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Memory Café Nova Scotia’s mission is to improve well-being and social connection for individuals living with dementia, their care partners, and families. We promote inclusive environments where individuals with dementia continue to engage in their own communities and contribute to the development of an age-friendly Nova Scotia.

Memory Cafes were first started in the late 1990s by a Dutch psychologist, Bere Miesen. He wanted to break stigma around dementia and create welcoming social spaces in the community for older adults with cognitive challenges and their families and caregivers. Since that time, Memory Cafés have sprung up in communities across Europe and North America. 

Memory Cafes can have many forms: some happen in community centres or churches as well as actual cafés. At a Memory Café, attendees come together to relax, chat, enjoy activities or some music by a guest artist who is invited to the café. Also, of course, participants come to enjoy a hot drink and snacks! Sometimes a guest may be invited to share useful information, including support for caregivers in the area, or for education on memory disorders, including dementia supports and other local resources.

Memory Cafés make great places to meet, and are a sustainable low-cost setting for group get togethers. Research increasingly shows that social isolation is a significant risk factor for physical and mental health of caregivers and those with dementia alike. Caregiver burnout is one of the key reason why persons with dementia go into long term care. Research also shows that a key concern for people with dementia is to feel that they continue to belong in their community.

Provincial Lead: Beverley Cassidy MD, FRCP(C).

Project Management, Website Design and IT: David Newcombe

Provincial Program Director: Mary Sheridan Bates

Municipal Co-ordinators: Nick Zamora and Luke Moffatt (Wolfville), Roxy Peterson (Kentville), Sheila Schuehlein and Paula Jacobs (Cape Breton), Natalie D'entremont and Darcy D'Eon  (Argyle), Tissy Bolivar (Bridgewater), Lisa Locke and Shawna Symonds (Shelburne), Jody Conrad (Chester), Anne Belliveau and Rachel Emge (Tantallon).

Provincial Arts Consultant: Elizabeth Sircom

Provincial Outreach & Quality Assurance Lead: Bryah Boutilier

Memory Café Facilitator Lead: Kevin West

Memory Café Facilitator Intern: Aidan Clarke

Website Translation: Elizabeth Sircom

Provincial Consultants and Members-at-large: Erika Deon, S.W., Erica MacInnis, S.W., Jesse Van Gestel, Gina Newcombe and Roger Bolt

Supporting Agencies:

We are indebted to the following agencies for generous support:

The Towns of Wolfville, Kentville, Argyle, Chester,  Bridgewater, Shelburne, Tantallon and Cape Breton Region for in-kind support of Memory Café NS

The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia

The Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program