Memory Makers: A Memory Cafe sponsored by the Novant Foudnation

Dear Friends,

You are invited to our next  Memory Makers – a memory café supported by the Novant Foundation on Wednesday, April 1^st from 12-2 at Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church – Family Life Center.  We’d like to especially thank the Farm Bureau for sponsoring our next event almost in its entirety.  They have chosen a special theme of Spring time and gardening.  They have hired a professional photographer to once again take pictures for our families.  There will be a photo booth located outside the church if you would like to get your picture taken on your way in or sometime during the event.  Located near the photo booth will be some baby farm animals that you can include in your picture if you would like.  However, if farm animals are not something that would bring you and the person you love “joy”, you are welcome to get pictures taken without the animals.  We will have a gardening theme inside.  We have a special guest coming who is a master gardener.  She will share stories about her experiences gardening as a young person.  As she tells her stories, participants will be encouraged to touch and feel the different herbs that she “picks” that will be located on their tables.  Guests will also have an opportunity to plant their own herb prior to leaving that they will take home with them.  Lunch will be provided but guests are encouraged to bring their own lunch if they have special dietary restrictions.  Please let me know if you no longer want to receive these invitations because your situation has changed.        

PARKING:  There is plenty of parking.  There should be at least two gentlemen in the parking lot showing you where to go.  I will also post a sign at both doors you will enter.  There is a portico where you can drop off those who are semi-ambulatory or in a wheelchair.  We are happy to help them get inside as you park your car.

Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church – Family Life Center

4265 Ebert Road

Winston-Salem, NC 27127

Benefits of a Memory Café include:

• Improved cognition through the arts and exercise (sensory engagement, yoga, music, dance, etc.)
• Reduction of negative behaviors
• Reduction of social isolation
• A safe place where people can just “be” without stigma.  They can check their disease at the door and enjoy participating in fun activities and socializing.  Dementia, Alzheimer’s and other types of neurocognitive disorders are never mentioned. 
• The atmosphere is perfect for creating meaningful, bonding experiences for the caregiver and their loved one

We can’t thank the Novant Foundation, Inc. enough for supporting these events.  We are also grateful that Mt. Carmel UMC is allowing us to use their beautiful and spacious venue.  Finally, we are so thankful for the many volunteers from Mt. Carmel and the community that help make this event run smoothly.  A special thank you to Encompass Home Health, Griswold Home Care, Choice Connections and Caring Transitions for graciously agreeing to donate door prizes for our upcoming event.  We hope to continue to offer these beautiful bonding experiences to our community for years to come.

Please RSVP if you plan to attend with your name/names and the name of the person living with dementia as space is limited.  You are welcome to email me back if you are planning to come and I will add your name to the list.  Otherwise, you can RSVP by calling our clinic.

Memory Makers 2020 Dates

• Wednesday, 4/1/2020 from 12-2
• Wednesday, 6/3/2020 from 12-2
• Wednesday, 8/5/2020 from 12-2
• Wednesday, 10/7/2020 from 12-2
• Wednesday, 12/2/2020 from 12-2

Grace and peace to you today,

Melissa Welch, MSW, LCSW

Therapist III

Novant Health Neurosciences

Memory Care Clinic

190 Kimel Park Blvd, Suite 121

Winston Salem, NC 27103

336-718-7300 (office)

https://www.novanthealth.org/clinic-locations/novant-health-memory-care—kimel-park.aspx