The 2024 Lancet Commission report on dementia prevention, intervention, and care lists 14 common risk factors and action items associated with dementia. It advocates for more awareness of dementia and cognitive impairment, discusses current treatments, and major warning signs and symptoms. It also suggests coping mechanisms for people at risk of dementia or people diagnosed with dementia. Some of the action items include monitoring LDL levels, limiting alcohol consumption, wearing helmets, and treating depression (Livingston et al., 2024).
The Memory Cafe, a Participatory Action Research pilot organized by UBCO’s Age Link Club and Medical Arts Research, aims to address two critical items: promoting age-friendly communities or dementia-friendly communities to limit social isolation, and providing accessible education to stimulate cognitive exercise. The October 18th, 2026 session of the Memory Cafe was held at the Laurel Packinghouse; however, a previous session in March of 2026 was held at the UBCO campus to encourage students to participate in dementia awareness.
Sophia Kong, the president of the Age Link Club, discussed what separated the Memory Cafe from a traditional support group, and highlighted how the event is open to people of all ages, caregivers, and even curious individuals not at risk of dementia, stating: “It is similar; however, this is open to the public. It’s interactive, includes improvisational activities, [so it] appeals to more of the public.” Barb Stewart, a researcher with Medical Arts Research and organizer of the Memory Cafe, added that the event was possible due to cross-sector collaboration, since it was supported by both scientific/medical research and an arts-based approach.
Stewart added that an open invitation to people outside of the community was essential to the Memory Cafe, mentioning: “Because we are addressing the fear, denial and stigma of dementia, a community conversation is necessary.”
Students and faculty play an active role in dementia awareness, especially in neuroscience research. Stewart expressed that the research is evolving, and that the Memory Cafe was an important opportunity for researchers, and student researchers especially, to meet with caregivers, patients, physicians and nurses, who all attended the event and answered questions from people to tackle the fear and stigma, but also to touch on current treatments and prevention in a way that doesn’t intimidate people with complicated science. Kong also mentioned the value of bringing in different age groups to connect: “[It’s for] spreading awareness, knowing what to look for, what other people are going through, being aware of what other people in your community are going through.”
One of the arts-based interactive activities was improv, to help individuals, caregivers and people with cognitive impairment practice communication skills. The exercise included playing out a conversation but with certain restrictions like saying “Yes…and” in every response, to practice active listening/patience and avoid arguing with someone with cognitive impairment.
Hosting and managing the Memory Cafe sessions also came with some challenges, which the team works to improve with every new session. Kong described how a big part of their promotion was “word-of-mouth”, which limited their attendance numbers. She also brought up the logistics behind the Memory Cafe and what the students found difficult about organizing the event, stating: “Finding the timing, midterm season for students, finding venues, and trying to think of getting people here.” Since the event is open to people of all age groups, they also had to take accessibility into account, to which Kong said that they consider transportation, parking, individuals with mobility issues, and food intolerances.
There was also music, spoken word, and insight from professionals and people with lived experience, activities scientifically proven to help slow cognitive regression. Stewart noted that many people who might benefit from attending the Memory Cafe might not due to their personal worries or judgments on the matter. Dementia is a scary disorder because many types of it do not have a definitive cure, and it is hard for diagnosed individuals and caregivers with family members with dementia to deal with or accept it, which is why the Memory Cafe’s guest speakers and panel stressed that dementia or cognitive impairment should not define or limit someone from living.
Dementia-friendly communities are one part of dementia awareness. When there is more of it, it can help people get diagnosed or tested and further promote current research to develop better treatments. Awareness can help caregivers and individuals with dementia better understand their condition and find ways to live with it, rather than suffer, but it all begins with collective support.
