Library books prescribed for dementia

Events have been organised in libraries and museums to mark Dementia Awareness Week, which runs until Saturday May 23 and will include dementia friends’ sessions, a memory festival, and café and coffee mornings.

The number of people living with dementia is higher in Lancashire than the national average.

With this in mind, libraries staff are keen to do all they can to raise awareness of dementia and to help people living with it.

Marcus Johnstone, Lancashire County Council’s cabinet member for environment, planning and cultural services, said: “Libraries are providing book-based support for people as we know that this can help.

“Since the launch of Reading Well Books on Prescription for dementia in January, loans of books in this scheme have increased.

“Our collection ranges from self-help books to powerful personal accounts of how the lives of people have been shaped assisting a loved one with dementia and medical information offering practical advice about the condition.

“People touched by dementia, whether living with it or caring for a loved one, can gain crucial support and encouragement to help live their daily lives from these books.

“I’m delighted that our libraries service is supporting this initiative.”

Events have been co-ordinated by library staff alongside partner organisations including the Alzheimer’s Society, Dementia Friends and Genesis Care. You can find out more by calling 0300 123 6703 or at www.lancashire.gov.uk and search under events.

Lancashire Museums will also mark Dementia Awareness Week by offering memory tours and promoting their collection of memory boxes.

More information about the free-to-borrow memory box service is available from the Museum of Lancashire. Call 01772 534075 or email [email protected].