World Alzheimer’s Month, observed every September for the past 14 years, shines a spotlight on advocacy, awareness, and support for those affected by Alzheimer’s disease—with World Alzheimer’s Day recognized globally on September 21 as a focal point for these efforts. During this time, we draw attention to advocating for those diagnosed with this disease while also raising funds and awareness through programs and events. According to Alzheimer’s Disease International, “someone in the world develops dementia every 3 seconds;” it’s estimated that over 55 million people worldwide currently live with dementia. That number could rise to 139 million in the next 25 years. Dementia Friendly America estimates that of those 55 million, “more than 6 million [are] Americans living with Alzheimer’s Disease.”
Many people accept that dementia is an inevitable part of getting older, but the fact remains that dementia is not a guarantee, but rather can be caused by several diseases, such as vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, Pick’s disease, and the most common, Alzheimer’s disease.
Dementia Friends Ohio focuses on five key points that they believe everyone needs to know about dementia:
- Dementia is not a natural part of aging.
- Dementia is caused by diseases of the brain.
- It is not just about losing your memory.
- It’s possible to live well with dementia.
- There is more to the person than the dementia.
Some of your Stark Library staff have participated in a training course through the Ohio Council for Cognitive Health and Dementia Friends Ohio and will be hosting their own Memory Care Cafés. These cafes offer caregivers, care partners, and those affected by the disease a safe, relaxing space to connect with one another and interact with others affected by dementia.
There will be activities during and for follow up at home, as well as materials to check out. Memory Care Kits have been created to use during the cafes that focus on specific themes that promote brain health. Some examples of kits include (but are not limited to):
- Constellation Creation
- Embroidery
- Locks and Keys
- Matching Flowers and Plants
- Matching Tools
- Sensory Sand
- Shore and Water Birds
- Sounds of…
- Spice Smelling
- Tanagrams
These Memory Care Kits give individuals living with dementia the chance to reconnect with meaningful activities that interest them, give them a sense of purpose, and increase their self-esteem and independence. The power of using multiple senses, such as sight, touch, and smell, sparks the mind to bring back memories while socializing and connecting with others. While the Memory Care Kits are available for in-library use only, Stark Library also offers seven Golden Gear Kits, one of which is dementia-focused and can be requested for use at home. These kits provide valuable engagement opportunities, but the Memory Care Cafés offer something unique: socialization and camaraderie, which are often missing from the lives of those affected by dementia.
We invite you to register for one of our upcoming Memory Care Cafés:
- September 26 from 10:30am-11:30am at Plain Community Branch
- October 25 from 2:00pm-3:00pm at Perry Sippo Branch
Join us as we continue to build a more dementia-friendly community—one that values connection, compassion, and dignity. Whether you're a caregiver, a family member, or simply someone who wants to learn more, join us at a Memory Care Café and experience the power of shared understanding. Together, we can make a difference—one memory, one moment, one person at a time.
