DeWitt church brings community together with ‘Memory Cafe’

DEWITT, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) – The Memory Cafe held in the basement of the Pebble Hill Presbyterian Church looks like a typical social gathering with food and entertainment, but for those in attendance, it’s so much more than that.

The Memory Cafe provides an outlet for people with memory changes and their care partners to make new friends, share stories, engage in activities and enjoy themselves.

One person, Joe Durgin, travels nearly 200 miles roundtrip for these meetings.

“Every time you come here, there’s always these people around here that are helping you and talking to you and talking about things that really relate to the time you’re around,” Durgin said.

Like Durgin, nearly half the visitors at the Memory Cafe are experiencing memory changes.

Once a month, they come with their caregivers. At each meeting, there’s a new group activity– this time, a performance from the Manlius Pebble Hill Choir.

See video here: http://www.localsyr.com/news/dewitt-church-brings-community-together-with-memory-cafe/1164872128