Survey for Libraries Serving Patrons With Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias

Mar 28, 2017

Don’t forget: Alzheimer’s Disease listening sessions are going on now at many Wyoming libraries around the state.

From Mary Beth Riedner, Chair, IGARD/ASCLA/ALA

In 2015, the Alzheimer’s and Related Interest Group (IGARD) of the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Libraries Agencies (ASCLA) conducted its first National Survey of Current Practices (Excel spreadsheet). ASCLA is a division of the American Library Association (ALA)

More than 5 million Americans are currently diagnosed with some form of dementia and this number is projected to rise as the Baby Boomer generation ages.  The Alzheimer’s Association’s projections for each state for 2025 in the full report, 2017 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures.

The efforts of librarians of all types — public, medical, special and academic — to serve this growing population will be made more effective by working together.  Libraries have much to offer both diagnosed persons and their care partners with a wide variety of programs and services. Such initiatives will enhance the library’s relevance in the eyes of the community.

Since the 2015 survey, many more libraries across the country have begun offering programs and services directly to persons living with dementia in their communities.  IGARD would like to update its previous survey in order to get an up-to-date picture of what libraries are doing in this important area of service.

If you are one of these innovative libraries, please self-identify by completing this brief survey. Results of this updated survey will be accumulated and posted on the IGARD web page before the ALA Annual Conference in June.

IGARD is hosting a preconference on June 23, “Becoming a Dementia Friendly Library: Serving People Living with Dementia in Your Community.” They will bring in experts from the field of dementia care to provide background information and present several case studies of successful programs for this population.

If you have a question about this or any other article, please contact us at statelibrary@wyo.gov

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