With more than 55 million people worldwide living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, and many more serving as their caregivers, it’s essential for library staff to learn how to support these community members. This webinar will offer a comprehensive overview of Alzheimer’s dementia and practical advice on meeting the needs of both those with dementia and their caregivers. We’ll cover best practices, guidelines, and actionable ideas for creating dementia-friendly services, including compassionate customer service, specialized reference resources, and engaging programming. By focusing on lifelong learning, mental stimulation, and social connections, libraries can make a meaningful difference for those experiencing cognitive decline and their caregivers.

Presented by: Timothy J. Dickey, Ph.D., Adult Services Librarian, Columbus Metropolitan Library (OH), faculty at Kent State University, San José State University, and the Catholic University of America, recipient of the 2022 ALA-RUSA Margaret E. Monroe Award for Library Adult Services, and author of Library dementia services: How to meet the needs of the Alzheimer’s community (2020, Emerald Press).

Tweet: #wjwebinar

Access recording

• View webinar recording (You will be prompted to log in to our free Course Catalog.)

Webinar attachments

• View slides (pdf)
  
• View chat (xls)
• View captions (txt)
• Learner Guide (doc) Use alone or with others to extend your learning.
  

Related resources and links

• Library dementia services: How to meet the needs of the Alzheimer’s community, by Timothy J. Dickey (2020, Emerald Press)
• RUSA, Guidelines for Library & Information Services to Older Adults (2017)
• IFLA, Guidelines for Library Services to Persons with Dementia (2007)
• ALA-ODLOS, Interest Group for Library Services for Dementia/Alzheimer’s
• Alzheimer’s Association
• Dementia Friends USA
• Dementia-Friendly America
• Virtual Dementia Tour
• Caregiver Alliance
• Dementia Action Alliance
• Reimagining Dementia
• The emotional journey of the Alzheimer's family, by Robert B. Santulli and Kesstan Blandin
• Bibliographies for Libraries:
• Alzheimer’s Fiction and Memoirs Bibliography
• The Science of Alzheimer’s Bibliography
  
• Alzheimer’s Caregivers Bibliography
• Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month 2022
• Model Programs:
• Memory Cafés
• Memory Café Directory
• Tales & Travel Memories and see also WebJunction webinar with program creator, Remember Your Patrons Living with Memory Loss
  
• Opening Minds Through Art
  
• Music & Memory, and video referenced in session
  
• MOMA Alzheimer’s Project
• Alzheimer’s Poetry Project
• TimeSlips
• WebJunction webinars
• Remember Your Patrons Living with Memory Loss
• Serving Older Adults in a Changing World
• When I’m 64: Financial Literacy Resources for Those Nearing and in Retirement
• WebJunction articles
• Golden Hour with the Library
• Memory Kits Serve Community Members with Alzheimer’s
• Additional links shared in chat
• Timeslips for Creative Storytelling and the use of Beautiful Questions
• The Dementia Inclusive Public Library Guide, created for Ohio Libraries
  
• ALA's Interest Group LSDA has a reader's advisory form for use with those living with dementia
• Network of the National Library of Medicine for funding