Building Community with Dementia Services

People living with dementia are using your library every day: most of the over 5.8 million Americans with dementia still live at home, and fifteen million unpaid family caregivers also need the support of librarians. Research shows that reading ability persists even as dementia progresses, and other aspects of basic library services – social interaction, music and media materials, informational and recreational programming, lifelong learning – can positively impact the lives of these millions of older adults, and their care partners. Libraries, museums, and other cultural heritage institutions, in fact, have a wealth of “non-pharmacological interventions” to offer those living with dementia, and libraries are increasingly offering innovative services for persons living with dementia.
But in addition, to provide the most effective service it is crucial that libraries increase partnerships with one another, and with groups in the community. Partnerships give the program energy and strength. Dementia-Friendly America, for instance, is one nationwide initiative to increase dementia awareness among all facets of a community, including the library. Individual states and communities have also committed to becoming dementia-friendly. Other possible partners include government agencies, community organizations, memory care facilities, hospitals and medical research institutions, and caregiver support groups. Memory cafés that offer social and informational support are emerging as an exemplary way to ensure that persons living with dementia remain a vital part of their communities, and can be run in collaboration with other libraries, as well as faith communities, senior centers, park districts, and even other local institutions such as museums. Through these and other partnerships, as well as new programming models, the library can play an important role in making sure that persons with dementia can continue to feel welcome in their community.
Panelists in the session “Building Community with Dementia Services” will offer concrete examples of both start-up programs and initiatives for dementia-friendly libraries, as well as guidance for placing the library within a dementia-friendly community. Attendees will receive the practical wisdom of librarians who are moving outside their comfort zones, working with the dementia community, and developing programs and services to meet their needs.