The Memory Café at Rest-Stop-Ranch

We started the Memory Café in the Garden in 2015 so that people with memory changes and their care-partners could spend a morning outdoors together. In winter we move into the Caretaker’s Cottage.
— Mary E. MacDonald

RSVP for Our Next Memory Café

Three guests seated on the sofa in the Caretaker’s Cottage, decorated for the holidays
Guests enjoy warming up inside the Caretaker’s Cottage

What is the Memory Café Movement?

The first Memory Café was started in 1997 by Dutch psychologist Dr. Bère Miesen, to give people with dementia and their families a place to meet socially, away from the stigma that often comes with the disease.

There are now thousands of Memory Cafés around the world. Memory Cafés are not clinical programs, formal support groups, or drop-off respite care; the person with memory changes and their care-partner come together and enjoy the morning side by side.

Ours Meets Outdoors

The Rest-Stop-Ranch Memory Café started in 2015 and is recognized as the first outdoor Memory Café in the U.S.A. It is featured in Dr. Jytte Lokvig’s book, The Alzheimer’s and Memory Café.

Two women seated at a table on the garden patio, with a rollator beside them

  • Spring & Summer (April – October): We meet outside, rain or shine, in our wheelchair-accessible gardens. We watch birds, visit the koi pond, picnic, and make nature crafts.
  • Fall & Winter (November – March): We meet indoors in the Caretaker’s Cottage for coffee, conversation, flower arranging, and crafts with plants.

When We Meet: The 2nd Saturday of every month, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

Cost: Free of charge (though optional donations to help cover craft supplies are gratefully accepted).

What to Expect During Your Visit

The café is for people living with Alzheimer’s, other dementias, brain injuries, or Down syndrome with memory changes, together with a family or professional care-partner.

  • Come as a pair: Care-partners stay and take part.
  • Activities anyone can join: Drum circles, seated dancing, and nature crafts, with no wrong way to do them.
  • Other care-partners: You’ll meet people nearby who are caring for someone too.

Helpful Memory Café & Dementia Resources

Other resources:

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