings of various community members who have a personal and/or professional connection to dementia. Community members recognize that those of us living with dementia and our carers could benefit from the social connection that is provided at a memory cafe. No memory cafes are operating in Northwest New Mexico at this time. Logistics of the café are determined.

January 2020

Volunteers attend training with Dr. Jytte Lokvig, the founder of memory cafes in the United States, to discuss appropriate communication when interacting with someone with dementia, as well as examples of creative engagement.

February 2020

The Hummingbird Memory Café opens to in-person gatherings at the Bonnie Dallas Senior Center Annex in Farmington, New Mexico.

Spring 2020-Present a place to relax, have fun, and meet others an opportunity for carers to renew their relationship with the person in their life who has dementia community where it is located and whom the cafe serves a unique experience apart from the normal routines unique in character, based on the interests and style of the welcoming and accessible for all free of charge a time to leave dementia at the door and just enjoy ourselves coordinated by community advocates and/or volunteers with experience or training in working with individuals with cognitive changes a potential first step toward a dementia-friendly community

COVID-19 responses include transitioning to online cafes and home delivery of creativity kits.

The café is not a workshop, seminar, or lecture on dementia. The café is not a respite program. The café is not just another party or happy hour. The café is not a day care program.

V A L U E S O F T H E C A F E

Inclusive. Venues and activities are accessible to all regardless of abilities. There is no cost to those who attend. Organization of the café addresses the needs of the participants and our community. Creativity. A variety of activities are provided to allow participants to express themselves and communicate what words can't. Fellowship. Participants are able to make connections with others in similar situations.

Dignity. The Memory Café is free of the stigma associated with dementia.

Normalcy. Individuals with dementia and their carers come together and enjoy themselves in a purely social gathering.

Loving Kindness. The volunteers of the Memory Café empathize with our participants and provide genuine care and commitment to engaging with them.

Multiple cafes will be established catering to the needs of the individual participants and their carers. Memory cafes will support the growth of our community as an inclusive living space, including the designation as dementia friendly.