Conversation café for people with dementia with Sorø Library, Sorø Museum and the dementia team in Sorø has now become a permanent setting for cultural experiences for people with early dementia.
The cafés are an informal and inspiring community with space to share both good and difficult experiences. The sessions are full of lively conversations about personal relationships with e.g. places, people, things and interests as well as experiences with e.g. crafts, books, films and music.
Focus on dementia and culture
Cultural and social activity are not only good experiences, but also beneficial for one's well-being and state of health - in particular if one is affected by dementia. In week 19, there is Dementia Week, which this year focuses on dementia-friendliness in cultural and leisure life. All over the country there is a focus on how cultural institutions, associations, professionals etc. can make it easier for people with dementia to maintain an active life with culture and activities together with others.
In Sorø, from the cultural side, within the last year we have tested and developed the conversation cafés, which will now be an ongoing effort. It started as a collaboration between Sorø Library, Sorø's dementia coordinator Susanne Juul Kjelkvist and dementia nurse Vibeke Jensen to create conversation cafes for people with dementia. The effort has quickly expanded, as Sorø Museum has entered into the collaboration with great commitment.
Literature, history and good conversation
The expanded collaboration means that the participants get more variety in the cultural experiences they share. At the conversation café in the library, the primary inspiration for the conversation is a piece of literature that is read aloud by the library's mediator and reading guide. Often a common song is also sung. At the museum, the historical mediator has selected museum objects in advance that can spark conversations about special topics, such as school life or childhood games. Both places spar and develop together with the dementia coordinator and the dementia nurse about the form, content and themes of conversation.
The core of the events is the good, shared cultural experience, rather than practical and health-related questions about life with dementia. The dementia coordinator or nurse is present every time and can answer any questions that may arise.
Practical information
The conversation cafés take place every two weeks and the location changes between Sorø Library and Sorø Museum. The participants are people with an early stage of dementia who have made an agreement with the dementia consultant or nurse to participate. New participants are continuously admitted to the group within a set maximum number.
If you have been diagnosed with dementia and are interested in participating, you can contact the dementia coordinator at the email address: susk@soroe.dk and agree further.
Photo: Vibeke, Pernille, Susanne and Rose, who are behind the cultural offer for people with dementia in Sorø Municipality
