By Carol Fisher-Linn
Alzheimer’s is a malicious disease. People aged 65 and older survive an average of four to eight years after a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, yet some can live as long as 20 years with Alzheimer’s. This reflects the slow, uncertain progression of the disease. A question then arises – who cares for these people? Eighty-three percent of their care comes from family, friends, or unpaid caregivers. What is needed is a VILLAGE of care.
A page on alz.org presents these startling facts: An estimated 7.2 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s in 2025. Seventy-four percent are age 75 or older. About 1 in 9 people aged 65 and older (11%) has Alzheimer’s, mostly women, older Black Americans, and older Hispanics. But people younger than 65 (even at age 30) can develop Alzheimer’s dementia.
collection of outdoor steel sculptures by
both national and international artists, presents
a unique opportunity to host a Memory
Café that leverages the healing and stimulating
effects of art and nature. The Memory Cafe
will rotate through numerous activities including
a guided experience of the sculptures led
by knowledgeable docents, art-making workshops
inspired by the sculptures, and nature
walks.” www.griffi sculpturepark.org
Alzheimer’s is deadly: One in 3 older Americans dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. It kills more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. It was the sixth-leading cause of death among people aged 65+ in 2022. Deaths from Alzheimer’s have more than doubled between 2000 and 2022, while those from heart disease have decreased. At age 70, older Americans living with Alzheimer’s are twice as likely to die before age 80 than those who do not have the disease.
As the size of the U.S. population aged 65 and older continues to grow, so too will the number and proportion of Americans with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. By 2050, the number of people aged 65 and older with Alzheimer’s may grow to a projected 12.7 million, barring the development of medical breakthroughs to prevent or cure Alzheimer’s disease. So, where’s the help?
A Memory Café is a gathering place offering support and connection, socialization opportunities, better health, and wellbeing to older adult participants and their caregivers in a welcoming environment. Occurring in a wide range of settings with diverse programming, Memory Cafés provide essential support to caregivers and their loved ones. Cafés have been shown to be particularly helpful for those living with memory loss and other cognitive challenges. Cafés focus not on illness but on engagement in activities to improve memory and brain health, keeping older adult attendees mentally and socially active while at the same time providing a positive, supportive, bonding, and rejuvenating experience for caregivers of all ages. Memory cafés also provide caregivers with information, resources, referrals, respite and a network of support. Find more information on Memory Cafes at www.dfamerica.org.
Thanks to The Exhale Memory Café Collective, funded by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and Health Foundation for Western and Central New York, we now have access to several Memory Cafes in our region. Locally, from the Ashford Hollow website, we learn “The Ashford Hollow Foundation’s Memory Cafe at Griffis Park aims to create a supportive, engaging environment for individuals with memory loss and their caregivers, enhancing their quality of life through art, social interaction, and nature. Griffis Sculpture Park, renowned for its extensive collection of outdoor steel sculptures by both national and international artists, presents a unique opportunity to host a Memory Café that leverages the healing and stimulating effects of art and nature. The Memory Cafe will rotate through numerous activities including a guided experience of the sculptures led by knowledgeable docents, art-making workshops inspired by the sculptures, and nature walks.” www.griffisculpturepark.org
Other entities sponsoring this program throughout the area are: • Artpark & Company – SENSING HERE & NOW, third Wednesdays of the month from 1:30-3:30 pm, www.artpark.net • Buffalo History Museum, www.buffalohistory.org; Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences, www.sciencebuff.org • Burchfield Penny Art Center, first Wednesday of each month from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m, burchfieldpenney.org. • Cradle Beach, Inc. www.cradlebeach.org; Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House and Graycliff, www.martinhouse.org • Hispanic Heritage Council of WNY – CAFÉ DE SOL, www.hispanicheritagewny.org • Jamestown’s National Comedy Center, www.comedycenter.org • Niagara Arts & Cultural Center www.thenacc.org • Reg Lenna Center for the Arts held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, www.reglenna.com.
Participants at the various venues offer a selection of opportunities involving music (some live), dance, nature activities, picnics, singalongs, movies, and games. Participants are encouraged to join or can simply observe. Topics and experiences include culture, family traditions and discussions, hands-on crafts, interactive tours including science and nature explorations, and even outdoor beach activities at Cradle Beach. At the National Comedy Center visitors can go back in time watching the antics of Johnny Carson. It’s a welcome addition of care for both persons with Alzheimer’s and their exhausted caregivers.