Special Topics Paper- Services and Materials for Cognitively Impaired Patrons

RA Services and Materials for Cognitively Impaired Patrons

Introduction

Not only does the public library have the responsibility to provide equal access to materials to the underserved patrons needing additional assistance and specialized resources, but, is also able to nurture the librarian/ patron relationship over the course of many years, “libraries and librarians are trusted entities–you may have people being more open and letting their guard down with you in a way that lets you observe what’s happening to them more directly,” (librarianinblack.net).  Staff training is necessary to understand the nature of cognitive impairment and effectively advise those patrons and caregivers with resources to provide mental stimulation, socialization, enrichment and engagement, “It is important to emphasize that common sense and a warm heart alone cannot cope with dementia – professional insight and expertise are also important parts of the solution. In other words, a solid knowledge of dementia is essential,” (Mortenson).   Through staff training focused on communicating with cognitively impaired patrons, carefully developed appropriate collections, specialized sensory-rich programming and joint collaboration with community organizations, the public library is able to tailor library services to positively impact cognitively impaired patrons and their caregivers.

Providing Materials 

Community asset mapping is an important element in collection development to ensure that the area libraries are able to meet the needs of all seniors, from active and independent, to cognitively impaired and dependent on caregivers.  In addition to the specified areas of interest under RUSA, libraries should also provide focused materials to engage and enrich the quality of life for seniors.  Escapism reading unleashes social and personal benefits for all seniors, “While reading, and particularly leisure reading, can be considered beneficial in numerous ways, including literacy building, social connectedness, and dissemination of knowledge, it is its transformative emotional power that is perhaps the most fascinating and complex,” (Soheli).  As seniors journey through life changes, escapism reading provides an oasis, “Leisure reading can be used as a means of escaping boredom, but can also be a critical tool for self-preservation in far more turbulent environments,” (Soheli). Physical restrictions can be somewhat relieved with escapism reading, “…escapism through reading was particularly essential because they were actually physically restricted, due to health issues or other impairments,” (Soheli). Finally, escapism reading relieves anxiety and emotional distress, “Stress of different origins…is another strong factor in seeking out escape and relaxation through leisure reading,” (Soheli).  Offering appropriate reading materials for the cognitively impaired can improve patrons’ physical and mental health.

In order to provide equal access to materials and to properly serve all level functions of the senior population, the library collection must include materials with the focus on escapism reading and enhancing seniors’ quality of life.  The Kokomo-Howard County Public Library sets an example in providing seniors with appropriate escapism materials, “…the KHCPL will begin offering Experience Kits, which will provide various items related to different experiences. Some kits seek to help people with dementia or those who are color blind, while others provide baking materials or water guns,” (Pemberton).    The kits for seniors with dementia include familiar items such as a realistic doll, or pet, items to keep their hands busy and to assist on focusing on a familiar and pleasant memory.  A book on dementia for the caregiver is also included.  The kits are an important step in meeting the needs of physically and cognitively challenged patrons, “The kits are one way the library is hoping to meet the needs of its patrons,’ said Lisa Fipps, director of media and marketing for the KHCPL,” (Pemberton). 

Seemingly, few authors write books for the purpose of providing escapism reading for impaired seniors.  Emma Rose Sparrow is a unique author, writing books specifically for the dementia patient to read.  Her series are numbered according to cognitive ability and range from uncomplicated paragraphs on each page to simple phrases and engaging photos from around the world.  Sparrow’s books cover familiar topics such as the seasons, nature and colors.  Sparrow carefully styles the books to include language that is simple and easy to understand, but not childish; to depict one picture on each double page so as to not overwhelm the senior, and to avoid language stating that the book is for dementia patients.  Sparrow’s books are engaging and offer quality escapism reading in a dignified format for cognitively impaired patrons. 

Cynthia Greene, a nationally recognized memory care specialist, also authors books that engage the memory challenged patron, such as “Through the Seasons."   Providing multi-sensory experiences on every page, "Through the Seasons" suggests topics of discussion for caregivers as well as enrichment for the memory-challenged adult.

 Eliezer Sobel authored “Blue Sky, White Clouds” as a result of caring for his 86 year old mother in her advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease.   This book contains captivating photos with simple text to attract the attention of the dementia patient.  Both Greene and Sobel, however, note on the cover that the book is intended for the “Memory-Challenged Adult.”  Caregivers might appreciate the descriptive assistance when selecting books, but, the mildly cognitively impaired senior may be upset by the obvious intention of the book.

