By Luke Voogt
A North Geelong cafe playing old-time music in the background brings dementia sufferers like Salvatore ‘Sam’ Casaceli “back to life”, according to wife Agnes.
Sam, 80, and Agnes have become regulars at Memory Lane Cafe since he was diagnosed with dementia five years ago.
“It gives me so much pleasure just to watch him,” Agnes said.
“It really brings him out. It’s like he forgets all the aches, pains and everything else.”
The Newcomb couple first noticed the warning signs of dementia a few years before Sam’s diagnosis.
They were among the founders of Moolap’s Italian Social Club in 1976, now Club Italia, and have owned various local businesses.
Sam was president of the club for about a decade in total.
“He never had to write anything down – if he was making a speech he would just go off the top of his head,” Agnes said.
“He would make some beautiful speeches.”
The last business the couple owned was a grocery shop in Newcomb, which they ran for 16 years.
When Sam had to write things down to remember them at work, Agnes said, they knew something was wrong.
“He was beginning to become quite forgetful. Finally it got to the stage when he was getting rather distressed about it.”
“They did an MRI and said he’s got the beginning of Alzheimer’s.”
Sam’s since been on medication to slow the disease down.
But it’s the Memory Lane Cafe that helps Sam’s the most, Agnes said, with its combination of familiar faces and old-fashioned music.
“It’s a very enjoyable afternoon and it seems to pick Sam up somehow. They’re all very friendly down there.”
“He looks forward to it because of the music and some of the people he’s met there. Some Italian Social Club people go there as well.”
Sam’s decision to give up golf made the cafe an even more important social outing, Agnes said.
“He’d get embarrassed about not being able to score – even though he’s get wonderful friends that were always there to help him.”
For Agnes, music is a big part of her husband’s treatment.
“I put it on at home also all the time,” she said
“It’s is a very important thing for people with dementia.”
Alzheimer’s Australia’s website quotes a number of studies demonstrating the benefits of music for people with the condition.
Agnes said Alzheimer’s Australia did a fantastic job in supporting the cafe.
“I hope it keeps going for a long time.”
Memory Lane Cafe opens 1.30pm Tuesday at Multicultural Aged Care Service, North Geelong.
Alzheimer’s Australia spokesperson Stephanie Pulz said registrations and more information were available from the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500.
