Marlborough District Library just got ‘dementia friendlier’
A second Marlborough library has been formally recognised by Alzheimers NZ as Working to be Dementia Friendly.
Marlborough District Library joins Picton Library and Service Centre Waitohi Whare Mātauranga which was recognised as Working to be Dementia Friendly earlier this year.
District Libraries Manager Glenn Webster says staff are very proud to have achieved this milestone.
We know dementia is a major issue and that it affects a lot of people, many of whom use our library services.
It's useful for us to gain a better understanding of dementia and how best to support people living with it, given it will become more prevalent as our population ages.
Alzheimers NZ's Dementia Friendly Recognition Programme is for businesses and organisations that want to ensure they are as dementia friendly' as possible, and this involves working to achieve formal dementia friendly status.
At its core, being dementia friendly is about taking a person-centred approach, learning what people with dementia need, what works for them and what they find helpful when they use library services.
Ensuring library staff are well educated about dementia is a core requirement, including how they can best interact with people who have dementia and how to present information in a way they can access easily.
All the research shows conclusively that many, many thousands of New Zealanders will develop dementia as we age - the numbers will nearly triple in coming years - and, as a society we need to do more now, urgently, says Alzheimers NZ chief executive Catherine Hall.
Our Dementia Friendly Recognition Programme is a growing community of organisations, including well-known brands that recognise the importance of building a dementia friendly Aotearoa New Zealand and of providing better support and services for people with dementia. It's wonderful to see other libraries inspired by Picton and Marlborough District's achievements, now joining the programme too.
Unless we do something about dementia in this country very soon, there's a very real possibility it will overwhelm our health system in coming years.
Marlborough District Library's journey to be accredited as Working to be Dementia Friendly was supported by Diane Tolley of the Dementia Friendly Marlborough Project, with funding from the Office for Seniors.
For more information contact Alzheimers NZ spokesperson, Daniel Paul on 021 400 993.
Disclaimer
The information in this media statement was correct at time of publication. Changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information.