Rotary DCaf: A fun social space for dementia sufferers

Rotary DCaf was first launched as a pilot study in November 2018. It was the brainchild of a group of Rotarians on Sydney’s North Shore, who wished to provide a fun and safe social space for dementia sufferers. The team came up with the catchy name and a plan of how it would come together, in conjunction with Ku-ring-gai Neighbourhood Centre (KNC). The idea of Dementia Cafes was not a new one, but was certainly an exciting new project for Rotary. There are now 11 Rotary DCafs all around District 9685, with several more planned in the near future.

Dementia Cafes are not actual cafes, but social groups for people living with dementia and their family carers. This group of people are extremely vulnerable to social isolation due to both the stigma around dementia and the lack of social activities that meet their needs.

There are currently more than 400,000 people living with dementia in Australia, with more than two-thirds living in their local communities, rather than in care homes, identifying an obvious need for a project such as Rotary DCaf.

Rotarians and community volunteers organise the group gatherings, where those with dementia and their families come along and spend a couple of hours socialising and participating in a variety of fun activities. Each DCaf has its own feel based on the interests of their groups. One size does not necessarily fit all, however, guests at the DCafs may have the opportunity to join in a gentle exercise activity, art and crafts, quizzes and word games, singing and dancing, often accompanied by wonderful volunteer musicians.

Occasionally, guest speakers are invited to come along and talk about local dementia services or provide other relevant information. Whatever activities happen, the most important part of the DCaf is when guests have the opportunity to sit around chatting with others who share their personal experience with dementia, people who understand their challenges and do not judge. It is a chance for them to leave the stigma behind, relax and have fun.