Area musician Bill Ward is pictured. Ward will perform at the next Memory Cafe at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts on March 11.

Area musician Bill Ward will be the performer at the next Memory Cafe​ at Reg Lenna Center for The Arts at noon March 11.

Memory Cafe at Reg Lenna Center for The Arts is a free respite and arts program for people with forgetfulness or other changes in their thinking (including cognitive decline, dementia or Alzheimer’s) as well as their care partner, family, or friends. Participants are welcome to enjoy music performances, crafts and easy, appropriate activities to spark friendly social interaction. Light refreshments will be provided. All attendees can choose to participate or simply observe.​ ​​

Ward has been a mainstay of the Western New York music scene for some time, headlining shows and appearing with some of the best bluegrass, country and Americana acts in the business.

​Memory cafes are accepting and welcoming environments to engage people living with any stage of dementia (diagnosed or not) in enjoyable, non-clinical interventions designed to enhance the quality of life for​ them and their care partners. It is a gathering place offering social support and connection, socialization opportunities, better health, and wellbeing to older adult participants and their care partners in an accessible environment. Occurring in a wide range of settings with a wide range of programming, memory cafes provide essential support to caregivers and their loved ones. Cafes help build social connections and friendships and bring joy, meaning, purpose and belonging to participants.

The program focuses on engagement in activities to improve memory and brain health, keeping older adult attendees mentally and socially active while at the same time providing a positive, supportive, bonding, and rejuvenating experience for caregivers of all ages. Memory cafes also provide caregivers with information, resources, referrals, and a network of support. Memory Cafes are expanding across the United States, mirroring the dramatic increase in Americans who have or are expected to have Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in the coming years.

Patrons are asked to register for​ the Reg Lenna Memory Cafe ahead of time by emailing rsvp@reglenna.com or calling the Reg Lenna box office at 716-484-7070 with the names and number of attendees. A suggested, but not required, donation would support the Reg Lenna Memory Cafe, payable by cash, check​ and credit card.​ Enter the building through the Reg Lenna awning entrance at 108 E. Third St. next to Art Cloth+Craft. The Media Arts Studio is elevator-accessible.

The Memory Cafe program at The Reg is made possible by Exhale and its funders: Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and Health Foundation for​ Western and Central New York.