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Thursday, December 3rd, 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Forget Me Not: Becoming a Dementia Friendly Library
10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Program Description: 150,000 Arizonans currently live with some form of dementia and that number is projected to increase by 33.3% in the next five years. Most of these people still live at home and are probably coming into your library. Is your library ready to appropriately serve this growing population and their care partners? Five Arizona communities are now committed to becoming Dementia Friendly – Tempe, Surprise, Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa. Libraries, as respected institutions in their communities, can make significant contributions to this important initiative. This session will first outline how libraries across the country are providing outreach through programming such as Memory Cafes, both in-person and virtual, and creating special collections including circulating kits. Several Arizona libraries will describe their efforts to make their libraries dementia friendly. The session will also provide practical tips for effective communication with these patrons as well as providing lists of resources for additional information.
Mary Beth Riedner
Mary Beth Riedner resigned from her position as University Librarian for Roosevelt University in Chicago, IL in 2008 to care for her husband with a young-onset dementia. For the past six years, she has served on the leadership team of the American Library Association’s Interest Group for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias (IGARD) which has recently been renamed Library Services for Dementia/Alzheimer’s (LSDA). She is the developer of the award-winning Tales & Travel book and reading program designed for those living with dementia. She has presented at numerous professional conferences including the American Library Association and the American Society on Aging. She is involved with the national Dementia Friendly America initiative as well as dementia friendly efforts emerging in Illinois, Arizona, and Minnesota. She is the author of several journal articles and book chapters. Most recently she was a contributing author to the book On the Go with Senior Services by Phyllis Goodman published by ABC-CLIO in 2020.
Brian Gonzales
Brian Gonzales is a Library Specialist at the Tempe Public Library. Brian’s has 20 years of experience serving community members of all ages. He turned his love of technology and teaching to senior programming, helping seniors overcome the digital divide. Brian has been involved with Dementia Friendly programs for the past year.
Jan Dougherty MS, RN, FAAN
Jan Dougherty is a nursing expert and leader in dementia care crafting award winning innovative programs to support people living with dementia and their family caregivers across the care continuum. Obtaining grant funding of over $3.5 million, Jan has pioneered unique dementia programs being used in Arizona, nationally and internationally. These programs include Dementia Care Paths, Best Practices for Dementia Care Management, Hospice Care for Dementia, Palliative Care for Advanced Dementia, Arts and Dementia; and the Native American Toolkit for Alzheimer’s disease. Most recently, Jan is on the forefront of the Dementia Friendly Community movement making Tempe, Arizona, the first Dementia Friendly Community in Arizona. Her new book, “Travel Well with Dementia” offers the first comprehensive guide to assist families and persons living with dementia to plan and execute successful travel. Jan is a noted speaker and author in the field of dementia and has received numerous state and national recognition awards for her work.
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