An introduction to Reading Well Books on Prescription for Dementia

Reading Well Books on Prescription for dementia is a book list of qualityassured reading to support people with dementia, and their carers and relatives, through living with dementia. The scheme is part of the wider UK national Reading Well Books on Prescription programme which was developed by the Reading Agency in partnership with the Society of Chief Librarians (SCL) and is delivered through public library services across England. The concept of the programme is simple yet effective: providing book-based support to people living with a range of conditions which is then available for them to borrow free from their local library. Users can either receive a recommendation of a title from a health or social care professional or they can self-refer to the scheme simply by visiting the library and taking one of the books off an open shelf. There are also Reading Well Books on Prescription lists to support adults with common mental health conditions, young people's mental health and wellbeing, and people with long-term physical health conditions and their carers.

The Books on Prescription model was first developed in Wales in 2005 by Professor Neil Frude and was adopted with his support across England in 2013. In 2015, The Reading Agency and SCL then developed the first Books on Prescription list for people with dementia and their carers, with the support of a wide range of partners from the health and social care sectors. Every book on the list has gone through a thorough book selection process with a panel of health experts and people living with dementia. The books provide information and advice; support for living well; advice for relatives and carers; and personal stories. Each of these categories was included for its individual value to users and its unique contribution to the book list as a whole.

Identifying the need

Before starting a new Books on Prescription style intervention, it is essential to identify the need for a scheme and assess whether any potential scheme will address a need in wider society. Taking advice from colleagues in public health can assist with this. At the time of development in 2015, we identified a clear need for people with dementia.