A dementia-friendly community

The Memory Hub brings local dementia services together

The Memory Hub is located next to the Frye Art Museum downtown.

Marigrace Becker had a dream five years ago. As program manager for the UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center, Marigrace envisioned a place where people with dementia, their loved ones and service providers could gather in a non-clinical, vibrant and welcoming environment for support, education and resources.

That dream became reality last week when The Memory Hub opened its doors.

“From the get-go, I thought about creating a community space for people to be people,” Marigrace said. “Where someone with dementia is more than a patient or a client.”

The Memory Hub is a consortium of organizations that specialize in understanding and working with community members who are dealing with memory loss and dementia-related conditions. Full Life Care is a founding collaborator with the UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center, along with the Washington State Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, Elderwise and the Frye Art Museum, where the Memory Hub is located in downtown Seattle.

Artwork created by participants in the Elderwise Adult Day Program.

The space will be home to training activities, caregiver education, support groups and other forms of creative engagement, as well as networking and education for professionals. There is a library and resource center and an art gallery of works created by those who experience memory loss.

In addition, an outdoor garden offers a peaceful place for contemplation, companionship and solace. The garden is named for Maude Ferry. The Richard and Maude Ferry Foundation made the entire Memory Hub project possible with a founding matching donation.

Maude Ferry, who lived with dementia, passed away last year.

Maude’s Garden.

For Full Life, the Memory Hub is a great opportunity to expand its dementia training efforts and collaborate with some of the leading experts in the realm of aging, memory loss, Alzheimer’s and dementia.

“We are so glad to be  part of this wonderful effort,” said Rena Ferretti, Full Life Director of Community Based Services. “This facility is going to go a long way in helping us expand everyone’s knowledge and understanding of dementia and memory loss-related conditions that we will all eventually face in some form.”

The opening on Wednesday, March 23, culminated with a ribbon cutting. Richard Ferry himself performed the honors. But before he wielded the scissors, he said this:

“This is one of the most important events you can imagine for the dementia community. The Memory Hub is going to launch a whole new program for enhancing the lives of people with dementia across the country, not just here.

Attendees at The Memory Hub opening, March 23, enjoyed crafting, Maude’s Garden and fellowship.

“And I know Maude was smiling down from heaven when she learned that the garden was going to be named after her. And I know she’s smiling down today for this event.”

The Memory Hub is now open for scheduled activities and events. Learn more and view the event calendar at www.thememoryhub.org.”

Memory Hub Director Marigrace Becker talks with Frye Art Museum Director/CEO Joseph Rosa and founding benefactor Richard Ferry.