Cognitive Care Kits

 

Cognitive Care Kits help support the skills and abilities of people living with early-, mid- and late-stage dementia. Kits contain an assortment of prepared activities, games and worksheets that encourage social engagement and success with daily activities and are geared to those who have (or care for someone with) cognitive impairment from a disease such as Alzheimer’s and/or dementia. They are based on recommendations from the Alzheimer’s Association of America, Dementia Society of America, Fit Minds and Relish Dementia Activities and Products, all of which offer specialized activity products for people with dementia.

Kit Contents

Early- to Mid-stage Dementia Kits 
  • Match Up the Sayings: This memory-jogging activity has large fonts and is simple but effective.
  • Home-Themed Cards Conversation Game: The evocative series of pictures and conversation prompts stimulate the mind, help to reminisce, smile about joys and memories, and tell life stories.
  • Memory Lane Book: This book is aimed at patients with early-stage dementia who like reading but find it hard to follow typical books. With large print, short and easy to follow paragraphs and plenty of illustrations, this book looks at famous movie stars and events from the 1920s to the 1960s. It is intended to help stimulate long-term memories and promote conversations with relatives or caregivers.
  • Large Print Word Searches: No confusing backwards or diagonal words; these word puzzle activities are a great cognitive stimulation exercise as they stimulate the language parts of the brain, use the visual system to scan the letters, and use attention, memory, and planning to focus on and find the words. These are yours to keep; they are single-use and you do not have to return them.
  • Coloring Sheets & Pencils: These coloring sheets feature simple designs to allow for an easier creative activity for people with memory loss. The simple designs are less overwhelming and confusing than traditional coloring sheets. Coloring can be a therapeutic and joyful activity – there is no right or wrong way to do it! These are yours to keep; they are single-use and you do not have to return them. However, please return the coloring pencils and sharpeners.
Mid- to Late-stage Dementia Kits 
  • Track Marble Maze Game: This product features high color contrast and curved corners on a large lightweight board to aid people with visual impairments and dexterity difficulties.
  • Spike the Hedgehog: Colorful, bright and fun, this exercise strengthens dexterity and motor skills.
  • Lace & Trace Cards/Wooden Lacing Beads: These durable cards have pictures that resonate with people with dementia and that can be used as story or reminiscence starters. The repetitive nature of lacing activities is especially good for adults or seniors who are low functioning due to Alzheimer’s or other dementias, stroke or head injury.
  • Aquapaint Water Painting Art: Art is wonderful therapy. Simply paint water onto the card canvas and watch as the image magically appears. After each use, the paper image will fade back to white to be fully reusable.

Caregiver Information 

Hands-on activity products provide cognitive stimulation such as eye-hand coordination; sequencing; problem solving; spatial and fine motor skills.  

Art therapy/activities allow for self-expression and engagement, even after dementia has progressed. Studies have shown that art therapy activities help boost cognitive function in various areas of the brain and enhance communication, brain function and social interaction in people with dementia. 

Dear Caregiver – who is taking care of you? When caring for someone with dementia, your own mental stability can be the single most critical factor in your loved one’s quality of life. The Caregiver’s Guide to Dementia brings practical and comprehensive guidance to understanding the illness, caring for someone, and caring for yourself. From understanding common behavioral and mood changes to making financial decisions, this book contains bulleted lists of actions you can take to improve your health and your caregiving. Inspirational and compassionate, it focuses on the caregiver’s underlying love and humanity that cannot be taken away by any disease. 

The Caregiver’s Guide to Dementia: Practical Advice for Caring for Yourself and Your Loved Oneby Gail Weatherill

Circulation Policy

  • Kits are free to borrow with a valid Jefferson County Library card; one kit at a time per household.
  • Patrons must read and sign a Cognitive Care Kit check-out agreement.
  • Loan period: 3 weeks, non-renewable
  • Kits must be checked out at and returned to the Adult Service Desk at the Library in the Forest.
  • To request a kit, call the Adult Services department at 205.978.4678.
  • Return & Fines:
    • To avoid damaging the kits, please return to the Vestavia Hills Library’s Adult Services Desk.
    • Kits returned via the book drop or to another library will result in a $25 fine.
    • Overdue: $1.00/day, up to replacement cost 
    • Replacement cost: $50 (lost or damaged kit)
    • All items will be cleaned and disinfected thoroughly upon return
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