Dementia Friendly Library
Part of the Bergen County Dementia Friendly Library Initiative - with the Bergen County Division of Senior Services and the Act Now Foundation.
The Ramsey Library now offers a number of resources on Dementia and Alzheimer’s. Resources are available for both caregivers and for individuals with Dementia and Alzheimer’s. Resources include curated books and guides, informational handouts, Memory Kits that can be borrowed for free and informational sessions for caregivers. See our Events page for listings. The library will continue to expand these offerings as we move forward.
Memory Kits
The library now has Memory Kits available for anyone to borrow for free from the Ramsey Library. The library’s memory care kits are designed for people with Alzheimer’s, dementia, memory loss, or cognitive impairment. Each themed kit is designed to stimulate the mind and encourage positive, engaging interactions between an individual and their care partners. While encouraging brain activity, these kits promote a higher level of cognitive and emotional well-being.
All of the kits contain items to promote reminiscing such as books, puzzles, games, videos, and music. DVD and CD players can also be borrowed if needed to fully appreciate all items in the kits.
How to Borrow a Memory Kit
Memory kits are available to borrow in our Library of Things collection. You can either reserve a kit for a specific day to pick up and borrow for up to two weeks at a time. Or you can simply stop by the library and if there is a kit available, library staff can help to check the kit out for you. You just need a library card - and that’s it :)
We have three themed memory kits available. Each kit contains items like printed word puzzles and coloring pages, which are yours to keep. The rest you can simply return with the bag to the library when finished. Here is the full list of items in each kit. Click on the title of each to be brought to the page to reserve each of the following kits:
General Memory Kit (purple bag) - paint brushes, puzzle, color pencils, deck of 3-D cat cards, reusable watercolors, puzzle book, folder of word puzzles and coloring pages and fidget items for tactile stimulation.
Music Themed Memory Kit (blue bag) - CD player Walkman (with batteries), headphones, music CD, paint brushes, jigsaw puzzle, color pencils, music book with photos, deck of conversation starter cards cards, reusable watercolors, folder of word puzzles and coloring pages and fidget items for tactile stimulation.
Arts and Crafts Themed Memory Kit (pink bag) - paint brushes, puzzle, color pencils, deck of conversation starter cards cards, reusable watercolors, large art book, folder of word puzzles and coloring pages and fidget items for tactile stimulation.
Books and Handouts
The library has a collection of books and materials for caregivers to provide guidance and assistance. We also have a list of resources and organizations that are available to help with caregivers and individuals with Dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Books
Where to look for books: visit the 616.831 section of our nonfiction collection to find many books to help. Ask a library staff member for help. The library has a collection of books, which includes specific items selected and provided by the Bergen County Division of Senior Services.
Guides and Handouts
We have a number of materials available in our Assistance Resources section. This is located in our Quiet Study Room, where there are many materials you can take for free as guides. We also have material listed on our Assistance Resources webpage. Click on that link to view curated lists of resources and organizations that can provide support.