Dementia Memory Kits - Available at the Dementia Awareness Fair 4/18/26

This Saturday, April 18th, the Library is hosting a Dementia Awareness Fair! From 9:00am to 5:00pm, we will have activities going on all day in relation to those in the Flagstaff community with dementia or other memory loss, or caretakers of those suffering from memory loss diseases. Registration is required; to register and get more information on the event, you can visit http://tiny.cc/DementiaRegistration. 

We will be debuting a total of 6 Dementia Memory Kits.  The Flagstaff Public Library was able to purchase individual items to create our kits, which have been modeled after memory kits at the Prescott Valley Public Library. The library will now be providing 3 different kinds of memory kits, based on progression of memory loss disease. There will be early, mid, and late stage kits. One set of kits will be at the Downtown Public Library as apart of our Library of Things and the other set of kits will be housed on our Coconino County Bookmobile, to reach more rural parts of our county. 

 
Memory kits have been designed with tactile, visual, and auditory stimulants in mind, as these can change as the stages of dementia progress. By using memory kits it can help those with dementia to slow the progression of memory loss, as well as reduce stress and anxiety. Resources for friends and family members are also available, with a copy of “The 36-hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for People Who Have Alzheimer Disease, Other Dementias, or Memory Loss”  by Nancy L. Mace and Peter V. Rabins. 

 
The difference between the stages is that the more advanced the dementia, the more tactile and sensory based tools will be utilized, such as comfort blankets, art kits, puzzles, and fidget tools. The early and mid stage kits have more tools have more puzzles, mazes, and tools that stimulate memory in some way. They also have peaceful CDs included with a Walkman and headphones to listen.  

 
Each kit also has a theme. Our early stage kit is themed “animals” and contains picture books of animals and cats; our mid stage kit is themed “farming” and also has picture books of farm animals. Our late stage kit theme is “birds”.  

The Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library is proud to be a Dementia Friendly Community, and support our residents with this impactful event.