ABSTRACT
Anyone who has cared for someone over the course of a dementing illness will know that the title of this chapter rings true. That is not to say that there are not lighter and tender moments, but it is to acknowledge that something very heavy and serious occurs over the course of a prolonged terminal illness such as dementia. It is also true that it is difficult to speak openly about the feelings behind living through a trauma, drama and tragedy. The statement below contains a universal truth. It is this truth that has prompted many professionals to seek alternative ways of supporting those who undergo a dementing illness: both the families and the persons with a dementia themselves. This is the motivation underlying the development of the Alzheimer Café concept. The first part of this chapter will introduce the underlying concepts to the development of the Alzheimer Café. The second part is a brief manual providing details about the content, planning and running of an Alzheimer Café.
