Your Dementia-Friendly Library

Did you know that more than 600,000 Canadians are currently living with some form of dementia? According to the Landmark Study released by the Alzheimer Society of Canada in 2022, this number will triple to over 1.7 million people within the next 30 years.

Dementia is the general word for the wide-ranging symptoms caused by disorders affecting the brain. While there are various causes of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease remains the most common.

With a growing number of people living with or caring for people with dementia in Canada, we all have a part to play in making our community inclusive and supportive of people living with dementia. Here is how Burlington Public Library can help you.

Supportive Library Collections & Programs

Burlington Public Library supports learning for life at every stage of development, from birth through late adulthood. The library offers free health and well-being programs for adults who want to boost their health and reduce risk factors for dementia. We partner with local organizations like Alzheimer Society of Brant, Haldimand Norfolk and Hamilton Halton, and Burlington Family Health Team to provide workshops in person and online. During sessions led by local health practitioners and educators, you can take important first steps to become healthier in mind and body.

Seven older men and women sitting in chairs curling small hand weights

If you provide care for a friend or family member with dementia, you can borrow cognitive care kits with your BPL card. Cognitive care kits help support the skills and abilities of people with early-, mid-, and late-stage dementia. Each of our 20 unique dementia-friendly kits includes various prepared activities, games, and workbooks. They are a great way to encourage social engagement and promote success with daily activities. The library also has plenty of books and magazines that people with dementia can enjoy, including collections of short stories, poetry, and coffee-table books with colourful photographs. We’re always happy to make recommendations based on individual needs.

Two bins filled with puzzles and activities labelled Late Kit 20 and Late Kit 19

Reading has been linked to boosting brain health, and we’ve certainly got you covered there! Finding inspiring reads is made easy with our Handpicked For You service where BPL staff provide a book list or bundle based on your interests and needs. If mobility is a challenge, we can set aside your items for someone to pick up on your behalf.

Connecting You to Community Support

If you or someone you know needs help isn’t sure where to start, we’re here for you. Call or email Information Burlington, Burlington Public Library’s community information and referral service. You can reach them at 905.639.3611 extension 1212 or infoburlington@bpl.on.ca for personal, confidential assistance. We also maintain the Halton Seniors’ Services Directory, which you can access online anytime. Look under Memory Loss/Dementia to find local resources and help.