Rotary may start dementia-friendly cafe

The Rotary Club of Woy Woy is investigating starting a "dementia-friendly" cafe in Umina.

It would be based the D-Cafe program offered at the Waitara PCYC with assistance from the Rotary Club of Turramurra.

Woy Woy club publicity officer Mr Vic Deeble said the club had learnt about the program from guest speaker Ms Fiona Jenkins from the Turramurra club.

"Fiona has a background of psychology and sociology," Mr Deeble said.

"She advised us that dementia is the second major cause of death in Australia, secondary only to heart problems."

He said Ms Jenkins described how the D-Cafe program was providing a social option for dementia patients in a safe and stigma free environment.

Through the program patients and their families were also able to undertake social outings headed by carers and a PCYC staff member, as well as enjoy a cafe environment and entertainment.

"Fiona's talk was well received by our members and, as luck would have it, Susan Murphy from our local PCYC was in attendance.

"Our incoming community service director Ms Jo Weston is working with Susan and Matt from the PCYC to see if Woy Woy Rotary could also start a D-Cafe in our area," Mr Deeble said.

SOURCE:

Newsletter, 11 Jun 2019

Vic Deeble, Rotary Club of Woy Woy