Bruce County Public Library receives dementia-friendly designation

Did you know that more than 730,000 people in Canada are living with dementia, a general word for a set of symptoms caused by disorders affecting the brain? We can all play a part in making our community inclusive of people living with dementia and their care partners.

The Bruce County Public Library is contributing by partnering with the Alzheimer Society Grey-Bruce to train staff in providing a welcoming and supportive environment for individuals living with dementia as well as their care partners.

In addition, a specialized trainer conducted visits to each of the library service areas to engage directly with library staff and review the branch’s physical space, paying close attention to 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 recognized the library’s commitment by designating all 17 branches, as well as the Bookmobile, as dementia-friendly community supporters. Decals at all locations note this designation.

The Dementia-Friendly Canada project is a partnership with Alzheimer Societies across the country to train Canadian businesses, organizations, and agencies on what it means to be dementia-friendly and how to achieve it. This initiative 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 this designation means that our branches are better equipped to serve individuals living with dementia, their families and their care partners,” said library board chairman Mark Goetz. “It reflects our dedication to creating a safe and welcoming environment where everyone can have barrier-free access to the resources they need.”

By becoming a dementia-friendly library system, the public library 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.



Bruce County Public Library director Brooke McLean (right) with Bookmobile and library headquarters staff after completing their dementia-friendly training