Purple Tables for Alzheimer's & Brain Health Awareness Month
In honor of Alzheimer’s and Brain Health Awareness month in June, a new concept--“Purple Tables” are making a big difference in one local Massachusetts town.
“Purple Tables”, make going out to dinner easier and safer for individuals and families dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
In the state of Massachusetts alone, over one hundred thousand people are living with the disease That number is expected to double in the next decade as the “baby boomer” generation ages.
How "Purple Tables" Started
The idea of purple tables, stemmed from the owner of the restaurant, Red Raven, located in Acton Massachusetts. The eatery is using “Purple Table” reservations to make life easier for families through dinner reservations. When a family calls in a reservation for a purple table, this lets the staff know that the individual and or family may be living with Alzheimer’s or other related dementias.
The reservation ensures that more attention, patience and care are considered during the dining experience. What is included in the purple table reservation?
- A table located in a quieter area
- A table with more lighting for increased visibility of the menu, utensils, and surroundings
- A menu that includes limited choices, with photos
Helping Support Everyone In Our Community
Eating out, once a pleasurable and enjoyable experience for many individuals, may now be too difficult and they may stop going out to eat all together. This new concept, ensures that specially trained servers are available to meet the needs of families and their loved ones.
We believe this is an important step in the right direction in terms of support and inclusiveness of individuals with cognitive impairment to be able to be active members in their communities and in society. It is important at all stages of life, to continue to enjoy the things they love. We hope that this will encourage future restaurants, bistros and cafes to adopt similar policies across the Commonwealth and eventually nation-wide.
How We Can Help
If you are caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, Right at Home’s certified caregivers are specially trained in Alzheimer’s and dementia care. We work with you to develop a care plan that is tailored to your loved ones needs to keep them safe, comfortable and supported wherever they call home. You can rest assured your loved one is cared for by the Right People doing the Right Things the Right Way for the Right Reasons.
Have questions about "Purple Tables," Alzheimer's education, or how home care services can help? Contact us to get care and assistance for your needs.