Café Smaakmakers in Eindhoven seems like a typical coffee shop, but it is not. Ellie (83) works in the case and she has dementia. She works there five days a week. “Sometimes customers ask who is the one with dementia,” says owner Melissa de Laat. “I think that is only a very big compliment. That means that things are really going very well.”
Ellie welcomes you with a big smile on the face. Her nickname in the case is ‘Snellie’. Her many years of experience as a canteen manager at the Academy of Drama comes in handy. Rap brings everything around. She likes to work here. “Otherwise I would not come,” she says. “I can keep it up here. I come out of pleasure.”
“We sometimes hear the question:” Isn’t that older lady the owner? “Says the young owner Melissa. “So there are really people who absolutely don’t realize. I think you can notice it, but sometimes not at all. It’s just a very pleasant hostess.”
The idea originated at owner Melissa during cooking workshops that she gave. Her grandfather wanted nothing more than to keep doing it up and staying useful. He completely resigned at a cooking workshop from Melissa. “He really enjoyed that. The effect was so beautiful that I wanted to see it every day. A place where everyone can see what it does for people to be useful together.”
It became a coffee café. Her grandfather has not seen the café anymore. His sister Ellie also has Alzheimer’s disease and for her it is a solution. “I don’t feel like watching television at home with my husband.”
More than two years ago, Melissa opened the coffee café with her mother Jolande. That succeeded with the help of nearly 41,000 euros that came in due to a crowdfunding campaign.
Ellie has been working there from the start. “You see someone really grow and crawl out of the shell,” says owner Melissa.
“People experience shame quickly when they get a diagnosis. Whether they are afraid of making mistakes and is therefore withdrawing from social life. Precisely by being in a catering business, you come into contact with everyone. You are in the middle of society and that does a lot with people. They really belong again.”
Ellie is not only a hostess and help in the ministry. She also likes peeling apples for the apple pie. Or do the laundry. One moment she is aware that her memory will abandon her. Then she no longer knows what the order was. “Then we walk back together and then we will solve it,” says Melissa.
“That’s not about me.”
Ellie does not realize the other moment that she has dementia. “That is not about me,” she says resolutely when the conversation is about employees with dementia.
Melissa would prefer to expand to three employees with dementia. Yet it is difficult to find someone. There have already been conversations with candidates and their caregivers, but in the end it didn’t become anything. “We sometimes notice that people are underestimated by their caregivers or by care professionals. Or they are afraid they will make mistakes.”
With 83 years, Ellie could also be well retired. “But that is not in her. She says she would rather be busy. This is perfect for her.”
