The Alzheimer Café is a place where loved ones go once a month to have a chat  and a laugh and to listen to one another who are there for the very same reason to learn from each other’s stories good and bad about living with Alzheimer’s.

They are invited to sit at beautifully presented tables with Colourful tablecloths and just as colourful and refined china cups and saucers.  Having taken a seat you will be joined by other people coming in or you may choose to sit with whom you like. Once seated the tea and coffee is served along with the scrumptious delights of assorted cakes from the award winning bakery the Bretzel and Superquinn.

It is a very cosy setting in the lovely grounds of the Avila Centre in Donnybrook.  There are different talks of which can last from ten minutes to twenty five minutes depending on the Topic and speaker. Not all the topics are specifically related to the disease.  We had a guest appearance from Miriam O’Callaghan at the opening and we have had a talk from a solicitor about how to get our affairs in order.

My Uncle has Alzheimers and himself and my Aunt have been attending this Café since June he enjoys the company of others and my aunt gets an absolute sense of relief knowing that there are other people aware of what it is like to be the carer.  It is about building relationships and bonding with people in the same situation.  If there is one thing for sure when you leave the café at the end of the evening you walk away with a sense of comfort and enormous relief having shared your stories.

Sharon Flanagan

www.3qrecruitment.ie