Subiaco Library’s dementia awareness series a success

Subiaco Library’s dementia awareness series, which included the development of specific dementia memory kits and several community events, ran in 2023 with fantastic results.
 
Data from the 2021 local census revealed that 20 per cent of the population of residents within Subiaco were over 65 years of age, which inspired Subiaco Library staff to create the memory kits, and organise dedicated dementia awareness events.
 
Dementia Australia were brought on board to facilitate the events, and in total, they ran six events and one special drop-in one-on-one session. Event topics included understanding dementia, communication and dementia, understanding changes in behaviour, and grief and dementia.
 
Eva and John from Guide Dogs WA also spent a morning in Subiaco’s Rankin Gardens; providing the opportunity for people living with dementia to interact with guide dog Eva, and reminisce about pets from their past.
 
150 people attended these events, and the dementia memory kits have been borrowed 71 times, and reserved 22 times. These kits are rarely on the shelves, as they are issued for three weeks at a time.
 
Mayor David McMullen said, “The success of the library’s dementia awareness series reflects the value, and the community’s appreciation, of the services and events that our library offers in support of people in our community living with dementia, and those closest to them.
 
“There has been fantastic uptake; and I am sure the dementia memory kits will continue to be a very useful resource for our community.”
 
The library continues to provide a welcoming safe space for people living with dementia, and their carers, with trained Dementia Friendly staff.