As our community ages, the Springfield-Greene County Library District recognizes the need
to provide services to those who can no longer physically visit the library and who lose the ability
or desire to read due to vision problems or memory deficits. Stories for Life was created in 2012
as a direct result of this population’s service need and has enriched over six thousand lives.
to provide services to those who can no longer physically visit the library and who lose the ability
or desire to read due to vision problems or memory deficits. Stories for Life was created in 2012
as a direct result of this population’s service need and has enriched over six thousand lives.
Stories for Life is the Springfield-Greene County Library District's dementia inclusive brand.
The Library seeks to provide quality programming and materials directly to those with Alzheimer’s
living in a residential care facility or at home.
The Library seeks to provide quality programming and materials directly to those with Alzheimer’s
living in a residential care facility or at home.
Outreach
To reach community members residing at residential care facilities, staff provide a monthly
thematic outreach program to several Greene County facilities. The program lasts about 30-45
minutes and is designed to inspire, entertain and engage the residents. Staff strive to provide a light,
fun program that get memories to bubble up to the surface.
thematic outreach program to several Greene County facilities. The program lasts about 30-45
minutes and is designed to inspire, entertain and engage the residents. Staff strive to provide a light,
fun program that get memories to bubble up to the surface.
Staff and residents reminisce and learn about a range of topics. Favorite and most requested topics
revolve around local history including remembering the Frisco Railroad. Residents have also loved to
discuss country doctors and rural medicine. They love discussing all the different concoctions their
parents and grandparents gave them. Many of them involve turpentine and castor oil (yuck!).
revolve around local history including remembering the Frisco Railroad. Residents have also loved to
discuss country doctors and rural medicine. They love discussing all the different concoctions their
parents and grandparents gave them. Many of them involve turpentine and castor oil (yuck!).
Memory Cafes
To reach community members still residing at home and their care partners, the library hosts memory
cafes.
cafes.
Memory cafes are social gatherings for those who are experiencing early stage dementia,
mild memory loss or mild cognitive impairment, and a family member or care partner. Cafes serve
as safe places to have fun, find support and share experiences.
mild memory loss or mild cognitive impairment, and a family member or care partner. Cafes serve
as safe places to have fun, find support and share experiences.
Memory cafes are becoming very popular across the U.S. Especially since many cities are becoming
dementia friendly communities through Dementia Friendly America (DFA). The DFA helps bring
different community sectors together, including government, hospitals, businesses and of course
libraries. Memory cafes are an easy and cost effective way to get libraries involved in the initiative
because they are very similar to non-dementia inclusive programs offered at the branch and thus,
are easy for staff to start and maintain.
dementia friendly communities through Dementia Friendly America (DFA). The DFA helps bring
different community sectors together, including government, hospitals, businesses and of course
libraries. Memory cafes are an easy and cost effective way to get libraries involved in the initiative
because they are very similar to non-dementia inclusive programs offered at the branch and thus,
are easy for staff to start and maintain.
Kits
As a way to reach residents at facilities staff cannot visit and those still residing at home,
the library created reminiscing kits. Through a Greene County Senior Citizens’ Services Tax Fund
grant received at the beginning of 2017, the Library was able to create 25 thematic reminiscing kits.
the library created reminiscing kits. Through a Greene County Senior Citizens’ Services Tax Fund
grant received at the beginning of 2017, the Library was able to create 25 thematic reminiscing kits.
Each kit was designed and developed by following the principles of person-centered care, which
aims to respect the dignity of people with Alzheimer’s or other dementia and reflect their varied
interests, life experiences and current abilities.
aims to respect the dignity of people with Alzheimer’s or other dementia and reflect their varied
interests, life experiences and current abilities.
The kits contain various elements to engage all the senses and various levels of materials to
connect with folks no matter what stage they are in.
connect with folks no matter what stage they are in.
Popular kits include Animals, Pioneer Days, Route 66, Ozarks Music and Remembering the 1950's.
For more information, please contact:
Tysha Shay
Chair, Alzheimer’s and Related Dementia’s Interest Group (IGARD)
Reference Manager, The Library Station
Springfield-Greene County Library District
p 417.865.1340
thelibrary.org
thelibrary.org
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