The Sharon Public Library in Sharon, Massachusetts has developed an Alzheimer’s and Dementia Special Collection including print and audio resources designed for this unique patron population, “The collection includes books, music CDs, and DVDs such as the Teepa Snow DVD series, produced by a care expert who trains and helps agencies, facilities, and families,” (sharonpubliclibrary.org).  The special collection includes Memory Kits available for check out to assist caregivers and family members in evaluating the cognitive ability of their dementia patient and for enrichment, “The set contains several types of activities whose purpose is to help you determine the mental capacity and level of functioning in an individual with any form of memory impaired dementia. Activities range from easy-to-use sensory kits, puzzles, large decks of cards with a game-table, imagination pattern-building kits, easy sing-along music CDs, respite DVDs of common daily activities, and tactile stimuli kits,” (sharonpubliclibrary.org).  Providing library resources that meet the specific needs of the senior population suffering from cognitive impairment offers patrons with information and tools that educate enrich and improve their well-being.

The American Library Association understands seniors’ struggles in obtaining equitable access to library materials, “For a growing number of older adults, sometimes termed “frail elders” (those who are typically the oldest adults and often include persons living in residential facilities and those with various disabling conditions), equity of access is a very real concern,” (ala.org/advocacy).  In addition to personal conversations, utilizing a reading preference form, as suggested by Neil Hollands’ article, “Improving the Model for Interactive Readers’ Advisory Service,” may assist memory impaired patrons and their caregivers in communicating their specific needs to librarians, “This model [a reading preference form] meets our goals of bringing quality service to as many readers as possible, providing RA in a way that fits the realities of daily practice, and designing service to provide maximum documentation and follow-up with patrons,” (Hollands 205). Assisting in communication and follow-up interactions, a reading preference form can be a valuable tool to improve readers’ advisory services for cognitively impaired patrons.  Creative library staff can develop and acquire engaging materials aimed at providing impaired patrons with resources to improve their quality of life, similar to the Ghetto Central Library noted by Soheli where, “Reading functioned as a crucial tool of comfort, learning, and escape…” (Soheli). 

Works Cited (in assignment submission)

“Adult Outreach,” Forsyth County: North Carolina, http://www.forsyth.cc/library/adult.aspx, Accessed  22 February 2018.

“Alzheimer’s & Dementia Special Collection,” Sharon Public Library,                 https://www.sharonpubliclibrary.org/alzheimerscollection.asp, Accessed 21 February 2018.

American Library Association, “Library Services for People with Disabilities Policy,” Association of              Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies, 16 January 2001, www.ala.org/ascla/resources/libraryservices, Accessed 22 February 2018.

American Library Association, “Outreach Resources and Services to Older Adults,” ALA,                 www.ala.org/advocacy/diversity/outreachtounderservedpopulations/servicesolder, Accessed 21           February 2018.

American Library Association, “RUSA Reference Guidelines: Library Services to Older Adults Guidelines,”  ALA,   www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=adultlibrary&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDis                play.cfm&ContentID=26943, Accessed 21 February 2018.

Brautigam, Faith, “Memory Care at Your Library,” Public Libraries Online, 16 September 2017,                 http://publiclibrariesonline.org/2016/09/memory-care-at-your-library/, Accessed 22 February 2018.

Holland, Neil. “Improving the Model for Interactive Readers’ Advisory Service,” Reference & User Services Quarterly, vol. 45, no. 3, spring 2006, pp. 205-212.

Kelsey, David J. “The Power of Community Outreach Meeting the Demand of the Growing Senior        Population,” Public Libraries Online, 18 December 2017,        http://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/12/the-power-of-community-outreach-meeting-the-     demands-of-the-growing-senior-population/, Accessed 22 February 2018.

Landgraf, Greg. “An Aging Population Reshapes Library Services: Growth Rate of Older Adults Produces Demographic Shift,” American Libraries, 31 May 2016,    https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2016/05/31/aging-population-reshapes-library-services/, Accessed 21 February 2018.

“Library Services for People with Memory Loss, Dementia and Alzheimer’s,” Librarian In Black, 25 July   2016, http://librarianinblack.net/librarianinblack/memoryloss/, Accessed 21 February 2018.

Mortenson, Helle Arendrup and Gyda Skat Nielsen.  “Guidelines to Library Persons with Dementia,”       International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, 2007,             https://archive.ifla.org/VII/s9/nd1/Profrep104.pdf. Accessed 20 February 2018.

Nord, Leslie Lea. “Reaching Out: Library Services to the Developmentally Disabled,” Public Libraries         Online, 5 January 2015, http://publiclibrariesonline.org/2015/01/reaching-out/, Accessed 22           February 2018.

