‘Cognitive kits’ now available at library for people living with dementia

Kawartha Lakes Public Library now offers Cognitive Kits in partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Haliburton. These are activity kits that support the skills and abilities of those living with dementia and other forms of cognitive impairment.

Dementia (an overall term for a set of symptoms that are caused by disorders affecting the brain) affects many Canadians. Symptoms can include short term memory loss, change of behaviour, confusion and difficulties with language. This may affect a person’s ability to perform familiar and daily tasks. While dementia is progressive and will get worse there are things that can be done to improve the quality of life for people living with dementia and to help slow the progression of the disease.

The activities included in the Cognitive Kits are a great way to encourage social engagement and success with daily tasks. Each kit includes activities, an activity guide, a caregiver package filled with helpful resources, and discussion questions. The activities are designed to be altered to fit individual needs and abilities. Currently, there are eight kits. Themes include farming, gardening, seasons, hockey and more.

Cognitive Kits are free to borrow and are available to all who have a library card. Kits are checked out for three weeks to allow for plenty of time to engage with the different activities that are included. You can browse the complete collection, and place a hold on a kit through their webpage: www.kawarthalakeslibrary.ca/cognitivekits.

“We hope that these kits prove to be a valuable resource to the caregivers in our community,” says Lyndsay Bowen, library specialist for outreach and community engagement at the Kawartha Lakes Public Library.

“We were thrilled to partner with the Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Haliburton to release this new kit – their expertise and insight was invaluable.”

Visit www.kawarthalakeslibrary.ca/cognitivekits for more information or to place a hold.