Memory cafe in the Brazilian context and in a pandemic scenario

Abstract

Background The WHO estimates by 2050 the proportion of people over 60 will be 22% of the world’s population. This scenario does not differ in Brazil. The elderly represent the fastest growing population segment, with estimates of average increase over the next ten years of more than 1 million elderly per year, which is worrying because epidemiological data show that one third of elderly Brazilians are affected by neuropsychiatric disorders. It is important to consider some conditions can represent risk factors for the development of cognitive decline. Therefore, attention to these disorders is necessary as they bring important social and economic impacts. Thus, the development of projects in this area may provide not only a reduction in public spending, but also more years of life with autonomy and independence. Based on all of these data and on our knowledge about gerontology and dementia, we decided to bring the Memory Cafe philosophy to Sao Paulo, Brazil. Methods We initiated the Memory Café Brasil (MCBr) in December 2019 and realized three face‐to‐face meetings (FFM) until February and four online meetings (OM) until 23rd May 2020, due to COVID‐19. All of them were guided according Memory Cafe Directory guidelines. Cognitive stimulation was performed during all meetings. Results 30 people have participated in the meetings so far, 14 of whom answered the online questionnaire with open‐ended questions to evaluate the MCBr. Of the 14 participants (mean 56 years old; 19SD), 78.6% were women. Ten of them participated more than once in the meetings and five participated in both types of meetings. The FFM were attended by 6 people (70yo; SD9), while the OM were attended by 13 people (57yo; 19,6DS). Most of them reported that OM helped in a positive way to alleviate loneliness during social isolation as well as making it possible to improve cognitive functions. Subjective complaints of cognitive decline was reported by 4 participants. Conclusions MCBr is recent in Brazil and is looking for ways to increasingly include people with congenital and/or acquired cognitive decline in society, as well as their caregivers, by promoting well‐being and cognitive stimulation.