5 - Health, Social and Arts Activities

Summary

Connection is the key and anything that facilitates that connection is prioritised.

(Sara Griffiths, The National Archives, UK, in e-mail to author)

Chapter 4 focused on reading-related resources and activities that libraries might offer for people with dementia and their carers. This chapter considers a wider range of activities that libraries might also provide. Broadly speaking, these fit under three themes: health-related or therapeutic initiatives; activities emphasising the importance of social connections; and arts-related activities that encourage involvement in a variety of art and cultural activities. Each of these three areas is underpinned by a distinct set of research literature that explains how and why these activities might be helpful for someone with dementia. Some of this research is outlined briefly within each section and, for each of the three themes, there are a number of examples and case studies illustrating the types of practical activities that libraries can offer. Activities specifically for people with dementia are of course important, but libraries also need to consider adjustments that can be made to enable people with dementia to join in activities aimed at a broader population. As far as possible, both approaches are reflected in the case studies described.

Health and therapy-informed activities

The first theme covers activities that have been developed on the basis of health-related research and established therapeutic techniques. This can include a range of areas, and the examples below are just some instances of how knowledge from this field can be incorporated within library activities.

CST group work, Norwich Prison Library, UK

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is a technique that research has found to be suitable for people with mild to moderate dementia. According to a Cochrane review (a systematic review of primary research in health care and health policy prepared and maintained using specific methodologies described in the Cochrane Handbook) on the potential benefits of CST for people with dementia, programmes were found to bring cognitive benefits in people with mild to moderate dementia over and above any medication effects. Other outcomes from this approach need more exploration, but improvements in self-reported quality of life and wellbeing were promising (Woods et al., 2012).

Group CST treatment involves 14 or more sessions of themed activities, which typically run twice weekly. The initial sessions may be followed by longer-term ‘Maintenance CST’.