Photos by Chris Bennion.
Momentia is a grassroots movement empowering persons with memory loss and their loved ones to remain connected and active in the community.
The Puget Sound region is home to a variety of dementia-friendly opportunities offered by a growing number of community members and organizations.
Artwork by Elderwise Participants
Elderwise East in Bellevue Now Open - Find Out More
Dementia-Friendly Programs and Classes
Some of the current social engagement programs in Puget Sound are highlighted below. Check the Momentia Calendar to see more programs and each month at a glance.
NEW PUGET SOUND MEMORY CAFES OPENING!!!
NOW OPEN ON MERCER ISLAND!!!
Next Bellevue Cafe: January 21, 2024
MEET ME AT THE MOVIES
November 16 | 11 am | Bainbridge Island Museum of Art | Free An interactive film program celebrating the wonder of film and its abililty to connect us with life’s experiences and imagination. Designed for people with memory loss and their care partners, this program can be enjoyed by all adults. Presented with the Frye Art Museum.
Dementia-Inclusive Series
Edmonds Center for the Arts (ECA) offers an award-winning Dementia-Inclusive Series, providing free creative and social enrichment programs for individuals experiencing early-stage memory loss, their caregivers, families, and friends.
A Community Journey through Art, Music & Movement
The 2023-2024 Dementia-Inclusive Workshop Series: A Community Journey through Art, Music & Movement, is presented by ECA in partnership with SilverKite Community Arts LLC. This series includes seven free workshops scheduled from October 2023 to May 2024. The workshops encompass various activities, including music-making, movement, and visual arts.
To learn more, including dates and how to register, click here.
NEW!
MEMORY CAFE IN OAK HARBOR
Seattle Parks and Recreation’s Dementia-Friendly Recreation program offers
Out & About Walks
for people living with memory loss & their care partners
2nd & 4th Fridays at 10:30 am
Invigorate body, brain and spirit with 1.5 to 2-mile moderately-paced walks in parks and neighborhoods throughout Seattle. Varied terrain includes sidewalks and gravel paths - mostly level with occasional hills. Registered participants will receive details via e-mail
A conversation with the Dementia-Friendly Recreation Specialist is required for 1st time participants. Please contact tamara.keefe@seattle.gov to schedule. Register seasonally through Seattle Parks and Recreation. No cost to attend.
Listen to and learn from persons living with dementia
Living With Memory Loss: In Our Own Words
Out of desire to be advocates, members of The Gathering Place program who are living with memory loss chose to create a short documentary, Living with Memory Loss: In Our Own Words. In this film they share inspiring advice and offer a more holistic narrative about living with memory loss. It is powerful to hear the voices and wisdom of people living with memory loss, and it is hoped that their fiercely open-hearted, humorous and hopeful messages have a positive impact.
Watch a short 5-minute video: Click Here
Watch the full 16-minute film: Click Here
Frye Art Museum and UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center
Alzheimer’s Cafe
Join the Frye Art Museum and the UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center for an uplifting time of social connection! A unique opportunity for people living with dementia, their care partners, family, and friends to enjoy companionship, live music, and fun in a relaxed environment.
Monthly, Second Tuesdays, 2:30-4pm
Registration is required for this free program.
For more information contact Mary Jane Knecht, Manager, Creative Aging Programs, 206.432.8265, creativeaging@fryemuseum.org
The Alzheimer's Café at the Memory Hub is presented with UW Medicine Memory and Brain Wellness Center. Creative Aging Programs are made possible with support from the estate of M. Jean Fisher, Richard & Maude Ferry Charitable Foundation, and Aging Wisdom. Additional support is provided by the Frye Foundation and Frye Art Museum members.
here:now - Arts Engagement at the Frye
for Adults Living With Dementia
These virtual and museum-basedprograms celebrate present-moment awareness and new possibilities for creative expression for adults living with dementia.
here:now Art-making and Discussion Class - Enjoy conversation, works of art, and hands-on exploration with different art mediums in this in-person class led by a specially trained museum educator and teaching artist. Six-session classes will be held from 2 - 4 pm on Wednesdays in the fall, winter, and spring.
here:now Virtual Artwork Discussions - Explore art from the comfort of your home in a facilitated, small-group discussion with a museum educator. Artworks from the Frye collection and exhibitions will be featured. Online discussions are scheduled from 1 - 2 pm on the last Tuesday of each month.
For more information or to register, call 206 432-8265 or email creativeaging@fryemusuem.org
Momentia Now In Anacortes!!!
Tony Bennet Sings with Lady Gaga
Living with Alzheimer’s and at age 95 Tony Bennet performs at Radio City with Lady Gaga. Enjoy this 60 Minutes segment which aired on October 3, 2021. What a voice, heart and smile.
Sing-a-long with Carmen Ficarra
Songs of the Stage
This series of singalong videos offers a fun selection of popular songs led by Carmen Ficarra, a frequent performer at the Alzheimer’s Café at the Frye Art Museum. Captions are provided on the screen for those who would like sing along. Click here for more songs.
Dementia Friendly TV
Allyson Schrier, member of Momentia Eastside Engagement Team (MEET), is co-founder of Zinnia TV which offers a vast array of videos to improve the quality of life for people living with dementia and their care partners. The videos are designed to provide experiences that not only increase the viewer’s connection with care partners, but also reinforce identity and engagement when viewed alone. The vast array of offerings are sorted under the headings of Nature, Places, Nostalgia, Interests, Activities, Conversation Starters, and Care Messages. They all allow you to slow the speed of the video if it is flowing too quickly and to substitute your favorite music. Allyson is interested in your feedback about your experience with Zinnia TV. Look for the feedback form on the Home Page.