Pemberton, Caele. “KHCPL to loan Experience Kits ranging from dementia help to baking materials: Kits meant to ‘meet patrons’ needs.”  Kokomo Tribune, 16 October 2017,         www.kokomotribune.com/news/local_news/khcpl-to-loan-experience-kits-ranging-from-        dementia-help-to/article_80ff943e-b2a7-11e7-8c45-7fbb0143ef04.html, Accessed 21 February        2018.

Scott, Paula Spencer. “Libraries Offer Alzheimer's Activities for Senior Living: A "Novel" Idea Sweeping   Memory Care Across the Nation,” caring.com, www.caring.com/local/memory-care-  facilities/experiences/libraries-alzheimers-activities-senior-living, Accessed 22 February 2018.

Soheli, Begum. “Readers’ Advisory and Underestimated Roles of Escapist Reading.” Library Review, vol. 60, no. 9, 2011, pp. 738-747.

Witteveen, April. “As baby boomers retire, libraries reinvent services to older adults,” Library Journal, 13  June 2017, https://lj.libraryjournal.com/2017/06/library-services/senior-partners-innovation/#_,   Accessed 20 February 2018.

Week 7 Writing Prompt

Celebrity Inspired Book Clubs

The value of celebrity book clubs is debatable.  Are they simply to promote the celebrity, or do they serve a greater public service?  The study conducted by Butler, Cowan and Nilsson found that Oprah’s highlighted titles propelled public purchase of the book, “…an Oprah endorsement was enough to bring a book up into the top 150 bestsellers in America…” (Butler 32).  Did the public swarm to purchase the book simply because a respected celebrity promoted it, or, is Oprah offering readers advisory services on a grand scale?

The husband and wife book club team, Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, “huge names in the literary world,” dismiss the idea of self-promotion and emphasize their respectable goal of providing quality books to the public, “If he [Madeley] and Finnigan keep an eye on the new celebrity clubs, it's from an interested, not competitive, stance. ‘We're all out there to get people reading,’ says Madeley,” (Thomas).    Thomas notes also, that although not their main focus, celebrities want the public to know that they are more than just a pretty face, they’re intelligent people, too, “These celebrities want to show they are intelligent people and not just celebrities, that's perhaps their motive for it,” (Thomas). 

In February of this year, People magazine published online a glimpse of celebrity top titles, including one line quotes from celebrity Instagrams (People).  USA Today published an article celebrating the most highly acclaimed books of 2017 by Reese Witherspoon, Emma Watson, Sarah Jessica Parker, Emma Roberts, Lena Dunham and Oprah Winfrey, (Cadden).  Clearly, the public is curious about celebrity reads and motivated by the stars’ positive reviews, propelling book sales and….well…public reading.  Celebrities are empowered to both inspire and disappoint their audience.  Taking the time to promote literature and encourage reading is a respectable component of their public lives.  The fact that such an endorsement drastically affects sales and public popularity is a side effect of our free will and free market economy. The public chooses how much trust they place in the celebrity recommendations.   The Butler study evaluated public trust in Oprah by comparing the Oprah books rankings, “…’announcement week’ rank may be better than ‘best rank’ at indicating how much consumers trusted Oprah…” (Butler 29).  Celebrities that promote literature serve a public good on a grand scale, but do not control the effects of such recommendations.  The public has the ability to either embrace or discard celebrity book suggestions. 

   

Works Cited

Butler, Richard, J. et. al. “From Obscurity to Bestseller: Examining the Impact of Oprah’s Book Club           Selections.”  Publishing Research Quarterly, Winter 2005, p. 23-34.

Cadden, Mary, “Reese, Lena, Sarah Jessica and Oprah Told Us the Hottest Books to Read in 2017,” USA Today, 22 Dec. 2017, www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2017/12/22/reese-lena-sarah- jessica-and-oprah-told-us-hottest-books-read-2017/758893001/.  Accessed 20 Feb. 2018.

People Staff. “The Celebrity Book Club:  See What Your Favorite Stars Are Reading.”  People, 18 Feb.       2018, http://people.com/books/celebrity-book-club/jane-fonda-super-woman-rx.  Accessed 19         Feb. 2018.

Thomas, Rebecca.  “Celebrity Book Clubs:  Page Turner or Dust Collector?”  BBC, 30 June 2017,                 www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-40157799.  Accessed 19 Feb. 2018.

