The Library of Things for Adults with Memory Issues

Memory Care Library Blog > The Library of Things for Adults with Memory Issues

The Library of Things for Adults with Memory Issues

Description:

Creating a borrowable collection of things to try.  Some may just need to be temporary interventions or experiences.  Some may be just trials to see if they want to adopt them by purchase.

Potential Audiences:

  1. Individuals with Memory Issues including Dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Aphasia.
    1. Caregivers
      1. Family Members
      1. Healthcare Professionals including doctors, nurses, social workers, and therapists.
      1. Community Organizations and Volunteers
      1. General Public

Goal:

Allow caregivers and older adults to engage and play with the tools, toys, and games at home with family and friends for a longer term.

What kind of toys, games, and puzzles help with dementia?

When selecting toys, games, and puzzles for individuals with dementia, it’s important to consider their cognitive abilities, interests, and preferences. Look for activities that provide stimulation, engagement, and enjoyment without overwhelming or causing frustration. Here are some types of toys, games, and puzzles that can be beneficial for individuals with dementia:

  • Simple Jigsaw Puzzles: Choose jigsaw puzzles with large, easy-to-handle pieces and clear images. Start with puzzles that have fewer pieces and gradually increase the difficulty as their abilities allow. Puzzle-solving can help with cognitive skills, visual perception, and fine motor coordination.
    • Memory Matching Games: Memory matching games involve turning over cards to find matching pairs. Look for games with large, easily distinguishable images. Playing memory games can help improve memory, concentration, and cognitive skills.
      • Picture Books or Photo Albums: Picture books or photo albums filled with familiar images and meaningful memories can stimulate reminiscence and encourage conversation. Choose books or albums with clear, large-print pictures that are relevant to the individual’s life experiences.
      • Sensory Stimulation Toys: Sensory toys can provide tactile, visual, and auditory stimulation. Examples include fidget spinners, textured balls, sensory cushions, or sensory boards with different textures and objects to explore. These toys can engage the senses, provide comfort, and promote relaxation.
      • Word Games and Crossword Puzzles: Word games, such as word searches or crossword puzzles designed for individuals with dementia, can help with language skills, memory, and cognitive stimulation. Look for puzzles with larger fonts and simpler clues to make them more accessible.
      • Sorting and Matching Activities: Sorting and matching activities can be engaging and help with cognitive skills and hand-eye coordination. Provide sets of objects or cards that need to be sorted or matched based on specific criteria, such as color, shape, or category.
      • Musical Instruments: Musical instruments, such as simple percussion instruments like drums or tambourines, can encourage rhythmic movement, self-expression, and enjoyment. Playing or experimenting with musical instruments can be both stimulating and entertaining.
      • Reminiscence Games: Reminiscence games involve discussion and sharing of personal memories. Examples include conversation cards or board games with prompts related to the past, allowing individuals to share their experiences, stories, and emotions.
      • Simple Card Games: Choose card games with large, easy-to-read cards and simple rules. Games like Go Fish or matching games using playing cards can provide social interaction, engagement, and cognitive stimulation.
      • Interactive Technology: Interactive technology, such as tablets or touch screen devices, can offer a wide range of dementia-specific apps and games. Look for apps designed for memory stimulation, cognitive exercises, or reminiscence therapy. Ensure the interface is user-friendly and intuitive.

Remember, the choice of toys, games, and puzzles should be tailored to the individual’s abilities and preferences. Regularly assess their engagement and adjust the activities as needed. The goal is to provide enjoyable and stimulating experiences that enhance their cognitive abilities, encourage social interaction, and promote a sense of accomplishment and well-being.

Length:

1 to 2-week loans.

Plan:

  • Develop a collection development plan.
    • Research the opportunities to acquire and test innovative tools to use in programs and make recommendations to add to the collection or in-house usage resources.
      • Acquire, ingest, display, promote.

Space, Logistics, Equipment, Materials and Supplies:

  • Space for display
    • Online webpage of the memory care portfolio collection

Potential community partners and outreach:

  • Alzheimer’s Association
  • Dementia-friendly Communities
  • Memory Care Facilities and Senior Centers
  • Healthcare Providers and Social Service Agencies
  • Aging and Gerontology Organizations
  • Nonprofit Organizations
  • Community Support Groups
  • Local Universities, Colleges, and Research Institutions

When approaching these organizations, it is helpful to have a clear vision of the library’s goals and resources. Be open to discussing potential partnerships, sharing ideas, and identifying areas where collaboration can benefit both parties. Building strong relationships with these organizations can enhance the library’s capacity to serve individuals with dementia and their families effectively.

Marketing:

  1. Pick and test a great and non-stigmatized program title.
  2. Work with your partners to communicate with potential participants and caregivers.
  3. Search and engage with local networks, seniors club and residences, and social media (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, etc.)
  4. Consider outreach and off-site programs.

Evaluation:

  • Ask participants and caregivers for feedback for impact and improvement.
  • Evaluate your program as a series and as an event.
  • Collect feedback and testimonials.
  • Engage partners and outreach sites in evaluation.

