Q&A with Allison Gatliff Sawyers
Residence: Warner Robins
Volunteer: Neighborhood Memory Cafe host
Q: Who began the Neighborhood Memory Cafe?
A: I read about the idea years ago and brought it back to mind in January 2015 after seeing the movie "Still Alice." It's a movie about a woman with a great career and a great family who's dealing with early onset Alzheimer's. That was the spark that got me thinking I needed to do more and get a Memory Café started here.
Q: When did it start?
A: June last year. Seeing the movie was the spark, then I contacted the local Alzheimer's Association and people here at Summers Landing where I work. They've been very supportive of the idea. The cafe is an independent, volunteer community group, but they've been very helpful.
Q: What is the Memory Cafe? An activity for Alzheimer's patients?
A: First off, it's not just for Alzheimer's patients. It's for all those living with any memory-related condition, including Alzheimer's. It's for people with early to mid-stage memory loss and their spouses, friends, care partners. You don't have to have a formal diagnosis, but it isn't for anyone with disruptive or aggressive behavior or for those with late-stage memory loss. And it's not for anyone 18 or under.
Q: When do you have the Memory Cafe?
A: From 2 to 3:30 p.m. the third Thursday of each month at Simply Cupcakes. That's at 237 South Houston Lake Blvd. in Oasis Plaza near Leverette Road.
Q: Describe the Memory Cafe.
A: It's a time of socializing and support. I guess most of all it's a time of creating good, new memories and helping to bring back and enjoy old ones for the people with memory loss and for their care partners. We laugh a lot. We eat and drink and play games, do crafts, enjoy music. We also provide general information about memory loss and area services. One of the favorite times at the end of the meeting when we do something we call Blessings and Bummers.
Q: What's that?
A: It's an opportunity for anyone who wants to share the good and the bad related to memory loss and their life, their experience. They can talk about what they're going through good and bad.
Q: So you provide various opportunities and outlets. Do you work at being therapeutic?
A: It's not at all about providing cognitive therapy or anything like that. It's geared toward creating joyful moments between people and reducing the depression that often comes after a diagnosis of memory loss. So in that sense, it's very therapeutic. And our games -- we don't just sit around playing board games. Our games are ones like Penny-Ante, where people tell stories from their past: maybe growing up on a farm or something like that to bring up memories. We've also played a picture version of Apples to Apples. That's a lot of fun and creates a lot of new, fun memories.
Q: You mentioned music. Music can be a real memory jogger?
A: One of the best. Some of the best times we've had involved music. Someone came and played and sang mostly old country songs, and people loved it. They sang along and really enjoyed it. We need more of that.
Q: You said the Neighborhood Memory Cafe is a volunteer group. Do you need volunteers?
A: We really do. We have what we need for month-to-month help to run the cafe, but we really need people to come in every now and then who can do a program, like the music, or who have some skill they can share or something they can present. We're open to all kinds of ideas. Musicians, gardeners, exercise -- we'd be happy to consider lots of fun and different things.
Q: So the main help you need is people who can come in occasionally and help make those fun, new memories?
A: Exactly. And we need people who will tell others about the Memory Cafe. People who will come and bring their spouse or people who will tell someone down the street about it and encourage them to come.
Q: How can you be contacted?
A: For information or to volunteer, you can reach me at Summers Landing at 478-328-3800, extension 24. You can get on our email-mailing list, and we have a website at www.memorycafe.wix.com/memorycafe.
Q: What do you do at Summers Landing?
A: I'm an eldercare adviser.
Q: The cafe doesn't involve a sales pitch does it?
A: No. It's really about connecting with other people going through very similar circumstances and seeking hope and sharing memories. You can be so much happier when you see you're not alone. For that hour-and-a-half, you're in a safe place of acceptance and understanding where you can express concerns and fears -- and failures -- and know that people will get it and can sympathize. We never bring up or talk about the fact they have memory loss, but they may. It's just enjoyable. It's Dutch treat; you do buy your own treats at Simply Cupcakes. That's the only cost and Simply Cupcakes is kind enough to give us the space to enjoy.
Q: What's been the response to the Memory Cafe?
A: We have anywhere from six to 15 at each cafe. Care partners often tell us how much it means to them and how much their partner looks forward to it. From those with memory loss, we mainly get a lot of hugs.
Answers may have been edited for length and clarity. Compiled by Michael W. Pannell. Contact him at mwpannell@gmail.com.
This story was originally published March 30, 2016 at 8:22 AM with the headline "Q&A with Allison Gatliff Sawyers ."