Dementia help - Books on Prescription scheme launched

Dementia help - Books on Prescription scheme launched

Twenty five new books providing help for dementia suffers, their carers and families are now available to borrow in local libraries.

The Books on Prescription for dementia scheme was officially launched in Rochdale Central Library as the books were delivered to all 17 libraries and health professionals began to prescribe them to patients.

Part of a national scheme, the launch event, attended by over one hundred residents, featured dementia and carer organisations, including Age UK, Rochdale and District Mind, Alzheimer’s Society and Pennine Care.

Alzheimer’s Society estimates the total number of people with Dementia in the borough to be 2,309, with highest prevalence in 80-89 year olds.

A well-attended Dementia Friends session was held together with a workshop discussion with friends and families of those affected by dementia sharing their experiences. The Carer’s Choir provided musical accompaniment and entertainment during the afternoon.

The Reading Well Books on Prescription scheme comprises 25 titles that provide dementia support and advice. The scheme already helps people with common mental health conditions feel better through self-help reading, but it’s the first time they’ve offered support for dementia care in the UK.

Councillor Cecile Biant, Cabinet Member for Public Health at Rochdale Borough Council said: “We were really pleased with the launch, it was a busy day and we were able to put lots of people in touch with local help and support networks. We also had health professionals attending who were very interested to find out more about the books and the feedback so far has been very positive. I’m pleased to say the books are now in our libraries and from this week they will be being prescribed to patients too. Dementia is a national health challenge with huge impact on those in our borough living with the condition, as well as their carers and families. Making these self-help books available offers a vital lifeline.”

The list includes a range of books offering information and advice about dementia and normal ageing, support with living well after diagnosis, practical advice for carers, personal accounts, and suggestions for shared therapeutic activities.