Marin County Librarians Train To Care For Patrons With Dementia
SAN RAFAEL (CBS) -- They're already experts in the Dewey Decimal system. But now, Bay Area librarians are getting an unexpected lesson in how to deal with dementia.
As the elderly population in Marin County rises, more and more people are suffering from dementia and there's a growing need to arm librarians with caregiver skills.
Marin County is aging faster than any county in the state and by 2020, a third of its residents will be at least 60 years old, with the fastest growing segment being those over 85.
They deal with dementia everyday at Senior Access, an adult daycare facility in San Rafael.
But on Friday, the staff will offer instruction to a new group of caregivers, at the local public library.
Jim Ward, the Executive Director of Senior Access said, "Library workers are perfect for this because they know the patrons."
Sarah Houghton, the Library Director at San Rafael Public Library agrees.
"That is absolutely true. We know our regulars and we love them dearly," she said.
The library is often a magnet for older people, with its quiet, welcoming atmosphere. So, workers there will be trained to recognize the signs of dementia and how to help a confused patron.
Ward said, "Calmness is critical because people pick up, from one another, anxiety. And anxiety is a serious aspect of any kind of dementia."
Librarians have had a couple of encounters with dementia patients and they know that number is likely to increase.
Houghton said, "We had some ideas of what to do. But bringing in expert trainers who do this all day, every day, I think will help us be better prepared."
Marin County has created a program called the "Aging Action Initiative" to help public agencies deal with a graying population.
The fire department has already received some training on dealing with Alzheimer's patients.
The goal of the program is to prepare for the coming tsunami of senior citizens as the Baby Boomers enter the final stages of their lives.
