Dementia Support in Libraries

Dementia is a general term for loss of memory, language, problem solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life.

Royal Borough of Kingston Libraries are committed to providing support for those living with dementia or a memory impairment or for anyone supporting someone with living dementia or a memory impairment.

Alongside our specialist services, we also provide more generalised support:

 

Dementia Inclusive Activities in RBK Libraries

 

Reading Retreat - Several branches in the borough host a Reading Retreat, there is no preparation needed for this discussion as the host will read short passages and then participants can contribute to the discussion, as they wish

Music with Lost Chord  UK - On the last Thursday of the month, at Kingston Library,  there is a dementia inclusive interactive music session run by Lost Chord UK with refreshments provided by the Thames View Care Home

The Poetry Hub - Every Tuesday from 11am to 1pm at Kingston Library, there is a chance to enjoy and perhaps create poetry

 

Reading Well for Dementia

Reading Well from The Reading Agency, highlights books that are not only recommended and endorsed by GPs and other medical professionals, but also those with experience of the conditions or topics covered. RBK Libraries take part in all four schemes, including Reading Well for Dementia.You can find out more about the collection on the Reading Well webpage.

Community Library Home Service

Anyone living with dementia, or caring for someone with dementia, who is unable to get to their local library is eligible for our Community Library Home Service. The Community Library arranges for books and audio books to be brought to you at home on a regular basis by a staff member or volunteer who has been checked by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

More information on our page about the Community Library Service

Reminiscence Collection

This Reminiscence collection is designed for anyone in the Royal Borough of Kingston who is supporting someone living with dementia or memory impairment, whether at home or in a care or group setting. The collection consists of a wide range of materials for use in reminiscence therapy, including books, DVDs, games, flashcards, activities, jigsaws, music and artefacts, all aimed at evoking memories and stimulating discussion and conversation.

Some materials have been gathered together into Themed Reminiscence Boxes. We have created twenty boxes and these boxes contain a selection of different items on a specific theme (such as Music, the 1950’s, Make do and Mend, and A day out). They are designed to make it easier for you to choose a selection of items without having to go through the whole catalogue. However, if you want a specific box you may have to wait for a couple of months for it to become available. Boxes can be borrowed for one month at a time. They may be collected from the Community Library Annex in Surbiton too. 

Contents of Reminiscence Boxes.pdf

 

BAGbooks: these are sensory stories which will be more suitable for people living with the later stages of Dementia

These can be used with a small group of people over a couple of weeks as the repetition and rhyme is important as is the sensory input. 

These will mainly be issued to Care Homes and Nursing Homes. 

Dementia Information in a BAG

We have put together Five bags with various books from the Reading Well for Dementia stock that can be borrowed by families or staff in settings / Care Homes and Nursing Homes 

These can be borrowed for a month at at time and each of the titles are available in every branch library if someone wants to borrow them for longer

Dementia Information in a Bag Contents

 

There are other items in The Reminiscence Collection including jigsaws with a small number of pieces, games and discussion cards which are kept at Kingston Community Library. It is not on open access but can be viewed by appointment. 

 

To book an appointment email: community.library@kingston.gov.uk or call us on 020 8547 6451