Memory Connections is a new initiative to support community members living with dementia and their care partners. Below are the programs and events available to anyone who would benefit from this type of support.
Memory Connections is inspired by Marty Coyne, a retired tennis coach who works tirelessly in honor of his wife, Lisa, who is living with dementia. Seeing a community-wide need for more support, Marty began forming support groups and other community opportunities with Hazley Yeager, a speech pathologist who works with dementia patients in her Brighter Pathways Speech and Cognitive Services practice. Early in 2025, they teamed up with the staff at the Bloomsburg Public Library who were interested in forming a Memory Café program for people with memory loss and their care partners as part of their goal of serving as a community center. A team of six was formed to bring the initiative to life.
Lisa’s Memory Café at the Bloomsburg Public Library
A place for connection, creativity, and community
Join us for a welcoming social gathering designed for individuals living with memory loss and their care partners. Enjoy delicious baked goods, a warm cup of coffee or tea, and meaningful time spent together making new friends and trying out new activities. Relax and spend time with people who have experience interacting with people living with memory challenges. Each month offers something new such as engaging activities, creative art projects, and the chance to connect with others who truly understand. Whether you come to participate or simply to relax and enjoy the company, you’ll always be among friends and, above all, become a community! We meet on the First Thursday of each month, 11:00 AM-12:30 PM. There is no cost to participate in this program. Registration is required. Space is limited. For more information, please call the library at 570-784-0883.
Memory Meetups at Bloomsburg Public Library
On some Thursdays, Library Social Worker Emily Kahn will coordinate and train community volunteers and pair them up with care partners and their loved ones on the dementia journey. They will eventually visit the library together on a weekly basis with their assigned volunteer for Memory Meetups, creating another moment of normalcy for the family.
Memory Connections Support Group at Shiloh Bible Church
Join Hazley Yeager, Speech-Language Pathologist and Certified Dementia Practitioner, at this welcoming group for care partners and those living with memory loss. While individuals with memory loss participate in activities with supportive, trained volunteers, their care partners receive guidance, connection, and support. The group meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 10:00–11:30 AM. Advance registration is required. To register, please contact Brighter Pathways Speech & Cognitive Services at 570-979-1199.
Purple Plate Meals
On the third Wednesday and fourth Saturday of each month, Turkey Hill Brewing Co.’s downstairs area becomes a welcoming, supportive space for individuals living with dementia and their families and friends. These dementia-friendly meals create an inclusive atmosphere, strengthen community connections, and provide care partners with a stress-free dining experience. Guests can relax, socialize, and enjoy a meal while staff ensure everyone feels understood and supported. To register, please contact Brighter Pathways Speech & Cognitive Services at 570-979-1199. Space is limited.
Aging in Community at Bloomsburg Public Library
Emily Kahn, MSW, hosts a monthly gathering of older community members who are seeking camaraderie and support as they experience the challenges and wonders of aging together. What is this “growing old” business all about, anyways?
We use carefully selected books and excerpts as a springboard for conversation. Emily is not one to shy away from uncomfortable topics, but she also seeks to bring some levity and humor to the table. The goals are to demystify the process of aging, to bring folks together in shared experience, and to gain insight from authors and from each other. No registration necessary. For more information, please call the Library at 570-784-0883.
Anticipatory Grief at Bloomsburg Public Library
Emily Kahn, MSW, hosts a monthly support group that is specially designed for care partners of loved ones who are experiencing terminal illness, including dementia. The anticipation of losing someone close, the “long goodbye” as it is commonly referred to, can be isolating and confusing. This group allows for the opportunity to share in the company of others who are moving through a similar life experience in a supportive, judgement-free environment. No registration necessary. For more information, please call the Library at 570-784-0883.
Ask a Social Worker at Bloomsburg Public Library
Emily Kahn, MSW, offers a monthly opportunity for community members to receive extra social support at the Bloomsburg Public Library. She is available to provide referrals to community resources, one-on-one meetings to discuss or share life challenges, grief support, and other caring assistance. Visitors can meet with her on a walk-in basis or schedule an appointment with her in advance by calling the Library at 570-784-0883.
Grief Support Group at Bloomsburg Public Library
Emily Kahn, MSW, hosts a weekly Grief Support Group at the Bloomsburg Public Library, where she is the social worker on staff. She has over a decade of experience helping guide people through end-of-life challenges, long-term living goals, and bereavement. This weekly group offers participants the opportunity to remove their “mask” with others who have experienced significant loss and move towards healing together. No registration or appointment necessary. For more information, please call the Library at 570-784-0883.
TimeSlips™ at Bloomsburg Public Library
TimeSlips™, a international research-based program, will be part of this new Memory Connections initiative. Making up stories together is at the heart of the TimeSlips concept. By providing users with playful photographic and verbal prompts and questions to guide the creation of an original story, TimeSlips releases people living with dementia from the pressure to remember and replaces it with the freedom to imagine. A local speech pathologist and dementia expert, Carrie Vitko, will guide these programs, with the first one happening on Saturday, October 18 at 10:00am at the library.
DFSV Caregiver Support Group at KMA
Dementia Friendly Susquehanna Valley (DFSV) in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association offers a monthly caregiver support group. It is typically the 4th Thursday evening of each month at 6 pm in the Kreisher Marshall & Associates building on the corner of 4th and Market Street in Bloomsburg; however, the schedule will be adjusted as needed depending on conflicting events such as holidays. This group provides a time for caregivers to share what they are going through and cultivates a supportive atmosphere. We also schedule relevant guest speakers from time to time to provide current resources and education. All are welcome. To register, please call Elaine Spicher at 570-784-5211.
Crafting at The Exchange
Dementia Friendly Susquehanna Valley in partnership with The Exchange in Bloomsburg offers a monthly activity where those individuals with dementia and their care partners come and have a time filled with good conversation and a simple art activity. However, this is less about the art activity and more about spending time together in a safe and inclusive environment while enjoying each other’s company. When at the Exchange, individuals will also have the opportunity to explore and enjoy the art gallery display which themes change monthly. We meet on the second Wednesday of each month at 1:30 PM. Please contact Elaine Spicher at 570-784-5211 for more information.
Dementia Support Group at Maria Joseph Manor
Our group at Maria Joseph Manor aims to provide emotional support, practical advice, and educational resources to help caregivers navigate the complexities of dementia care. Our monthly group offers a safe space where caregivers and family members can express their feelings, share their challenges, and learn from others who understand their situation. For more information, please contact Cassie Herrod at 570-275-6100 Ext 1612.
Upcoming Events
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