I wanted to go to this program because I am planning SIF grant-funded Live & Learn workshops to be held during this year's adult summer reading program. Our primary goal is to provide programming for the older adults in our community. This facilitator spoke about some of the steps she took to do adult programming in her library.
First, she looked at some of the trends of this demographic:
-Proportion of older adults is getting larger
-Increasing diversity
-Rise of dementia and alzheimer's disease
-More caregiving needed - (most often done by adult daughters who may also have children at home-the sandwich generation)
-living longer and more care is needed
-rising expectations and innovation
-desire for lifelong learning
-Independent living - value of place
Secondly, she identified some challenges that libraries face when trying to meet the needs of older adults:
-need to make innovations that can can improve lives of older adults
-desire/need for personalized services - talking with a person
Third, she explored strategies:
-asset based thinking
-possible new partners (i.e. AARP, arts groups, Trade associations)
email: www.kcls.org/50 plus
Go Casey! I think senior programming is a really neat avenue to explore - great idea!
ReplyDeleteOnce we get them in with programs perhaps they'll also want to volunteer!
I also attended this program since there is a senior living complex next to Archibald. Here are a list of useful books: Creating Moments of Joy for the Person with Alzheimer's or Dementia by Jolene Blackney; Caregiver's Path to Compassionate Decision Making by Viki Read; Personal Safety Nets: getting ready for life's inevitable changes and challenges by Dr. John Gibson & Judy Pigott. Some of the programming ideas I gleaned from this workshop - Life Reimagined workshops by AARP, Arts in Aging, intergenerational programs - knitting program - donated knitted items to shelter. Movement, repetition increases memory and learning - use children's librarian techniques!
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