West Vancouver, B.C.—The West Vancouver Memorial Library (WVML) is now one of only a few libraries in Canada to loan kits for people experiencing dementia.
As part of the Dementia-friendly North Shore initiative, the Library has added Simple Music Players and Pastime Kits to its collection.
Simple Music Players are easy-to-operate devices designed to make it easier for people facing cognitive decline to listen to music. They can be used as an AM/FM radio or can be loaded with classic songs from formative years, which has been shown to improve awareness, memory, and cognizance. Pastime Kits contain various objects to stimulate memory and provide cognitive activities for people experiencing dementia. Games, toys, books, and sing-along DVDs are included in a tote bag.
Simple Music Players and Pastime Kits are ideally suited for people experiencing dementia; however, anyone with a WVML card who could benefit are welcome to borrow them.
Head of Customer and Community Experience Pat Cumming says, “We are really happy to be able to provide these kits to support people living with dementia and their caregivers to stay active and engaged. The kits contain objects that can trigger memory to create special moments of connection with our loved ones. This feels even more important than ever right now, with so many of our vulnerable community members living in isolation.”
An estimated 70,000 people in B.C. are living with some form of dementia, and this number is expected to double by 2031.
“The Pastime Kit is so wonderful—I definitely had a great time using it for our residents on the memory floor. The team also likes using it for their activities. Please send again if possible!”
– Recreational Therapist
“The books included for caregivers offer lots of great ideas for other activities, as well—what a helpful resource.”
– WVML patron
About Dementia-friendly North Shore
In 2018, the three North Shore municipalities took concrete steps to work together to support people living with dementia by collaboratively developing the Dementia-friendly North Shore Action Plan.
Building on global and regional dementia-friendly initiatives, municipal staff, community members and service providers helped shape this framework for how North Shore municipalities could facilitate and provide more dementia-friendly policies, resources, programs and services.
Media contact
Sarah Barton-Bridges, Head of Communications
604-925-7407