MANSFIELD — The older people get, the more their minds age, too.
Since 2008, the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library has embarked on a program to help stimulate and entertain those living in a combination of 31 nursing homes, assisted living and senior living apartments each month. The program sets up in lobbies or community rooms in the lobby waiting for residents to come grab the materials.
Library outreach coordinator, Deborah Dubois said the program gets thousands of material requests including books, audio books, magazines, movies and music.
“Whatever materials we have in the library, we can bring out for people,” the program manager said.
The residents get a month to listen to, read or view the delivered material. Dubois said the normal checkout time for customers is three weeks.
“A lot of the people in those facilities don’t have transportation; They’re not able to drive anymore. Especially in the winter time, they may not be able to get out as easily. (With this program,) they are not bored,” Dubois said. “They have access to all the things anybody at the library has, and if you think about it, if they were regular library users, the library was a major part of their life they don’t have anymore. We bring it to them.
“Reading things new, hearing new music and seeing new ideas does help your brain. It does keep synapses in the brain and make new pathways for people, so they have ways to keep their brain younger.”
Brenda Workman, activities director at Lexington Court Care Center in Lexington, said the outreach program has improved the lives of her residents.
“Anytime they get to think outside the normal everyday is good,” Workman said. “Anytime they aren’t just staring at the TV is great. We have seven residents that have to get their (library materials) and of course we have short-term residents who enjoy it too. They really like being able to pick and choose the books they read.”
Cecelia Wickenburger, healthy lifestyles director at Elmcroft, assisted center said the regular lobby stops by the public library allows for an endless supply of books to add to their limited library.
“Of course if you’re a reader, you can never get enough,” she said. “The (Richland County Public) Library talks with residents and asks them about their favorite authors, styles and topics they like to read. I love the fact they cater to our residents.”
One Lexington Court resident has read every book imaginable, Workman said.
“The library likes to find books he hasn’t read,” she said. “He likes to read new things he’s seen on TV and heard in the news.”
Dubois said that was common among residents.
“People have preconceived notions of what older people read, but they want to read the best sellers and stuff in the news,” Dubois said.
In particular she referenced a copy of “Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House,” a supposed tell-all about the Trump administration by Michael Wolffon. It’s on the top shelf of a cart waiting to be delivered.
“They want to read everything other customers want to read,” Dubois said.
The ability to continue reading and learning helps keep spirits up in her senior living center, Wickenburger said.
“To me, these people have lived full lives. They’ve served in wars, they’ve raised families,” she said. “Now their bodies are slowing down.
“It’s a privilege for us top be able to give something that gets them out of bed and excited in the morning.”
This Solutions Journalism story is brought to you in part by the generous support of our Newsroom Partners: Spherion, Visiting Nurses Association, PR Machine Works, Nanogate/Jay Systems, DRM Productions, OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital, Richland Bank, Mechanics Bank, Area Agency on Aging, and many others. To learn more about Solutions Journalism at Richland Source follow this link.
