Bloomfield Township

Seniors can take resource kits for a spin at the library

By Robin Ruehlen
C & G Staff Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo courtesy of the Bloomfield Township Public Library The Bloomfield Township Public Library will begin offering Vitality Kits for check-out Oct. 11. The kits, filled with tools, games, resources, DVDs more, help seniors stay healthy. Photo courtesy of the Bloomfield Township Public Library The Bloomfield Township Public Library will begin offering Vitality Kits for check-out Oct. 11. The kits, filled with tools, games, resources, DVDs more, help seniors stay healthy.

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — Senior citizens who need help improving their dexterity, memory and speech will soon have a valuable resource at the Bloomfield Township Public Library.

At 1 p.m. Oct. 11, the library will roll out a unique collection of items known as VITALITY (Visual and Instructive Tools to Advance Living in Transforming Years) Kits that include tools, games, books, DVDS, CDS and other activities focused on improving the quality of life for seniors.  

Assistant Library Director Carol Mueller said the kits were made possible by an $8,000 grant from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.

“We originally applied for the grant as a way to enhance our special needs collection,” she said.

“We started to realize that the population in Bloomfield Township is growing older, and there are some needs we could help meet with these kits.”

Bloomfield Township Senior Center Director Christine Tvaroha said her staff was also consulted in the development of the VITALITY kits.

“They are very collaborative over at the library,” she said.

“Any tools that we can put into the hands of seniors and their families to be successful in whatever their situation is is super valuable.  It’s a real interest on the part of the library staff to reach out to seniors, especially those experiencing specific difficulties and challenges.”

At 1:15 p.m., Dr. Frank McGeorge of Henry Ford Health System will also speak on “Staying Healthy During Your Senior Years” and how VITALITY Kits can help.

“I don’t know many libraries that offer these, so I think we’re pretty unique in this,” Mueller said.

“Sometimes these resources can be rather expensive, so it’s nice that people will have a chance to try a variety of things out before they purchase them, or maybe they only have a temporary need for them.”

The VITALITY Kit Open House will take place 1-3 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Bloomfield Township Public Library, 1099 Lone Pine Road. The program is free and open to the public, and no registration is required. For more information, call (248) 642-5800 or visit www.btpl.org.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Robin Ruehlen at rruehlen@candgnews.com or at (586)279-1105.