Cognitive Impairment Mental Health Memory Kits

for Older Adults

The Mendocino County Library is excited to announce the introduction of a new resource for older adults: Mental Health Memory Kits!  Each memory kit or memory bag is filled with activities centered on a specific theme or a common time frame intended to create conversation among caregivers and a person with cognitive issues.

These kits are intended for people living with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or cognitive impairment and their caregivers and are intended to prompt conversations and familiar memories. For adults experiencing memory loss, these kits can help provide mental and emotional stimulation which helps strengthen connections and foster engagement with caregivers.

Each kit includes a variety of tools such as soothing music, large print books with colorful pictures, interactive activities, movies, music and in some cases a portable CD player. Themes include, “The 1940's, 50's, 60's," “Just for Caregivers," and a set of kits broken down into the different stages of dementia to include kits for the "early-mid" stages of dementia, "mid-late" stages, and the "late" stage. Each stage has appropriate materials for the different levels of activity. The kits feature items for patrons to touch, move and reminisce about the past. Each kit checks out for three weeks and can be accessed with your Mendocino County Library card.

Each kit contains:

• Interactive activity
• Large print book and colorful illustrations that are designed for people with memory loss
• Soothing or nostalgic music
• Audiovisual materials

How it works:

1. Check it out with your library card!
2. Checks out for three weeks
3. Can renew up to two additional times if no one is waiting for it and if your account is in good standing
4. Kit must be picked up and returned directly to staff at any branch of the Mendocino County Library; these kits may not be placed in the bookdrop.

Several branches of the Mendocino County Library have a selection of Mental Health Kits. 

For more information, please contact your local library branch or the Mendocino County Library at (707) 234-2873.