Evaluating the Caremark Dementia Café piloted during the COVID-19 pandemic

Dementia cafés are reported to reduce the stigma of dementia and provide a social setting for people affected by dementia to meet others. Ten people diagnosed with dementia and their informal carers, living in Northern Ireland, attended a pilot dementia café during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A service evaluation of the pilot indicated that people with dementia and their informal carers were looking forward to attending the café, to socialise with others. All identified the need for the dementia café to offer additional support for people with dementia and their carers, as an alternative to day centres. The dementia café provided opportunities to engage in music or art activities. Participants positively evaluated the staff, venue, duration, social interactions and activities. They also reported feeling safe, comfortable, treated with compassion and that their dignity was promoted.