Monthly program fights senior isolation

MARSHFIELD – A monthly program for people with dementia and their caregivers drew about 60 participants to the Wesley United Methodist Church for a plant potting activity – but offered so much more.
The Memory Cafe, sponsored by Stoney River, offers free social activities for people with memory impairments and their families. Schalow’s Nursery donated plants and materials for the July 23 session.
“It’s important because people need to have socialization,” said Melissa Triton, sales and marketing director at Stoney River. “Just because they have Alzheimer’s doesn’t mean that they can’t enjoy activities.”
While the Memory Café is open to everyone, it primarily draws residents from Stoney River, Three Oaks and other local facilities, as well as community members caring for relatives at home.
Marilyn Seidel-Kramer, director of the Marshfield Area Respite Care Center, said the monthly gatherings combat isolation common among seniors with memory issues.

“They get isolated so terribly, and then depression goes with that,” Kramer said. “Senior depression is big.”
Kramer started the respite center in 1996 with volunteers using a Brookdale Foundation grant. The center serves adults with memory impairments or Parkinson’s disease weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering their caregivers a chance to run errands – or simply find time for themselves.
The Memory Cafe concept originated when Sue Jansen, whose grandfather had memory impairment, attended a similar program in Sheboygan and proposed bringing the idea to Marshfield.
Upcoming Memory Cafe events include dancers from the Conservatory of Dance in August and a car show in September.
Kim Hauge, garden center manager at Schalow’s Nursery, said the business donates annually because plants “make people happy.”