SSM Health has donated $1,000 to support the Ripon Public Library’s Memory Café, which is designed for family members and full-time caregivers of seniors who might be dealing with mild to moderate cognitive impairment, dementia, or Alzheimer’s. Participants will foster meaningful connections through a variety of activities, including games, music, snacks, crafts, and more.

Both seniors and their caregivers benefit from assistance, partake in gently guided interactions, connect with others facing similar challenges, and discover local resources available to them.

“Our Memory Café events are crucial because they offer a supportive and inclusive social environment for individuals with memory loss and their caregivers,” according to Susie Menk, Ripon Public Library adult/teen services librarian. “These cafes provide a space for connection, reducing isolation and fostering a sense of belonging and normalcy. They also offer opportunities for caregivers to connect with others facing similar challenges, reducing stress and promoting well-being.”

A dementia diagnosis can significantly change a person’s life – everyday tasks become harder to perform and individuals may start losing a sense of independence as they have to lean on others. Memory cafes offer a welcoming environment that can positively impact various aspects of well-being for individuals living with memory loss.

“Memory cafés are an important component of the vision of creating dementia-friendly communities throughout Wisconsin where people living with dementia can continue to find meaning and purpose in their daily lives despite experiencing memory loss and other cognitive challenges,” according to DeAnn Thurmer, SSM Health Ripon Community Hospital/SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital president. “The goal is for individuals with dementia to live well in communities that offer understanding and various forms of support for them and their care partners.”

For more information about the Ripon Public Library Memory Café, visit riponlibrary.org, or call 920-748-6160.

In 2024, SSM Health’s local community benefit ministry totaled more than $568,000 across the communities it serves. This investment helps ensure access to health care for patients who are uninsured or underinsured, train the next generation of health professionals to care for those in need, and fund programs to address the most pressing health needs of our communities.

Laura Nakielski (left), SSM Health senior community health specialist; Nicole Gill (right), vice president, clinical administrator; and DeAnn Thurmer (second from right, SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital/SSM Health Ripon Community Hospital, present a $1,000 gift to support the Ripon Public Library Memory Café to Susie Menk (second from left), Ripon Public Library adult/teen services librarian, and Alyssa Sommerfeldt (center), Fond du Lac County ADRC dementia care specialist.