Isolation and lack of social stimulation are common problems for individuals living with Alzheimer's disease or other memory disorders and for their caregivers. People with memory loss may feel embarassed or inhibited from socializing afraid they will say or do the wrong thing. Caregivers may feel cut off from the world. Both parties often suffer from a lack of creative outlets and social contact.

Deborah Danner is assistant professor of Behavioral Science, and the head of the Alzheimer’s Disease Center Educational Core at the University of Kentucky Sanders-Brown Center on Aging. She directs educational and outreach programs including the Memory Café and the African-American Dementia Outreach Partnership.