Jul 25, 2025 Coming August 4th: Memory Kits at the Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library
Over the past few months, our library team has been working on a project that’s close to my heart—introducing Memory Kits to the Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library! Courtesy of a grant from the Friends of the Library, these kits are designed for individuals living with dementia and their caregivers to reminisce, stimulate the brain, and spend meaningful time together.
Each kit is centered on a theme—a decade, pets, a season, a career—and includes tactile items, conversation starters, trinkets, puzzles, and sensory tools designed to evoke memories and promote connection. Whether you’re a caregiver trying to reach a loved one or a family friend wanting to share meaningful time together, these kits are meant to forge a bridge on the journey.
For me, this project started with Monko (or, Margaret)—my great aunt and close friend who has severe Alzheimer’s.
I also wanted to learn about memory kits for my mother, Angela. She is the ultimate caregiver to my aunt. Monko took care of my mom as she grew up, and now my mom is taking care of her. Seeing this firsthand opened my eyes to the fatigue a caregiver can experience. The mental exhaustion became clear to me, but my mom handles it with a quiet grace that often goes unnoticed, like so many caregivers in similar roles. There are still so many moments of joy and laughter, though. This is why I was very intrigued to hear dementia resources cited on the strategic planning survey last year as a point of interest from the community. It became clear my mom wasn’t alone in this experience. From there, the research process began.
To help build our upcoming Memory Kit collection, I visited two nursing homes: the one Monko resides in, and the one my mom is a nurse at. These institutions were gracious enough to let me into their supply rooms to see what activities they provide. I asked questions, listened to stories, and observed what kinds of activities sparked engagement. Thank you so much to our healthcare workers! It was also fun to spend time with the residents! It was these individuals who truly brought these kits to the library.
If you or someone you love is living with dementia, I hope you’ll stop by and explore our Memory Kits that will become available August 4th, 2025. They’re available to check out just like any other library item, and there will be three kits at the Zionsville Branch and two at the Whitestown Branch!
Finally, I heartily thank the Friends of the Library for their generosity in supporting this cause. I’m grateful to have been a small part of this project, and I hope the kits prove useful, fun, and engaging to our community.
Anne Stewart, Teen and Adult Services Librarian
