When Zhu Caiping, 73, was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment three years ago, she found that anxiety, depression and even looking down on herself became normal in her life. It was not until last year, after she participated in a reality show and became a restaurant server, that her situation began to improve dramatically.
The restaurant in Shanghai where she works is the Forget Me Not Café. It shares the goal of providing job opportunities for elderly people who have Alzheimer's disease or other cognitive impairments.
"I provide basic services for guests, such as pouring water, serving and taking orders. I can now remember all the dishes on the menu, "said Zhu, who has come to the restaurant three times a week since February and works three hours a day. "The colleagues take good care of us. They never allow us to deliver hot dishes such as soups. The guests are also very tolerant of us, because sometimes we make mistakes."
Because of memory loss, Zhu writes down all the information she wants to remember on sticky notes, such as the names of the volunteers and teacher as well as English words.
"People with cognitive impairment actually refuse and fear to communicate with society, but this will worsen their condition.＂She added，"With the deterioration (退化) of brain function, they may gradually lose memory and the ability to take care of themselves and might even see the loss of emotions. "In addition to the job opportunities for the elderly, information about cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease is posted on a board outside the restaurant to help people recognize symptoms and seek treatment as soon as possible.
As China faces an aging population, the increasing number of seniors with cognitive impairment has become a significant social issue. "We should feel lucky that the whole of society is concerned about the seniors, especially for people like us. The neighborhood committee always checks on our situation and watches for other elderly people with symptoms." Zhu said.