Memory Care Kits

Introducing "Memory Care Kits for Caregivers and Patients"! This project was created through generous support via a Butler County Community Foundation grant.

The Aplington Legion Memorial Library's hope is that these kits not only educate caregivers about Alzheimer's and other related dementias but help create meaningful connections between patients and their loved ones.

What is a "memory care kit"?

A memory kit is specifically designed to help stimulate memories and brain function as well as to provide a calming activity for the patient while their caregiver can take a step away to accomplish other tasks.

Disclaimer: Memory Care Kits are not designed to provide medical advice as it is intended for informational purposes only. These kits do not substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

We've created seven kits available for one-month checkout. Two kits are for the early stage, two kits for the middle stage, and two kits for late-stage Alzheimer's and other related dementia. We've also created a kid's kit--created specifically for children to create connections with their loved ones and for parents to help their children understand Alzheimer’s disease.

What kits are available? 

The library currently circulates EIGHT created specifically for different stages of Alzheimer's and other related dementias. We've broken our packs down into three stages: Early Stage (red bags), Middle Stage (navy packs), and Late Stage (tan packs):

• Early Stage: "Seasons" Pack

• Early Stage: "Nostalgia" Pack
• Middle Stage: "Our Travels" Pack
• Middle Stage: "Birds & Colors" Pack
• Late Stage: "Spirituality" Pack
• Late Stage: "Dogs & Puppies" Pack
• Kids' Kit: "Let's Make Memories!"
• NEW PACK: Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Program kit, donated by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services' (Iowa HHS) Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Program. 

What does each pack contain?

Each pack contains the following:

• Caregiver's information, including a card that explains different activities in the pack

• A caregiver's reading list

• A Read-along book

• Conversation starters

• Interactive activities

• Music 

Kid's Pack: Helping Children and Teens Understand Alzheimer's and Dementia

The Kid's Kit: "Let's Make Memories" was designed for children and teens to create connections and to understand the diagnosis of a loved one with Alzheimer's or other related dementias.

Enclosed in this pack are three documents from the Alzheimer's Association to help explain this process to young people:

• Parents' Guide to Helping Children and Teens Understand Alzheimer's Disease

• Just for You: Understanding Alzheimer's for Kids

• Just for You: Understanding Alzheimer's for Teenagers 

Also included in this pack are a picture book, two activities that can be played as a family with an early or middle-stage dementia patient, and a DVD. This pack is housed in the children's area. 

Available for One-Month (30 calendar days) Checkout with Renewals