Sisters Willy (80) and Carla (75) learn something new every month at the Alzheimer's Café. They have unfortunate experience with the disease. Their now-deceased sister got it. 'Tonny was always there for us,' says Carla. 'Like a mother, almost. We still miss her every day. On Sundays we still played Yahtzee, on Tuesdays she wasn't there anymore.'
Carla's husband also has dementia. And that's why they are - still - monthly at the Alzheimer's Café. Talking with others who experience dementia helps. Carla: 'The hardest thing for me is that my husband can be very cheerful and upbeat to the home care workers, but as soon as they leave he becomes a completely different person. I have now learned that this is part of the illness and that there is no point in getting angry. But it's still tough."
Willy: "When you experience dementia up close you can handle a lot one day. But the next day it blows you away. The people here understand that very well. You can talk about it there and ask your questions. That's why it's so great that the Alzheimer's Café exists.'
Visit an Alzheimer's Café near you.
Also want answers to your questions about dementia? Visit the Alzheimer Café Amstelland and Meerlanden in Amstelveen, Uithoorn, Hoofddorp or Badhoevedorp. View the program at www.alzheimer-nederland.nl/regios/amstelland-en-meerlanden/programma-2025.
The following cafes will take place in the coming month: