No matter where you live, just about every town has a library. From small towns to big cities, even in today’s technology-driven world, you can usually still find a library within driving distance of your home. And even if your town doesn’t have a public library, oftentimes schools will allow guests to visit their library during non-school hours.
February is National Library Lovers Month and that makes it a great time to plan a visit to a local library. Or if you live in a smaller suburban town, you might make a day trip of heading to the local metropolis to visit an older, inner-city library. Many of those large, big city libraries are like museums and your aging loved one may love that kind of day trip.
If you think you might want to plan a library visit with your aging loved one, or ask your senior care team to provide a trip to the library, here are some tips to help make the visit great.
Get a library card.
If your loved one no longer has a library card, he’ll need one to check out any materials on his visit. You can have his senior care help him register for his card online before he goes and print out a temporary card. Or he can get it when he visits the library. He’ll need a photo ID to identify himself for the card. Library cards are free and available to anyone who can meet the qualifications.
Talk about what he wants to look for.
Libraries can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you decide to visit a historic library in another city. Some of them have multiple floors, lots of rooms, and of course, thousands of books and other media. Walking in without any goal may make a person stop in their tracks and turn around.
Talk to your loved one about what he’d like to pick up from the library and remind him that for many libraries, it’s not all about books. He can find movies, music, games, and so much more. If you are doing a long drive to the library, find out beforehand if he can return anything he borrows to his local library. Many instate libraries are on the same system so you can return something you borrow from one library to another.
Check out accessibility
If your loved one is unable to use the stairs, call beforehand to make sure there is a way he can access the building safely. His senior care provider can help him navigate the library, but only if it’s accessible to mobility devices.
Plan your visit
Whether it’s just an hour-long outing or an all-day thing, pick a day in February to enjoy all of the amenities of one of your local libraries. And don’t forget to take a #libraryshelfie (a selfie photo in the library) to celebrate your love for libraries.
The staff at Home Care Matters is available to talk with you and your family about all of your needs. Home Care Matters is a home care agency providing quality and affordable elder care in Duluth, GA, and the surrounding areas.
Call (770) 965-4004 for more information.
We provide elder care in Braselton, Buford, Dacula, Duluth, Flowery Branch, Gainesville, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Oakwood, Sugar Hill, Suwanee, Barrow County, Forsyth County, Gwinnett County, Hall County, Jackson County, North Fulton County.
Valerie has the unique experience with home care as she has experienced it from both ends of the spectrum, as a caregiver and as needing care herself as a cancer survivor. Valerie says, “Taking care of someone you love is a physically, mentally and demanding labor of love.Taking care of my mom was the hardest thing I have ever done. It has given me an insight and perspective not many people understand unless you are doing it or have done it.I loved taking care of my mom.I love helping others take care of their love ones too.And now that I’ve been sick, it’s given me a whole new level of empathy and understanding for those who are sick and need help.”
Valerie’s schedule varies daily, but she loves visiting with our clients, families, caregivers, our network partners and being in the office.Says Valerie, “Every day is different, but I wake up excited about what we do, inspired by our team, clients and caregivers.I strive to be a resource to the community.I love my team and I love what we do every day. I like to think my mom would be proud.”
You can reach Valerie by email (Valerie@homecarematters.com) or in our office (770.965.4004).
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