TEXT SIZE

SHARE

MEMORY CAFES

Fall foliage and the Stars and Stripes add color to the John Brown Bell in Marlborough/ Photo by Douglas Flynn

Memory cafes are a unique resource for caregivers and the loved ones they are caring for who have Alzheimer`s or another form of dementia. Fortunately, they are also becoming available in more places, especially for caregivers in MetroWest.

There are a number of memory cafes in the area, including cafes in Marlborough, Sudbury, Franklin, Shrewsbury and Worcester that offer a variety of different days and times for caregivers to take advantage of their offerings.

These cafes offer an opportunity for people caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or another dementia a chance to get some needed relief while still spending time with your loved one and other caregivers in a relaxed and welcoming setting. The cafes encourage socialization with other caregivers and loved ones where you can just be yourself. It provides an opportunity to get out with your loved one and have an enjoyable morning or afternoon.

Unlike support groups that are strictly for caregivers or adult day programs just for the care recipient, memory cafes offer a chance for the caregiver and care recipient to get needed respite and socialization while remaining together.

Alternatives in Alzheimer’s Care owner, educator and consultant Tammy Pozerycki, MA, CADDCT, CFRDT,CDP, opened the first memory cafe in the region with the Create A Better Day Cafe in Marlborough, describes the Cafe as “a time to step out of the daily routine, leave the disease at the door, and enjoy a positive experience in a supportive environment. The after-noon will consist of entertainment, conversation, music, arts, games, refreshments, and most importantly, laughter.”

Note: Scheduling of memory cafes is subject to change. Please call to confirm time, location and space availability before attending.

Memory Cafes in MetroWest:

Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, we strongly encourage you to contact the resources below to inquire about their operating restrictions during this crisis. 

A Brighter Day Memory Cafe
Location: Callahan Center
535 Union Avenue
Framingham, MA
Time: Third Thursday of month, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Contact: Karen Block at 508-875-3100, x400 or email: kblock@jfsmw.org.
No Cost. RSVP requested.

Center at the Heights
Location: 300 Hillside Avenue
Needham, MA
Time: Second Wednesday of each month, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Contact: Kim at 781-444-2266
No Cost. RSVP requested

The Comfort Food Caring Cafe
Location: Sudbury Senior Center
40 Fairbank Road
Sudbury, MA
Time: Fourth Monday of each month, 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Contact:  Ana Cristina Oliveira, Outreach Specialist at 978-443-3055 or email oliveiraa@sudbury.ma.us
No Cost. RSVP required.

Clocktown Cafe (Ashland Senior Services)
Location: The Bagel Table
21 Main Street, Ashland, MA
Time: Fourth Wednesday of the month, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Contact: Cara Tirrell at 508-881-1040 or email: ctirrell@ashlandmass.com
No Cost. RSVP Requested.

Create a Better Day Cafe
Location: Better Day Adult Social Day Program (formerly Pleasantries)
195 Reservoir Street
Marlborough, MA
Time: Fourth Sunday of the month, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Contact: Regina Wolf Fritz at 508-481-0809 or email: regina@pleasantriesads.com
No Cost. RSVP required.

Franklin Memory Cafe
Location:
 Franklin Senior Center
10 Daniel McCahill St,
Franklin, MA 02038
Time: Fourth Monday of each month, 3 p.m.
Contact:(508) 520-4945
Website: https://www.franklinma.gov/dff
No Cost. RSVP not required.

Good Day Memory Cafe
Location:
 Shrewsbury Public Library
609 Main Street
Shrewsbury, MA 01545
Time: First and third Fridays of each month, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Contact: Priya Rathnum at 508-841-8531 or email: prathname@cwmars.org
No Cost. RSVP not required.

The Red Raven Restaurant
Location: 3 Nagog Park
Acton, MA 01720
Time: First Saturday of each month, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Resumes September 2019. Call to confirm.
Contact: Jenifer Apazidis at 978-274-2231 or email: jen@redravenacton.com
No Cost. RSVP requested.

Making Memories Café (from Bridges by Epoch of Sudbury)
Location: Sudbury Senior Center
40 Fairbank Road
Sudbury,MA, 01776
Time: Second Thursday from 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Contact: Ana Cristina Oliveira, Outreach Specialist at 978-443-3055 or email oliveiraa@sudbury.ma.us
No Cost. RSVP required

Our Time Memory Cafe
Location: 
Hopkinton Senior Center
28 Mayhew St, Hopkinton, MA 01748
Date: October 7, 2021, and December 2, 2021 (2022 dates to be added)
Time: 1 p.m.
Contact:
 Pat Srodawa at 508-497-0108 or email: srodawas@gmail.com
Details: No Cost, but registration is required.

Sunshine Cafe
Location: Westborough Senior Center
4 Rogers Road
Westborough, MA
Time: First Wednesday of each month, 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m. Resumes September 2019. Call to confirm.
Contact: Alma DeManche at 508-366-3000
No Cost. RSVP requested.

Time Out Cafe
Location: Marlborough Senior Center
40 New Street
Marlborough, MA
Time: Third Sunday of each month, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.  Resumes September 2019. Call to confirm
Contact: Trish Pope at 508-485-6492 or email: ppope@marlborough-ma.gov
No Cost. RSVP required. 

Making Connections Memory Cafe
Location: Worcester Senior Center
128 Providence Street
Worcester, MA 01604
Time: Third Tuesday of each month, 2-3:30 p.m.
Contact: Deb Dowd-Foley at Elder Services of Worcester Area at 508-756-1545 or email: ddfoley@eswa.org
No Cost. RSVP requested.

Looking for other memory cafes? Jewish Family & Children’s Service has a Directory of Memory Cafes in Massachusetts.