North Yorkshire libraries will mark Dementia Awareness Week from 15 to 21 May with events in libraries across the county and displays of their Reading Well dementia books collection.
The 25 books on the Reading Well Books on Prescription dementia list include a wide range of titles from those that help people who have just been diagnosed with the condition through to picture books for reminiscence sessions and stories from people with first-hand experience of living with dementia.
North Yorkshire County Councillor Chris Metcalfe, Executive Member for Library and Information Services, said: “Dementia Awareness Week gives us a great opportunity to host events aimed at helping people living with dementia and their carers. We are also delighted to be able to highlight our Reading Well dementia collection of books. The collection includes true-life experiences of people with dementia as well as information and advice and has been selected by health care professionals. Dementia Awareness Week adds to the work we are already doing to provide dementia friendly libraries.”
Dr Charles Alessi, Public Health England Dementia Lead, said of the dementia collection: “Library health interventions such as Reading Well Books dementia collection will add significant value to existing dementia care as a useful support for health professionals and the general public. A dementia diagnosis without adequate and timely support for patients and carers can be a traumatic and disorientating experience, leaving people feeling lonely and excluded from their community. Libraries and schemes such as Reading Well have a key role to play in providing help in a supportive and non-stigmatised community space.”
The books are in 19 of North Yorkshire libraries now and can also be ordered from the County Council’s online library catalogue at www.northyorks.gov.uk/libraries.
Events in libraries during Dementia Awareness Week include:
Drop-in Dementia Information Event with local agencies at Northallerton library on Monday 16 May, 11.30am to 1.30pm.
Drop-in Dementia Information sessions run by the Alzheimer’s Society at: Malton library, morning of Tuesday 17 May; Filey library, Wednesday 18 May 10am to 2pm; and Scarborough library, Thursday 19 May.
Become a Dementia Friend at a free Dementia Friends information session at Northallerton library, Thursday 19 May, 11am to noon. Contact the library to book a place.
Reminiscence sessions, come and chat about times past at Sherburn library, 16 May, 2pm; Selby library, 19 May, 10.30am; Catterick library, 23 May, 1.30pm.
Join the Sporting Memories group for a cup of tea and sport-related chat and activity, Northallerton library, Thursday 19 May, 11am to noon.
Whitby library is holding a slide show of old Whitby pictures and asking people to share their memories by filling in a speech bubble and creating a “share your memories display”, Saturday 14 May, 10am to noon.
At Skipton library, Janice Smith from Making Space, an organisation that provides specialist dementia care and support to hundreds of people across the country, will hold a drop-in dementia awareness session, Monday 23 May, 11am to 12.30pm.
At Scarborough library, the local Alzheimer’s Society will hold a Dementia Friends session in the concert hall, Wednesday 18 May, 10am to noon.