Alzheimer's Cafe

Third Thursday of the month from 2-4pm

CMNH recently won the "Leaders In Innovation" award for the Alzheimer's Café program from the New England Museum Association at its annual conference in Burlington, Vermont.

As part of a desire to serve a wider array of community needs, the Children's Museum of New Hampshire has created a new program that invites people living with Alzheimer's disease into the Museum on a monthly basis. This is the first program of its kind on the East Coast.

The Alzheimer's Cafe will be held at the Children's Museum in Dover on the third Thursday of each month from 2-4 pm. People living with Alzheimer's disease are welcomed during this time, along with their family members and care partners, to gather in a supportive, non-clinical setting to chat, relax and socialize while enjoying complimentary refreshments. Reservations are not needed and there is no cost to attend, though donations will be accepted.

“This concept of offering a regular social gathering for people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia began in Europe,” explained Paula Rais, Director of Community Engagement for the Children’s Museum of NH. “People often find themselves feeling depressed and self-conscious after being diagnosed, and the people in their support network may also feel in need of support. Having a regular place to go and meet others in a purely social setting each month can provide a welcome destination with an understanding community of people.”

Alzheimer’s Café programs are prevalent in a number of European countries and Canada’s first program was launched in Nova Scotia this past February. In the United States, there are now programs open in New Mexico, California, Oregon and Washington. These programs are held in a variety of setting, including theatres, historic buildings and restaurants. The Children’s Museum of NH is modeling its program on the Alzheimer’s Café at the Santa Fe Children’s Museum, which is held under the auspices of the New Mexico Dance Coalition.

“We feel that our Museum is an ideal place for an Alzheimer’s Café,” said Rais. “We know that intergenerational experiences are beneficial for all ages, and we designed our Museum to be engaging for adults as well as children. Many elders did not have the experience of going to a children’s museum as a child, so these visits give them the opportunity to see how we approach conceptual learning now compared to what they might have experienced, and this always stimulates discussion.”

Support provided by the Robert B. and Jean P. Field Charitable Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.