Do you remember your first after-school job?
Can you recall all those fun family vacations and holiday gatherings when you were a kid?
Or how about those favorite songs you sang or danced to with your friends?
These are memories that might be tucked away but are wonderful when they bubble to the surface. Unfortunately, the passage of time can bury those memories down deep, especially for persons experiencing memory loss or dementia. Johnson County Public Library has a new resource to help.
As our brains age, we naturally lose some ability to recall memories, but sometimes other factors come into play. Population estimates show that in 2019 more than 22,000 Johnson County residents, or 14.4% of the total population, were 65 years or older. The Alzheimer’s Association estimated that in 2020, 110,000 Hoosiers age 65 or older were living with Alzheimer’s Disease or other dementias. That number is projected to increase to 130,000 by 2025. Estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau indicate that 1 in 9 people (11.3%) age 65 or older has Alzheimer’s dementia.
Those statistics are staggering. Your life has likely been touched in some way by the reality of those numbers. Maybe a relative, friend or neighbor has been diagnosed with some sort of dementia. It can be difficult to watch a loved one struggle with the memory loss caused by this insidious disease. To help, Johnson County Public Library is pleased to announce the launch of a new resource to spark those happy, life-affirming memories for anyone struggling with memory issues.
Memory Kits are multi-sensory kits that contain items to trigger the nostalgia of years past. Thirteen kits have been assembled around themes such as the 1940s and 1950s, Holidays, Farm Life, Music and Movies and Home Life. The kits contain a variety of items, including photographs, puzzles, scent collections, books, music and DVDs. These items can trigger memories that provide a way for caregivers and loved ones to connect and communicate. Similar to the Reminisce Therapy used by some health providers, these kits allow those with memory impairment to recall the good times from the past. This can improve their mood and a general sense of well-being.
Each kit is packed in a bright blue canvas tote which is handy for taking home or to a senior facility. Included with each kit is a list of the contents and tips for interacting with someone who has dementia. All Johnson County Public Library cardholders and reciprocal borrowers can check out these kits for 21 days. The upcoming holidays would be a great time to bring home a kit to share with your family.
Visit PageAfterPage.org/LOT to reserve a Memory Kit. We hope that these Memory Kits will make a positive impact on the lives of the elderly in Johnson County.
Linda Kilbert is manager of the White River Township branch of the Johnson County Public Library. Library staff members share in writing this bi-monthly column for the Daily Journal. Send comments to [email protected].
