Rivière-des-Prairies library joins forces with Alzheimer’s association for support services

The Rivière-des-Prairies Library joined forces with an Alzheimer’s association to provide support services for those with cognitive disorders by providing take-home kits.

The kits include various activities and games that stimulate cognitive and motor skills. It helps with practising basic tasks, like tying their shoes. The goal is to help improve their quality of life.

“We saw a need in the community, so it’s to have an open door for people who have Alzheimer’s or cognitive disorders,” said Rivière-des-Prairies library director Audrée-Ann Ramacieri-Tremblay.

The idea originated from the Pointe-Claire library, which initially started the project. The library in RDP was inspired and decided to implement it in their library as well.

The kits are aimed at helping those 55 and over, but everyone is welcome to take them, and can use them in a way they think will help.

“Each kit is different. We have five different kits. And in the kits, we have books. And also books that it’s more like picture books is just to spark a memory. So the person that is looking at the book can talk about a memory and just working on cognitive part of his brain,” said Ramacieri-Tremblay.

“And we also have in those kits musical instruments, craft sheets, and also physical workout they can do. So it’s really working on all the part of the person and the brain and trying to help them keep their cognitive abilities the longer.”

Two counselors from the Alzheimer Society of Montreal visit the library once a week to offer guidance, support, and answer questions. They also help connect people to available services.

“The Alzheimer Society provides a lot of services to support caregivers and people who live with a neurocognitive disorder,” said Jessika Cecchini, a counsellor for caregivers at the Alzheimer Society of Montreal. “The role of the counsellor specifically is to provide individual accompaniment. So we have one counsellor who works with people who have a diagnosis of neurocognitive disorder and the other works with caregivers.

“And so when we talk about caregivers, we’re really talking about informal caregivers. So the entourage, the spouses, siblings, friends, neighbours, anybody who provides support to someone who has a diagnosis.

“And then the goal of being here basically is to make that first contact easier. And so if someone comes, for example, they have questions about their situation, they just got a diagnosis and they’re not too sure what to do with it, what is the next step, what does it really entail for the future, people can come and talk with the counsellors here and then figure out what the next step is and how can we help them best.”

The counsellors can meet those who make an appointment, but also accept walk-ins.

“It helps still reduce the stigma… we are here to support, there are resources, and you can come talk to us, and we’ll help you,” said Cecchini.

In every kit there is a survey, so those who take them out can offer their feedback and in a few months’ time, the library hopes to improve them based on the population’s needs.

“So it’s really in the mission, the vision of the library to welcome everyone and to be able to help them the way they want,” said Ramacieri-Tremblay.