Concord Public Library is pleased to announce the launch of our new Memory Care Kits, offering support to library patrons living with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and memory loss — along with their caregivers.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, over 11 percent of New Hampshire adults aged 45 and older are experiencing cognitive decline: thinking or memory problems that are getting progressively worse.
This includes some 27,000 Granite Staters aged 65 and older who have Alzheimer’s disease. In addition to the many people living with these conditions, dementia and memory loss impact thousands of loved ones and caregivers across our state.
Concord Public Library’s Memory Care Kits are designed to combat the emotional distress and sense of confusion that can accompany cognitive decline. Each kit is built around a nostalgic theme: Baseball, On the Farm, Happy Birthday, or The 1950s. The kits come in a handy lightweight backpack and are checked out as a single unit.
Contents include hands-on activities (such as lacing cards, coloring pages, or gift wrapping); discussion prompts; photography books; an audio CD for ambiance; a laminated caregiver guide; and a copy of “The Caregiver’s Guide to Dementia” by Gail Weatherill, RN. These themes and contents are selected to stimulate positive emotions, encourage reminiscence and social interaction, and provide opportunities to practice fine motor skills.
The library’s kits can be used by individuals and families or in a collective setting such as senior centers or church groups. Place a hold today by searching our catalog for “Memory Care Kit,” or contact staff for assistance.