The Town of Okotoks and Okotoks Public Library recently launched a new support for those living with dementia and their loved ones.

They’ve introduced 13 Memory Kits to borrow, available at the library.

Though the town has been interested in acquiring some kits as part of their commitment to being a Dementia Friendly Community, they only recently acquired them thanks to a grant from the Government of Canada grant through the Horizons for Seniors program.

Jennifer Mallamo, a consultant who worked with the town on the project, says the kits contain a few items and activities to empower those with dementia.

“The idea is to really offer an engaging opportunity for caregivers and their loved ones. Sometimes it’s challenging to know how best to spend time with our loved ones so these kits are an easy way to offer the opportunity to relate. Some things in the kit include DVDs, interactive activities like photo cards, puzzles, painting, and some of the kits have games.”

There are a few themes for the kits including Remembering the 50s, Farm, pets, and the four seasons.

There’s a strong connection between music and memory, says Mallamo.

“You’re engaging different parts of the brain, activating different parts of the brain. In my past working in a companion capacity with someone, I noticed that they may be non-verbal but when you turn on some music or sing a song from that past, those lyrics just come pouring out because they just remember that kind of stuff, it’s drawing memories from the past. It’s a great opportunity for those neural pathways to be firing.”

Adult recreation programmer with the town, Tracy Church, says they’re designed to be easy to use for just about anyone.

“We feel that it’s very valuable and useful for spouses, partners, grandchildren, a best friend, a support worker. There are lots of groups that can benefit. When you see your loved one with dementia or the person you’re caring for actively engaging, that has the ability to bring joy to your life too, a zest, a quality of life. 

“We also see these kits as offering an incredible educational opportunity to better understand dementia and to remove the stigma. We also like to emphasize that the more support a caregiver gets, the more likely those with dementia will be able to remain safely in their own homes. We see that as a really important piece of aging in place.”

More information on the memory kits can be found on the library’s website.