Bristol Senior Center Aids in Reducting Stigma of Memory Change

July 2025 - Published in: 2024 Annual Report - Few things connect all people through the past and the present, but growing older is one of them. The process of growing older can be accompanied by changes to one’s memory and cognition, which can add extra challenges to the lives of those experiencing the change, as well as their family and caregivers. This can often make socialization or fun activities more difficult to engage with, or simply less of a priority, but that does not always have to be the case.

MSCF awarded an $800 grant from the Money in Motion Fund to the Bristol Senior Center to support their Memory Café. The Memory Café is a social event designed specifically for seniors experiencing cognitive change, like memory challenges from Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, and their care givers. This gives participants the opportunity to socialize without stigma and to interact with other people experiencing similar circumstances. Programs like this encourage equity and promote community building.