St. Mary’s County Government’s Department of Aging & Human Services, partnering with St. Mary’s County Library, has introduced Memory Kits as a free resource to aid cognitive health for older adults and those with cognitive decline. The kits became available for borrowing starting in November 2025 at the county’s three Senior Activity Centers and all library locations, including the Mobile Library.
Each Memory Kit features themed collections of books, games, puzzles, and hands-on activities aimed at boosting memory, mental agility, and cognitive function. Users can select kits based on personal interests or specific needs, and every kit includes the Resource Guide for Older Adults, detailing local support services and networks.
The Garvey Senior Activity Center in Leonardtown, Loffler Senior Activity Center in Great Mills, and Northern Senior Activity Center in Charlotte Hall serve as pickup points alongside library branches in Charlotte Hall, Leonardtown, Lexington Park, and the Mobile Library. Borrowing requires a standard library card or registration at a senior center, with no fees attached.
Lori Jennings-Harris, director of the Department of Aging & Human Services, highlighted the initiative’s timing amid demographic shifts. “With adults aged 65 and older representing the fastest-growing population in St. Mary’s County, the need for memory support and cognitive wellness resources continues to expand,” Jennings-Harris said. “The Memory Kits offer meaningful ways for individuals and families to support brain health at every stage of aging. We are deeply grateful to St. Mary’s County Library for their ongoing and outstanding partnership in supporting the needs of older adults and enhancing quality of life throughout our community.”
Research supports the use of such themed activity kits for cognitive stimulation. Studies on cognitive stimulation programs, including group or individual activities with games and puzzles, show modest improvements in overall cognition, memory, orientation, and other domains for people with mild to moderate dementia or age-related decline. These interventions provide general mental engagement in enjoyable formats, often leading to better thinking skills and concentration when used regularly.
In St. Mary’s County, where the senior population continues to grow alongside base-related expansions and retiree inflows, programs like this build on existing services from the Department of Aging & Human Services. The department operates the three senior activity centers as hubs for socialization, fitness, nutrition, and health promotion for adults 50 and older. Centers like Garvey, co-located with the Leonardtown Library, facilitate shared resources, while Loffler offers craft rooms and computer labs, and Northern provides pottery studios and outdoor amenities.
The library partnership extends access countywide. Branches operate extended hours, with Lexington Park open Sundays, and the Mobile Library reaches remote areas or facilities. This collaboration aligns with broader efforts to address aging needs, as the department also coordinates the Aging and Disability Resource Center for information on meals, caregiver support, and in-home services.
Cognitive stimulation through activities like those in the Memory Kits can complement other brain health strategies, such as physical exercise or social interaction, available at local centers. Evidence from systematic reviews indicates benefits in specific areas like praxis and calculation for older adults, whether cognitively healthy or facing mild impairment.
Residents seeking details can contact Nicoletta Pollice, Community Programs & Outreach Manager at the Department of Aging & Human Services, at (301) 475-4200, ext. 1074, or Nicoletta.Pollice@stmaryscountymd.gov. Kits circulate like standard library materials, encouraging repeated use for ongoing engagement.
This launch adds to community tools for healthy aging in Southern Maryland, where senior-focused initiatives support independent living amid a rising 65-plus demographic.
