Carrick-on-Suir Library's Memory Café offers social outlet for people with Dementia

Caption for photo above: Pictured at the first Memory Café were from left: Conor O’Brien, Support Coordinator with ALONE; Sharron Martin, HSE Public Health Nurse; Carol Delany, Librarian; Yvonne Leahy, Dementia Advisor, Kilkenny; Paddy Fitzpatrick, SICAP Development Officer, Carrick; Cllr. Richie Molloy, Carer Supports Manager; Family Carers Ireland; Gemma O'Donnell, Dementia Advisor (South Tipp) Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland; Kathleen Vickers, S.T.D.C., Social Inclusion Programme Manager; Pauline Kenny, SICAP Development Officer, Carrick; Kathleen Phelan, Eileen Mulrooney, and Anita Holloway, SICAP Development Officer; Carrick. Front: Local musician Gay Brazel, Margueritte Keating of the Irish Dementia Working Group and musician Willie Stuart. Picture Anne Marie Magorrian

The new monthly Memory Café where people with Dementia can meet to socialise will take place in Carrick Library next Monday, May 13 from 11am to 12.30pm.

Conor O’Brien of ALONE, the national organisation that enables older people to age at home, will give a talk at the café on the supports and services the organisation provides.

His talk will be followed by refreshments and music for those attending.

The café meets on the second Monday of every month and its first session was on April 8 where it was formally launched by Family Carers Ireland Support Manager and Mayor of Clonmel Cllr Richie Molloy.

The first café session was attended by representatives from groups linked to the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland, including ALONE, South Tipperary Development CLG, SICAP Carrick-on-Suir, Family Carers Ireland and the HSE.

Local musicians Gay Brazel and Willie Stuart entertained with a lively music session accompanied by Margueritte Keating of the Irish Dementia Working Group and Gemma O’Donnell, Dementia Advisor (South Tipp).

Cllr Molloy said the café was a lovely idea and he pledged to promote it through the Family Carers Ireland group.

He outlined the benefits for everyone involved with the café and said the bright room located off the main library, which overlooks the Town Park, was ideal giving privacy to visitors.

Gemma O’Donnell, Dementia Advisor with the Alzheimer’s Society described the Memory Café as a safe and welcoming meeting place for those living with Dementia and their loved ones as well as their friends, health and social care workers and anyone interested or involved in dementia activities in their community.

Art teacher Margueritte Keating from Cashel, who is a member of the Irish Dementia Working Group, shared her story of her memory loss.

However, she stressed she is staying fit and well with a healthy diet including herbal supplements and is taking plenty of exercise, painting and playing memory games on the phone.

Margueritte who has a tremendously positive outlook, sang at the café launch. She said she “just gets on with it”.

She advised communities to set up a group for people with Dementia in their area.

The Memory Café is linked to the Irish Dementia Café Network and is free of charge. For more information Tel: (051) 640591 or email carricklibrary@tipperarycoco.ie