Tips: Look to the following websites for inspiration:

MindCare Products to Consider

Date Clockhttps://www.mindcarestore.com/Alzheimers-day-date-flip-clock-p/mc-0048.htm
Simple Music Playerhttps://www.mindcarestore.com/music-player-p/mc-2115.htm
Headphoneshttps://www.mindcarestore.com/simple-headphones-elderly-p/mc-2118.htm
Art ballhttps://www.mindcarestore.com/creative-activity-art-ball-p/mc-0206.htm
Busy Boardhttps://www.mindcarestore.com/Busy-Work-Activity-Board-Alzheimers-p/mc-0207.htm
Busy Cubehttps://www.alzstore.com/dementia-sensory-tactile-busy-fidget-cube-p/0221.htm
Fidget Toy
Widget toyshttps://www.alzstore.com/relish-adult-fidget-widget-toy-p/0217.htm
Fiddle Muffhttps://www.alzstore.com/fur-fiddle-hand-muffs-alzheimers-activity-p/0216.htm
Mazehttps://www.alzstore.com/marble-mazes-activity-for-dementia-p/0219.htm
Activity Apronhttps://www.alzstore.com/fidget-busy-apron-p/0138.htm
Total Brain Healthhttps://www.alzstore.com/toolbox365-brain-health-training-activity-p/0082.htm
Toolboxhttps://www.mindcarestore.com/activity-handyman-box-dementia-p/mc-0088.htm
Memory Cardshttps://www.mindcarestore.com/conversation-photo-picture-cards-p/mc-0097.htm
Shake loose ALLhttps://www.mindcarestore.com/shake-loose-a-memory-game-p/mc-0339-0004.htm
Alzheimer Proofing you Homehttps://www.mindcarestore.com/complete-guide-to-alzheimers-proofing-your-home-p/mc-2149.htm
Bible Verseshttps://www.alzstore.com/verses-from-the-bible-p/2153.htm
Everyday Fashionhttps://www.alzstore.com/everyday-fashions-p/2206.htm
36-hour Day.https://www.alzstore.com/36-Hour-Day-Book-for-Alzheimer-s-Care-p/2229.htm
Reusable Painthttps://www.alzstore.com/paint-with-water-coloring-sheets-p/2087.htm
Call to Mindhttps://www.mindcarestore.com/conversation-game-for-alzheimers-p/mc-h012.htm
Bird Puzzlehttps://www.alzstore.com/bird-puzzles-w-tray-for-dementia-p/0230.htm
Puzzle set of 4https://www.alzstore.com/farmland-puzzles-w-tray-for-dementia-p/0330.htm
-Memory Cardshttps://www.mindcarestore.com/conversation-photo-picture-cards-p/mc-0097.htm
Aerobics for the mindhttps://www.alzstore.com/exercise-memory-cards-p/0076.htm
Weighted body padhttps://www.mindcarestore.com/weighted-lap-body-pad-sensory-anxiety-therapy-p/mc-m008.htm
Sensor Wraphttps://www.mindcarestore.com/weighted-wrap-sensory-anxiety-therapy-p/mc-m010.htm
Puppieshttps://www.alzstore.com/ambient-puppies-dvd-p/2096.htm
arthttps://www.alzstore.com/ambient-art-dvd-p/2098.htm
waterhttps://www.alzstore.com/ambient-water-dvd-p/2099.htm
Bathing w/o battlehttps://www.alzstore.com/bathing-without-a-battle-dvd-p/2059.htm
Teepa (u pick 4)https://www.mindcarestore.com/teepa-snow-dvds-p/mc-0704.htm
Condition Cardshttps://www.alzstore.com/i-have-a-condition-card-p/0342.htm
Lacing Cardhttps://www.alzstore.com/lacing-activity-for-elderly-with-Alzheimers-p/0213.htm
Magic Coloring bookhttps://www.mindcarestore.com/magic-painting-book-p/mc-2080.htm
Christmas Coloringhttps://www.mindcarestore.com/Alzheimer-s-Christmas-magic-painting-book-p/mc-2082.htm
Snow Queen Coloringhttps://www.mindcarestore.com/Alzheimer-s-Snow-Queen-magic-painting-book-p/mc-2084.htm
Wood Puzzles (4)https://www.alzstore.com/wooden-puzzles-w-tray-for-dementia-p/2086.htm
Baby Doll Therapyhttps://www.mindcarestore.com/dementia-baby-doll-therapy-p/mc-0501.htm
Life Station w/accessorieshttps://www.alzstore.com/artist-life-station-p/1100.htm
Ungame for Seniorshttps://www.mindcarestore.com/ungame-for-seniors-p/mc-h010.htm
Match it Game (4)https://www.alzstore.com/match-it-game-vintage-edition-p/3500.htm
All About Us gamehttps://www.alzstore.com/memory-activity-game-for-dementia-p/h014.htm
Dog Cathttps://www.mindcarestore.com/Joy-For-All-Pets-Companion-Alzheimer-doll-therapy-p/mc-0604.htm