1. LIBRARY SERVICES FOR
PEOPLE LIVING WITH
ALZHEIMER’S
Dr.Timothy J. Dickey
ALA eLearning
Sept. 26, 2017

2. Outline
 Introduction to Alzheimer’s and
Caregiving
 Associated Information Needs &
Traditional Library Resources
 The Caregiver Experience & Library
Resources
 Library Programming for those Living
with Alzheimer’s

3. INTRODUCTIONTO
ALZHEIMER’S AND
CAREGIVING

4. Alzheimer’s & related dementias

5. Alzheimer’s & related dementias
Alzheimer’s Facts & Figures, 2017

6. Warning signs
1. Memory loss
2. Challenges in planning
3. Difficulty completing tasks
4. Confusion with time/ place
5. Spatio-visual difficulty
6. Problems with words
7. Misplacing things
8. Decreased judgment
9. Withdrawal
10. Changes in mood
www.alz.org/10signs

7. Stages of Alzheimer’s
 Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
 Mild Alzheimer’s dementia (Early-stage)
 Moderate Alzheimer’s dementia (Middle-
stage)
 Severe Alzehimer’s dementia (Late-stage)
http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_stages_of_alzheimers.asp

8. The Caregiver community
https://www.caregiver.org

9. ASSOCIATED
INFORMATION NEEDS

10. Medical information needs
Images CCL: Engineering @ Cambridge; Craig Moe @Flickr.com

11. Financial needs
Image CCL: RikkisRefuge Other @Flickr.com

12. Legal & Ethical needs
www.NAELA.org; www.americanbar.org; www.nhpco.org

13. Emotional needs
 Understanding
 Compassion
 Communication
◦ [eye contact, yes or no questions, etc.]
 Appropriate materials
 Appropriate programming
ILFA, Guidelines for Library Services to Persons with Dementia, 2007

14. THE JOURNEY,AND
THE CAREGIVER
EXPERIENCE

15. Dementia caregivers
https://www.caregiver.org

16. Tasks of the caregiver
 Instrumental Activities of Daily Living
 Medication assistance
 Personal ADLs
 Managing behavioral symptoms
 Finding and using support groups
 Making arrangements for care
 Hiring and supervising other caregivers
 Managing other health conditions
 Managing “getting through the day”
 Additional family responsibilities
 Providing emotional support
Alzheimer’s Facts & Figures, 2017

17. Resources – Non-fiction
T. Dickey, Alzheimer’s Fiction and Memoirs Bibliography

18. Resources – Memoirs

19. Resources – Fiction

20. LIBRARY
PROGRAMMING FOR
THOSE LIVING WITH
ALZHEIMER’S

21. Memory Cafés
http://www.librarymemoryproject.org
www.memorycafedirectory.com

22. Tales & Travel
CCL: http://talesandtravelmemories.com

23. Reminiscence Kits
http://www.bifolkal.org

24. Music & Memory
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyZQf0p73QM
http://www.MusicandMemory.org

25. Museum Programs
https://www.columbusmuseum.org; www.moma.org/meetme

26. Dementia-Friendly Staff
http://www.dfamerica.org © 2016

27. The list goes on…
o Reading Programs & Storytelling
o Memory Garden
o Memory Connection Ctr.
o Music Programs
o Memory Care & Tech.
o LibraryTours
o Pets and Stuffed Animals
o …?
http://www.memorablepets.com
www.rcwegman.com

28. RESOURCES
 Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org)
 IGARD (ALA group,
http://www.ala.org/ascla/interestgroups/igard
 IFLA (www.ifla.org)
◦ Guidelines for Library Services to Persons with
Dementia
 RUSA (www.ala.org/rusa)
◦ Guidelines for Library & Information Services to
Older Adults

29. RESOURCES
 AARP (www.aarp.org)
 National Council on Aging (ncoa.org)
 Reaching Across IL Library System RAILS; and other local
and statewide collaborations
 Senior Service Associates (www.seniorservicesassoc.org)
 Senior.com (for facilities location)
 Senior Living Source (http://www.seniorlivingsource.org)
 Senior Living (www.seniorliving.org)
 Visiting Nurses’ Associations
 Care Facilities themselves
 T. Dickey, Alzheimer’s Fiction and Memoirs Bibliography

30. TDICKEY1@KENT.EDU
Questions?
Other Program Ideas?