The Halton Hills Public Library is helping support the abilities of people living with a cognitive impairment from dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or Huntington’s disease.
The local library offers cognitive care kits that contain an assortment of prepared games, puzzles, creative activities and books designed to exercise the mind, retain skills and encourage social engagement.
“If you are caring for someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s, you may not be able to access the programs outside of the area. So this is where libraries can come in,” Community Librarian Brandi Gillett said. “Things that are included in the cognitive care kits – the games, the puzzles, the books – they’re expensive. And everybody may not have access to them.”
One of the less obvious benefits of the kits is that they can help strengthen the bond between the caregiver and the person they're caring for, and mitigate loneliness.
“You want straightforward activities that you can engage with that spark conversation, spark memories; that then helps to strengthen and potentially slow the decline,” Gillette explained.
The NYU Hartford Institute of Geriatric Nursing says “an activity kit that has a collection of tactile, auditory, and visual items may provide solace (and) an opportunity for emotional expression.”
Each of the kits is different. Those interested can see which ones are available on the library’s website.
