Library Director, Brooke McLean with Bookmobile and Library HQ staff after completing their Dementia Friendly training. Photo submitted.

Bruce County Public Library (BCPL) has partnered with Alzheimer Society Grey-Bruce to train staff in providing a welcoming and supportive environment for individuals living with dementia and their care partners.

In a June 5 media release from BCPL, more than 730,000 people in Canada are living with dementia. "We can all play a part in making our community inclusive of people living with dementia and their care partners," read the release.

A specialized trainer visited each of the BCPL service areas and engaged with library staff to review things like physical space, signage, lighting, seating, waiting areas, washrooms and background noise, and how these would affect a person's experience.

As a result, the Alzheimer Society Grey-Bruce has designating all 17 branches as well as the Bookmobile as Dementia-Friendly community supporters.

Through the Dementia-Friendly Canada project, Alzheimer’s societies across the country are working to train Canadian businesses, organizations, and agencies on what it means to be dementia friendly and aims to create spaces where people living with dementia will feel confident in their abilities, are treated with respect, and experience support when visiting.

“Receiving the Dementia Friendly Community Supporter designation means that Bruce County Public Library is better equipped to serve individuals living with dementia, their families and their care partners," said BCPL Board Chair Mark Goetz.

By becoming a Dementia-Friendly library system, BCPL is taking steps to ensure that all patrons feel safe, respected, and supported. Age-friendly work like this will become increasingly important to serve residents as the population ages, the release said.