Longford Libraries ‘Handy Helps’ Collection now available to borrow

Helping people live independently in their own homes

The Longford “Handy Helps” Collection includes a range of gadgets and other aids to help people live a more independent life in their own home.

An initiative of Longford Libraries and Age Friendly Longford, in consultation with the HSE Longford Primary Care Programme, the collection was launched at the recent Longford Age Friendly Information Day in October. The collection has been chosen by the staff of Longford Libraries Age Friendly Team in partnership with senior occupational therapists working in the community.

The aids are grouped into three different bag packs. The bag of culinary aids includes items such as a jar opener, tap turner, lightweight cutlery set while the mobility bag includes a sock or stocking aid, shoehorn and button hook or zip puller. The third bag includes some general and social items such as an object locator or key finder, an adhesive pull-plug and a playing card holder.

The bags are a “try before your buy” taster opportunity for users. Bags also include contact details of local and national suppliers, so if people choose, they can then buy items directly themselves after the loan period expires and the items are returned to the library.

There are four libraries taking part in this pilot initiative across the county, Ballymahon, Edgeworthstown, Granard and Longford. Anyone who is an adult member of Longford Library Service may access the collection and for anyone interested in joining, library membership is available free of charge.

Staff in any library will help users with registration and then members can borrow a bag from the Handy Helps collection using their library card for up to 12 weeks. Certain items may also be requested online, by using the library card and PIN number on the website Longford.Spydus.ie.