A joint project for Dunedin Public Libraries and Alzheimer’s Otago, the dementia-friendly reading group concept aims to bring people together to share books, stimulate memories and enjoy social interactions.
The inaugural reading group gathering will be held next Wednesday, March 30, from 10.30am to 11.30am at Dunedin City Library.
Alzheimer’s Otago manager Antoinette McLean and Dunedin Public Libraries reading promotion co-ordinator Jackie McMillan are excited to be developing the concept for Dunedin, based on programmes overseas and in New Zealand.
"We hope bringing people together to read — using dementia-friendly Dovetale Press books — will help them to make connections and ignite memories," Mrs McMillan said.
The Dovetale books, which included classic titles, were condensed and illustrated for ease of reading, but the language was not simplified.
"The idea is to read the books over several weeks, and for the group to enjoy discussing them as they go."
Each group would have a maximum of six participants with dementia and copies of the Dovetale Press books would be set aside at the library for them. Group members would have the choice of what to read, and caregivers would be welcome.
Mrs McLean said the reading sessions, which would be led by Shona Ledgerwood and volunteers, would be run in a respectful way in the calm and quiet adult literacy space at Dunedin City Library.
"For people with dementia, reading can eventually become an issue, so this kind of shared reading will help to stimulate the brain and also be a social experience," she said.
Once the city library group was established, the plan was to start similar ones at Mosgiel Library and Waikouaiti Library, hopefully in May.
"We know that people are a little bit reluctant to get out and about at the moment, so we may start small, but we are hopeful that the numbers will grow," Mrs McMillan said.
Alzheimer’s Otago and Dunedin Public Libraries have also been working to make the city’s libraries more dementia friendly.
Early this year, many library staff attended training provided by Alzheimer’s Otago, and dementia-friendly training, to become "Dementia Friends". These staff can be recognised by library visitors, as they wear purple Dementia Friends wristbands or badges.
