Donate used books directly to a nearby memory-care, nursing, or assisted-living facility. Call the activities staff first and ask whether it keeps a resident lending library and what it needs now.
Memory care means residential care for people living with dementia. A short call saves you a wasted trip. It also helps staff match your books to readers.
Medical information disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a physician or other qualified health professional about symptoms, medications, tests, or treatment decisions.
Table of Contents
- Ask the activities team first
- Choose books residents can actually use
- Bring only clean, intact books
- Give extras to a thrift charity
Ask the activities team first
Start with the facility closest to you. Acceptance varies by facility and need, so ask what the lending shelf lacks. OSF HealthCare reports that donated books and games are made available for patients and visitors, including a children's area, in OSF HealthCare's hospice library description.
- Call or email the activities or life-enrichment staff.
- Describe the number, type, and condition of your books.
- Ask about drop-off hours and where to bring them.
- Offer puzzles, games, and magazines in the same call.
Choose books residents can actually use
Pick simple, comforting formats with clear print and familiar topics. Harvard Health Publishing recommends large-print fiction or nonfiction, audio selections, and large-print puzzle books for assisted-living and memory-care residents in Harvard Health Publishing's gift guide.
Valley Health's senior wish list also seeks large-print short novels, magazines, word searches, magnifiers, and picture books about familiar places. North Memorial Health requests adult coloring books, word finds, crosswords, and Sudoku puzzles for comfort-and-care carts. Sort your box with those uses in mind.
Bring only clean, intact books
Donate only books that are clean, intact, and free of odor and mold. Call ahead because space is limited. North Memorial Health donation guidance explains that care settings must protect patients and may reject worn, damaged, or bulk donations in North Memorial Health's donation guidance.
Leave outdated encyclopedia sets at home. Wipe covers, remove loose papers, and check bindings. If a book smells musty or falls apart, recycle it instead.
Give extras to a thrift charity
If the memory-care unit cannot take your books, offer them to a local thrift charity. Goodwill of North Georgia states that it accepts books for resale in Goodwill of North Georgia's donation FAQs.
The Salvation Army also accepts used-goods drop-offs at thrift stores. Its SATruck program schedules home pickups by ZIP code through 1-800-SA-TRUCK. Keep one small box for the next care-facility visit.
