Initiative to expand community-based Memory Cafes in Washington in alignment with the national Memory Cafe Alliance
What is a Memory Cafe?
Memory Cafes are welcoming social gatherings for people living with cognitive changes or dementia at any stage, along with the people who care about them – including family members, friends, and professional caregivers. Cafes provide a time to socialize and participate in meaningful and joyful programming.
The first Alzheimer’s Cafe was launched by Dutch psychologist Bere Miesen in Leiden, Holland, in 1997. Since then, hundreds of people worldwide have contributed their creative and caring genius to build the Memory Cafe movement. The second Alzheimer’s Cafe in the United States was launched by the Greenwood Senior Center in Seattle, WA, in 2010. We are proud to be building upon our local legacy to expand the number of Memory Cafes in our state.
Why Do We Need Memory Cafes in Washington?
Social engagement is a crucial part of well-being and supports brain health, yet many people living with dementia and caregivers experience social isolation. Memory Cafes are a simple and low-cost way to provide an engaging social gathering that people living with dementia and their caregivers can look forward to on a regular basis. As of December 2025, there are an estimated 24 Memory Cafes operating on a monthly basis in Washington state; most of them are along the I5 corridor. We aim to expand Memory Cafes throughout the state so that people in every county have access to dementia-friendly social connection.
About the Memory Cafe Expansion Initiative
Starting in 2026, UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center will offer no-cost training opportunities to individuals interested in starting a Memory Cafe within their community space. Our statewide goal is to see 100 Memory Cafes operating here in Washington within the next three years.
The UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center is working closely with the national Memory Cafe Alliance and will be a Memory Cafe Alliance Training Hub once the national training program is rolled out. The Memory Cafe Alliance, launched with funding from Maude’s Ventures, was formed to sustainably increase the number of high-quality Memory Cafes throughout the U.S. This initiative is housed within Dementia Friendly America, and the overall goal is to increase the number of Memory Cafes by 10x in the United States - from 900, to 9,000. We are proud to do our part here in Washington!
Memory Cafe FAQ
- People living with cognitive changes or dementia (a diagnosis is not needed to attend)
- Care partners (family, friends, or professional caregivers)
Please note that Memory Cafés are not drop-off respite care.
Cafes are held in a wide array of accessible community spaces:
- Libraries
- Community Centers
- Museums
- YMCAs
- Coffee Shops/Restaurants
- Faith-Based Organizations
…and more!
The goal is to select spaces that are out in the community and not primarily associated with dementia, aging or illness - so in a public space, not in memory care or a hospital setting.
Memory Cafes last anywhere from 1-2 hours and may occur anywhere from once a week to once a month. Most are monthly, but the frequency is up to the organizers and participants! At a Café, a participant may experience:
- Social connection and new friendships
- Activities, such as music, movement, visual arts, storytelling, volunteerism, and exploring topics of interest
- Light refreshments, like coffee, tea, and snacks
FAQs about Memory Cafe Leader Training
No. Training is provided to guide you on how to run a Memory Cafe; and an overview of Dementia is offered within this training in course 2.
Memory Cafe leader training is currently available in two formats:
Option 1: Self-paced/on-demand modules - Work your way through 3 free online modules available through the Memory Cafe Alliance on Dementia Friendly America’s website to gain the information you need to start a Memory Cafe. Online account registration required (at no cost).
Option 2: Group Training Session - As above, begin with 3 free self-paced/on-demand modules available through the Memory Cafe Alliance on the Dementia Friendly America website plus attend a half-day group training session offered by the UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center. Discuss the self-paced/on-demand modules, gain additional content, ask questions, connect with other community Memory Cafe organizers in Washington state, and begin developing your Memory Cafe plan.
This will depend on your preferred style of learning:
Option 1: The self-paced/on-demand modules take about 2 hours to complete.
Option 2: The cohort learning experience is a half-day long, plus the 2 hours of the self-paced on-demand modules that need to be watched beforehand.
An email address is needed to create an account on dfamerica.org. A computer with web browser abilities and high-speed internet to play videos is needed to complete the self-paced/on-demand modules.
The training modules are provided at no cost. Registration for the half-day cohort learning experience is free but required due to limited capacity.
- On-demand training through Dementia Friendly America with a cohort-style learning intensive option through the UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center
- Materials such as templates for outreach flyers, activity suggestions, and Memory Cafe planning worksheet
- Check-ins after training completion
- Resources for Memory Cafe Operations through Dementia Friendly America
- Monthly Dementia Friendly WA Learning Collaborative (link to page) invitation for individuals who are facilitating a Memory Cafe in Washington
- Listing for your Memory Cafe on the Memory Cafe Alliance website
Sign up to be contacted about upcoming Memory Cafe half-day cohort learning experiences in Washington:
Memory Cafe Trainings Interest Form
Follow us on social media:
Memory Cafes Washington Facebook
Find a Memory Cafe in your community:
Search for a Memory Cafe using a city name or zip code by using this search tool.
