February 17, 2026 - Perspectives in Aging Community of Practice

Members - FREE

Non-Members - $20

Virtual Meeting 7:00 pm 

Number of Contact Hours: 1.0

REGISTER HERE! 

Link to Webinar will be included in your registration confirmation email.

Summary of Event:

Title: Memory Cafes to Promote Engagement

Memory cafés are an evidence-based community intervention that promote social participation for people living with dementia and their care partners. Using a strengths-based occupational therapy approach, cafés incorporate environmental and activity modifications to support meaningful engagement, reminiscence, and peer connection. Participant feedback demonstrated improved emotional well-being, reduced isolation, and increased caregiver support. Occupational therapists are uniquely positioned to design and facilitate memory cafés as inclusive spaces that enhance quality of life and community participation.

Facilitator and Speaker: 

Facilitator: Susan Giannitti, OTR/L

Speaker: Laura Novak OTD, OTR/L, BCG

 Learning Objectives Attendees Should Achieve:

At the end of the session, participants will be able to:

1. Describe memory cafés as an occupation-based approach to social participation for people living with dementia and care partners.

2. Identify the occupational therapy role in designing and facilitating memory cafés.

3.Recognize psychosocial benefits for participants and caregivers, including engagement, support, and well-being.

Bio/Background of the Speakers:

Laura Novak OTD, OTR/L, BCG just accepted a position as assistant professor of professional practice, Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program at Texas Christian University. She is the lead author of The Occupation of Social Participation Memory Cafes to Promote Engagement (among other publications) https://www.aota.org/publications/ot-practice/ot-practice-issues/2025/the-occupation-of-social-participation-memory-cafes-to-promote-engagement. She is also the former chairperson of AOTA Home and Community SIS.

This event is sponsored by Connecticut occupational therapy practitioners. ConnOTA is supporting this event by overseeing the award of CEUs for registered participants.