A priority of the Ridgefield Library is to be of service to all community members, including those undergoing cognitive change. This collection was created with the intention of helping these members of the community, and their caregivers, through this period adjustment.
Stay Sharp Kits are memory care kites for early stage cognitive change. The kits hold a variety of items, such as books, puzzles, games and other items. While entertaining, these kits can help keep your mind nimble by working with your short-term memory skills.
A collection of materials and list of resources has also been created for caregivers who are looking for support and other avenues of information.
Ridgefield's Memory Café is a monthly program where individuals with memory impairment and their adult caregivers can gather for a social hour, to get together to chat, grab a cup of coffee and socialize with others.
The Baseball Kit is a homerun for baseball fanatics. This kit features:
one book, America's Classic Ballparks
one graphic novel, Comic Book Story of Baseball
Baseball Mascot Matching Game
Baseball Mascot Jigsaw Puzzle
Category Snap Card Game
The first two activities are perfect for achieving a sense of accomplishment, while reinforcing the connection between the brain cells and improving mental speed. The last activity will encourage creative thinking and stimulate the mind and memory.
Penworthy’s Cat Kit is purr-fect for cat lovers. This kit features:
one book, DK Eyewitness Cat
Cat Bingo
Costumed Cats Memory Game
Animal Snap Card Game
Cat’s Whiskers Jigsaw Puzzle
The first two activities work on improving memory and cognition, while building social skills. The third activity encourage creative thinking and has a positive effect on cognition by stimulating the mind and memory. The last activity reinforces the connection between brain cells and improves mental speed and short-term memory.
Penworthy’s Dog Kit is fur-tastic for dog lovers. This kit features:
Dog Dominoes
Dressed Up Dog Memory Game
Pet Selfie Puzzle
Wonderful Animals Aquapaints™
The first two activities work on improving memory and cognition, while building social skills. The third activity improves mental acuity and short-term memory. The last activity allows for relaxation and calmness of the mind through painting.
Revisit some of the world’s finest art. This kit features:
Playable Art Balls
Coastal Escape Aquapaints™
Monet’s Garden Puzzle
Expressions Card Game
The first manipulative allows for relaxation and calmness of the mind through painting. The second manipulative unleashes creativity, aids in sensory stimulation, and can bring calmness. The last two manipulatives will create a sense of achievement, improving mental acuity and short-term memory.
Find peace and contentment with the Garden Kit. This kit features:
two books: DK Eyewitness Plant and What’s that Flower
Garden Wonders Aquapaints™
Garden Gathering Shaped Puzzle
Pick a Flower: Memory Game
The first activity allows for relaxation and calmness of the mind through painting. The second two activities will create a sense of achievement, while reinforcing the connection between brain cells and improving mental speed and short-term memory.
The Great Outdoors Kit is perfect for outdoor lovers. Explore the outdoors through:
one book, DK Eyewitness National Parks
Match a Track Near You Matching Game
Yellowstone-Opolgy Game
Rocky Mountain Wildlife Puzzle
The first two activities will improve fine motor skills, coordination, and short-term memory. The last activity will let your mind relax as you piece together a puzzle with a beautiful mountain scene.
The Handyman Kit is perfect for those who love to work with their hands. This kit features:
one book, Sears House Designs of the Thirties
Handyman Magnetic Board
KEVA Brain Builders
Hobbies Conversation Game
The first activity will elicit memories and stimulate conversation with the retro illustrated pieces. The second activity focuses on fine motor skills, strategy, physics, and basic engineering skills. The last activity will spark conversation, allowing one to reminisce about a particular aspect or experience.
Love history? Then you will love this kit. This kit features:
U.S. Army-Opoly Board Game
American Trivia
Vintage Workspace Puzzle
Wooden Tile Matching Game
The first two activities work on improving memory and cognition, while building social skills. The third activity reinforces the connection between brain cells and improves mental speed and short-term memory.
Relive your days as a hard-working homemaker with the Homemaker Kit. This kit features:
one book, Everyday Fashions of the Fifties
The Baking Cupboard, Magnetic Picture Board
Sew Fast Game
Costal Escape Aquapaints™
The first activity will elicit memories and stimulate conversation with the retro illustrated pieces. The second activity focuses on fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, spatial reasoning, and problem solving. The last activity allows for relaxation and calmness of the mind through painting.
Ready, Set, Action…Penworthy’s Let’s go to the Movies Kit is meant for movie fanatics. Get ready for
James Bond Bingo Game
John Wanye-Opoly Game
Movie Trivia Game
Wizard of Oz Matching Game
All activities will elicit memories, improve memory and cognition while building social skills and improve mental speed.
Movement is so important. This kit features:
one book, Chair Yoga for Seniors
Stretchy Strings
Dimpl™ Pops
Playable Art Balls
Expressions Card Game
The first two activities help busy hands to be productively active through relaxing and calming sensory components. The second two activities create a sense of achievement, while reinforcing the connection between brain cells and improving mental speed and short-term memory.
Dive into the ocean to see what creatures live under water in the Ocean Kit. This kit features:
one book, DK Eyewitness Ocean
Undersea Friends Wood Puzzle
Ocean Bingo
Go Fish Card Game
Ocean Life Aquapaints™
The first activity reinforces the connection between brain cells and improves mental speed and short-term memory. The second two activities work on improving memory and cognition, while building social skills. The last activity allows for relaxation and calmness of the mind through painting.
Revisit the wonders of traveling in this On the Road Again: Travel Kit. This kit features:
Road Trip Packing Puzzle
Road Trip Jigsaw Puzzle
Category Snap Card Game
Hobbies Conversation Game
The first two activities are perfect for achieving a sense of accomplishment and independence, while reinforcing the connection between the brain cells and improving mental speed. The second two activities encourage creative thinking and has a positive effect on cognition by stimulating the mind and memory.
Learn about the small farm towns of America in Penworthy’s Small Town America Kit. Enjoy the classic, farm themed games of:
one book, Only in America
Farmall Case IH Checkers
Farmall Dominoes
Farm-Opoly Game
Red Tractor Puzzle
The first three activities will have a positive effect on cognition by stimulating the mind and memory, while building social skills. The last activity will let your mind relax and take a break as you work through a puzzle.
Let’s visit the world. This kit features:
one book, DK Eyewitness Wonders of the World
Countries of the World Card Game
ScrunchMap™ of the World
Classic Vehicles Aquapaints™
Burano Island Puzzle
The first two manipulatives work to promote discussion and cognitive thinking. The next two manipulatives allow for relaxation and calmness of the mind.
Browse the following themed Stay Sharp Kits are in this collection:
Monday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
(closed summer Sundays)
THE RIDGEFIELD LIBRARY anticipates and meets the evolving needs of our community. We are an essential partner and the place where people discover, question, learn and connect.
