Reading Well for Dementia: A User-Led Approach to Increasing Accessibility of Health Information Resources for People Affected by Dementia

Abstract: The evidence base on bibliotherapy shows that public libraries can build public understanding and confidence in health management through quality-assured, authentic, and helpful reading. To meet this need, The Reading Agency has delivered its Reading Well: Books on Prescription program in the UK since 2013, enabling people to understand and manage their health and well-being using health sector–endorsed books and resources available for free from public libraries. The Reading Well for dementia scheme provides an expert-curated booklist and selection of digital resources to support people living with dementia, family, carers, and members of the public to understand more about dementia. Reading Well for dementia is part of the wider Reading Well: Books on Prescription scheme and is delivered through public libraries in England and Wales. Taking the Reading Well for dementia scheme as a case study and using ten years' worth of qualitative and quantitative data, this article offers insights into what makes books supporting the health and well-being of people living with dementia, their families, and their carers more accessible and inclusive.