Garden City Shopping Centre has partnered with the City of Melville and Alzheimer’s Australia WA to launch the Memory Café to support those living with dementia and Alzheimer’s.

The new initiative is aimed at creating a location where people suffering with dementia and Alzheimer’s can come together in a safe, supportive and inclusive community space, enjoy a cup of coffee and connect through sharing their experiences and rediscovering memories.

According to Garden City, a nurturing network such as this is vital for the ongoing wellbeing of those who are living with dementia, as the task of communicating becomes more difficult the further the symptoms of dementia progress.

The Memory Cafe will occur on a monthly basis at Garden City’s Coffee Fine Espresso, helping some of the most vulnerable members of the Perth community feel safe, secure and connected.

Dementia is a disorder that affects the regular processes of the brain. At present there are more than 353,000 Australians living with dementia, with this figure projected to increase to over 400,000 in less than five years due to an ever increasing aging population.

Garden City shopping centre is also a finalist in the business category for the WA Seniors of the Year Awards, supported by the Department of Local Government and Communities.

With Garden City partnering with the City of Melville, the centre has implemented strategies to provide outstanding service to seniors. Garden City employs older staff, supports a community information centre which is manned by senior volunteers and incorporated feedback from staff, customers and external stakeholders to improve its service to seniors.

Garden City has organised training to retailers on age friendly approaches and particularly dementia.

“Garden City sees the collaboration with the local council as innovative, ground-breaking and beneficial for our staff, tenants and shoppers,” said Clare Riley, marketing manager of Garden City, AMP Capital Shopping Centres.

“It allows us to tap into a breadth of knowledge and expertise that builds and strengthens our links and relationships with the community to enhance the shopping experience for seniors ensuring we cater and exceed expectations for every shopper.”

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