Mystery Annotation - Two Nights by Kathy Reichs

Author:                  Kathy Reichs Title:                      Two Nights Genre:                  Mystery Publication:        2017 Pages:                   320 Geographical  Setting:    Goat Island, SC;  Charleston, SC; Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA; Louisville, KY. Time Period:      Present

Plot Summary:

Parentless and wrestling with real world nightmares, teenager Sunday Night, (“Sunnie”) is taken in by Charleston Police Department’s Perry Beaumonde (“Beau”).  Beau rescues Sunnie from a stream of reckless acts, landing her with the choice between a Department of Corrections uniform and a military uniform.  Sunnie picks the military, which ends with a dishonorable release.  Undeterred Beau , once again presents Sunnie, isolated and living in voluntary seclusion on Goat Island, with a way out of her downward spin, “You can’t hide on this island, talking to no one, doing God knows what to yourself…You’ve withdrawn from the whole goddamned human race,” (7).  Beau enlists Sunnie’s investigative skills locating the murderers of wealthy Opaline Drucker’s daughter, Mary Gray, and grandson, Bowman, and finding her missing teenage granddaughter, Stella, feared kidnapped by a cult.   A low quality video of three suspects in the Chicago area Hebrew School bombing, where Mary Gray and Bowman were killed, is Sunnie’s only lead.  Two Nights follows Sunnie’s elite tracking tactics as she avoids and invites ambushes and assaults in Chicago, L.A. and Louisville, uncovering the cause of Opaline’s family destruction and putting the pieces of her own broken past together. 

Appeal

Intricately plotted story line

Fast paced action

Sarcasm lightens tension

Characteristics of Mysteries

·         Crime-driven plot, “The crime and subsequent investigation form the heart of the story line…” (Saricks 197). Sunnie’s investigation of the unresolved murder of Opaline Drucker’s daughter and grandson and still missing granddaughter propel the story, eventually revealing a criminal scheme of extraordinary magnitude. 

·         The story line focuses on the investigator’s discovery and realization of clues and solving the puzzle, “Since the point of Mysteries is to examine the clues and solve the puzzle, the character of the investigator plays a major role, and these two appeal elements – characterization and story line-intertwine as the crime is solved,” (Saricks 199).  Sunday Night is the focus of the story: her internal struggles stemming from the murder of her mom and torment of Sunnie and her twin brother Gus, slowly revealed through backflashes; and her relentless determination to save young Stella and capture the murderers.  Sunnie’s side kick and twin brother, Gus, cunningly track and allude criminal suspects in a time sensitive  chase, “The sidekick…often plays a key role in solving the case and in attracting readers,” (Saricks 200).

·         Frames flourish in the Mystery genre, and they contribute to the appeal of this Intellect genre…” (Saricks 201).  Reichs adds interest to the plot with a detailed setting luring the reader further into the story with in-depth knowledge of the Churchill Downs track and Kentucky Derby grounds layout and operations. 

·         The mood of Mysteries range from gentle and light to dark and sinister (Saricks 202).  Two Nights illustrates a dangerous and deadly present with unexplained murders and a dark, fearful past that continues to haunt Sunnie.  Distrust, tension and suspense first surface on Goat Island, and continue throughout.

·         Pacing moves toward the solution to the crime, but investigative details may slow the pace somewhat (Saricks 203).  Two Nights constantly moves toward discovery and solution of the puzzle, while Sunnie’s frequent flashbacks slow the pace of the overarching story line in an effort to align the characters of Sunday Night and Stella.   

Read Alikes

All the Missing Girls by Megan Miranda (2017):  Nicolette Farrell left her rural hometown 10 years ago after the unexplained disappearance of her best friend, Corinne.  A decade later, she returns home to care for her ailing father, landing in the search for another missing hometown girl and uncovering truths behind Corinne’s disappearance.

Find Her by Lisa Gardner (2016):  A kidnapped college student, Flora Dane, endures and then struggles to readjust to society.  With her crime survival skills, Flora may be able to assist authorities in rescuing a missing college student.  Flora, herself disappears, igniting a search for a sinister predator.

Never Never by James Patterson and Candice Fox (2017): Harry Blue, a seasoned sex crimes investigator is shocked by her brother’s arrest in the murder of three young women.  Harry is sent to a desolate, crime-infested location, paired with a new, shady partner.  As she navigates her new environment and struggles to clear her brother’s name, she uncovers dark secrets in search of truth – before she, herself, vanishes.

Works Cited

Reichs, Kathy. Two Nights, Bantam Books, 2017.

Saricks, Joyce. The Readers’ Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction, American Library Association,          2009.