Adult volunteers are needed to assist with the new monthly Memory Café program offered by the York County Public Library in partnership with the Riverside Center for Excellence in Aging & Lifelong Health and the Peninsula Agency on Aging. The Memory Cafés are open to those suffering Alzheimer’s, other forms of dementia, or memory loss, and their caregivers. Beginning April 24, the Tabb Library Memory Café will be held on the fourth Wednesday of every month from 1- 2:30 p.m. in the Tabb Library Meeting Room.

We are looking for individuals who possess a positive attitude, are empathetic and enjoy conversing with seniors. Some of the Memory Café participants will be able to converse fairly well on their own; others may have trouble finding words. Volunteers will be trained to draw the attendees out and help them enjoy their time. Those facing dementia can greatly benefit from conversing when they can, or otherwise just being met where they are on their journey through memory loss.

Volunteers should be available on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 12:45 to 2:45 p.m. at the Tabb Library as often as possible. Volunteers are also required to attend a short training workshop prior to the first session. The training will cover communication techniques and information on how best to encourage conversation with those suffering from memory loss. The training will be no more than an hour in length; training dates are to be determined.

The Tabb Library is located at 100 Long Green Boulevard, Yorktown, VA, 23693. For a complete schedule and more information about the Cafés, please visit the library’s Event Calendar, available online at www.yorkcounty.gov/library.

For more information about the Memory Café or volunteering opportunities, please call Marjorie Hilkert, Memory Café coordinator, at (757) 345-6977.