The Whitby Public Library has launched a new dementia-friendly collection of books in honour of Word Alzheimer’s Awareness Month.
The books were made possible thanks to a partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society of Durham Region.
“We are thrilled to be offering this new collection to our community,” said Whitby Public Library CEO Rhonda Jessup. “Our commitment to being a dementia-friendly supporter aligns with our values as an organization that strives to nurture a sense of care and belonging.”
The goal of the library’s partnership with the Alzheimer Society Durham Region is to raise awareness, decrease stigma, and reduce social isolation for those affected by dementia.
By 2030, nearly a million people in Canada will be living with dementia and at the end of 2024 an action plan was developed with library staff undergoing dementia-friendly training. A new series of dementia-friendly signs were posted at all library locations.
This month, the library launched the dementia-friendly books featuring special fonts, navigation cues, and stories that are easier to follow. The library also offers memory care kits which promote engagement between people living with dementia and their family, friends, and caregivers.
Updated library signage to increase accessibility is now used by the Alzheimer Society of Durham Region in training sessions as an example of best practice for community organizations.
The Whitby Public Library is the first organization in Durham to enter into a partnership with the local Alzheimer Society and the library received dementia-friendly community decals, recognizing its efforts to create safe, welcoming, and inclusive spaces for people living with dementia and their care partners.
The library is currently hosting an Alzheimer Society Durham Region display at the Central Library and is providing the use of library space to help raise awareness and share community resources.