I originally started checking out Memory Care kits to share with my mother who has Alzheimer’s but I discovered they are also appropriate to share with an aunt who is recovering her fine motor skills after experiencing a stroke, and my octogenarian father-in-law. They provide wonderful entertainment and conversation starters. I find sharing the books and activities a way to connect with each of them individually. My aunt enjoys the puzzles, coloring pages, and other activities as things she can do on her own in the evening. The “I Spy” bags are good for her to manipulate to gain more mobility in her hands.
Now to some of our favorite items: I personally love the Homemaking kit. I shared it with my mother who stayed engaged as I pulled items from the kit and shared some of my memories of growing up. It prompted ideas of things for me to talk about. Later I dropped the kit off at my aunt’s home. She explored it on her own and mentioned later that she especially liked the cookbook. It reminded her of her mother and grandmother. She had fun playing with the hands-on items.
The World Travel kit has a wide variety of places represented. I shared this kit with my mother who traveled extensively and my aunt who traveled some. Both enjoyed it. My aunt was able to share travel stories with me. My mother is in the late stages of Alzheimer’s so she no longer shares her stories, but I was able to share my stories with her. Mom’s caregiver has also done some traveling and was able to share some of her stories. The kit helped facilitate a comfortable, loving visit.
My aunt loves the Pet Friends kit. The animatronic cat has a wonderful soothing purr. Or you could turn up the sound and listen to it “meow.” It surprised us (in a good way) when it moved its head and paw. She enjoyed reading “Presidential Pets” about animals who lived in the White House at various times. I shared the book with my father-in-law who found it very interesting. The kit also includes a book of photographs of children and their pets. All of us liked looking through it.
The Backyard Birds kit includes “Backyard Birdsong Guide: a Guide to Listening” which pairs pictures of birds with bird sounds. We all found it fascinating. It also includes a bird nest with wooden eggs of various sizes for a good tactile experience. Our favorite item in the Movie Night kit was a book of photographs of actors/actresses from the 1940s and 50s. My mom and her caregiver watched several of the movies included and it provided entertainment for many evenings. The Sewing kit includes a fidget quilt with buttons, ribbons, a zipper, buckles and a variety of textures. My aunt loved it so much that I created something similar for her birthday. “Joseph Had a Little Overcoat” one of my favorite books, is another item in the kit. It is about a man who takes his coat and finds ways to use the material as it slowly wears out. His coat becomes a jacket, then a vest, scarf, tie, handkerchief, and button. I loved sharing the story with family members.
Fun with Pets includes the book “Dogs and Puppies” with photos and short descriptions of people and their pets. All three family members enjoyed looking at pictures of dogs and their people. It has a cute little sleeping animatronic puppy in a dog bed. Another fun item is a fidget quilt made of fabrics with a pet theme. If you visit older relatives, I highly recommend checking out a Memory Care kit to share with them. They have given me and my family members some wonderful shared moments. There are many more topics that I haven’t checked out yet but definitely plan to!
Browse the Memory Care Kit Collection at Daniel Boone Regional Library and place a hold on a kit that will help you spark meaningful connections during your next family visit! These kits were designed by Daniel Boone Regional Library staff with our community in mind. People with memory loss, those recovering from surgery, and many others in your life might benefit from the many special activities, multi-sensory elements and terrific books in each kit.
