At our March 19, 2026, we welcomed Nazareth Rotarian, Mollie Santee, who spoke to our members regarding the Memory Cafe program at Morningstar Living which provides social support and activities for people with dementia and their caregivers, operating twice monthly at Advent Moravian Church in Hanover Township.
Mollie gave an overview on the Memory Cafe initiative, which began in July 2020. The program aims to address social isolation for people living with dementia by providing a safe, accessible space for twice-monthly gatherings featuring carefully planned activities, music, and special guests. She explained that participants must come with a caregiver and discussed the importance of finding the right setting, noting that the location was chosen to serve retirement communities in the area.
Molly discussed the importance of support for those facing dementia and described the Morningstar Living community's mission to enrich the lives of residents through various care services including wellness programs and on-site dental and podiatry clinics. She discussed the various support programs available for caregivers and individuals with dementia, including free support groups, Memory Lane programs, and an early stage dementia support group. Mollie explained the concept and purpose of Memory Cafes, emphasizing their importance for social interaction and support for caregivers and individuals with dementia, She stated that while these programs are offered free of charge, they do incur costs for hospitality and activities, and noted that while Morningstar Living operates a home care agency, the primary purpose of the Memory Cafe is not marketing but providing a supportive social environment.
The presentation also provided information about Dementia-Friendly Lehigh Valley. Approximately 25,000 individuals are living with Alzheimer’s in the Lehigh Valley. The Lehigh Valley Dementia-Friendly Coalition seeks to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders through its Dementia-Friendly Lehigh Valley initiative.
CLICK HERE to view presentation.