D Caf Dementia Cafe

What is D Caf (dementia café)?

A D Caf (dementia café) is a weekly meeting place for a small group of people-living-with-dementia and their family caregivers who are still living within the community. It aims to provide a safe environment where people who have memory loss and their family caregivers can relax and socialise.

The initial pilot programme started in November 2018 at PCYC Waitara with the generous support of St Ives Rotary, PCYC and KNC (Ku-ring-gai Neighbourhood Centre).  It now runs throughout 2019 on Thursday mornings in school terms only.

Due to popular demand this small group grew too large so a St Ives pilot programme started in May on Wednesday mornings. Due to its success, we are planning to continue the St Ives programme throughout 2019.

Both the Waitara and St Ives 2019 D Cafs (dementia cafés) are run by an enthusiastic group of volunteers (Rotarians and community members) with ongoing generous support from St Ives Rotary, PCYC, KNC and Hornsby Lions.

Fiona Jenkins is the Assistant Governor for the North Shore Cluster and the Immediate Past President of Turramurra Rotary.  She is happy to partner with other Rotary Clubs and/or community groups to help them establish a D Caf (dementia café) within their community with their volunteers.