Watertown-based memory cafe hosts first meeting today

pWATERTOWN ­— To provide a judgment-free environment for those with dementia and their loved ones, a new memory cafe has opened in Watertown./ppHappy Hearts Memory Cafe, which will host its first meeting today, has monthly meetings for those with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease or other brain disorders to socialize, enjoy entertainment and be educated./ppFounders Joanne and Dianne Nugent-Ward said through their agency, Seniors Helping Seniors, they were able to see the dire need for the program./pp“So many of the folks have some type of dementia and they seem to be socially isolated,” Joanne said. “We just felt it was part of our mission to offer this extension for the community.”/ppThough the first Watertown memory cafe, there is also a monthly cafe in Philadelphia. /ppBryn L. Durgin, founder of the Philadelphia Memory Cafe, has helped Joanne and Dianne start the cafe, and is excited to see it finally in action./pp“Dianne and Joanne sincerely care about our population living with dementia, and this kind of work further proves that,” Ms. Durgin said. “I know our fingers are crossed that this will soon be just another in a larger network of memory cafes and free or affordable support services in Northern New York.”/ppHappy Hearts’ meetings will be held on the third Tuesday of each month from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with Cam’s Pizza, Watertown, providing lunch./ppJoanne stressed anyone with a dementia or brain disorder connection is welcome to attend./ppFor more information, call Joanne at 315-286-7151./p