A book as a medicine implementation of bibliotherapy in nursing home for the adult and elderly people in Zabucje

Abstract

Public libraries have always represented a gathering place for users of all generations,so over time they tried to organize cultural programs adapted to different age groups.So, in 2021, the Uzice Public Library realized a project on the topic of bibliotherapy for elderly people housed in Nursing home in Zabucje. Bibliotherapy's main goal is that trough usage of the written or spoken word, it induces healing, personal growth, or some positive change in human being. It is often used in social work group or group therapy. It has been proven successful with people of all ages, people from and out of institutions, and with healthy people who want to share literature as a tool for personal growthand development.It is often used in nursing homes as a therapy carried out by occupational therapists. Group workshops are usually held with people who show an interest in reading. In this paper, in addition to the very concept of bibliotherapy, it is shown the application in Nursing home in Zabucje. Cooperation between the Library, Medical school in Uzice, Serbian Orthodox Church and a psychologist from the Health Center was established. The goal was to improve quality of life and mood of elderly people during the isolation caused by coronavirus pandemic. Given that the project could not be implemented in the premises of the nursing home, we came up with an idea that the implementation is carried out via video call, i.e. via the Zoom application.