A Memory Cafe was hosted yesterday at the Callaway County Public Library in Fulton.
The Memory Cafe is "a social gathering for those experiencing any form of dementia or cognitive decline," according to the library's website.
This is the first time the event was held at the Callaway County branch of the Daniel Boone Regional Library. Several Memory Cafes have been held at the Columbia branch.
Two staff members of the Columbia DBRL branch led the event yesterday.
The theme for the event was "Celebrate the Winter Season," and featured winter themed activities. Those who attended the event played with Play-Doh and had snacks before circling up with the entire group.
In a circle, library employees led guests through activities that focused on the five senses. They played charades, talked about winter memories, smelled several winter smells and had a snowball fight with stuffed snowballs and socks.
The library has several Memory Cafe Kits available for checkout. These kits include items to engage with friends and family who experience dementia or cognitive decline. A wide variety of kits are available, including kits about backyard birds and movie nights.
Library staff hope to host a Memory Cafe again at the Callaway County branch in the future.
Fulton is also home to an Alzheimer's Association Caregiver Support Group.
The group meets the third Tuesday of every month from 11 a.m.-noon at the First Presbyterian Church in Fulton. The church is located at 718 Court St.
The group is run by co-facilitators Rhonda Cundiff and Lois Long.
Cundiff said people come to the support group for a variety of reasons, not just Alzheimer's.
"People come just to have support," Cundiff said.
She attended the Memory Cafe to spread awareness about the support group. She said the group is trying to spread information that the group is available in Fulton, as COVID-19 caused some challenges for the group.
Later this month, the Callaway County branch will host a Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Volunteer Fair. This will be on Monday, Jan. 16. Several organizations from across Callaway County will be in attendance, and guests will be able to learn about their missions and volunteer opportunities.
This event will also be hosted at the Holts Summit Public Library and the Columbia Public Library.