Both my parents had dementia and both found reading novels difficult. However, magazines with short stories e.g. My Weekly, People's Friend. They produce twice yearly books as well.
What about a Craft Corner - knitting and crochet are something which people fine difficult when they have dementia and they might like to produce something small. I'm thinking maybe those Innocent Smoothie hats ... Depends on the level of dementia they are living with, of course, but then all activities do.
I'd also stress not to forget men ... my dad used to be able to enjoy Reader's Digest - similar point: short articles.
Newspapers - including ones like Metro and that new one (forgot name, sorry) because it doesn't have masses of pages and cuts stories down to the bare necessities.
Plenty of magazines - easy to pick up and put down and plenty of opportunity for chat, particularly the gossip type ones.
Once you know who is coming, maybe hobby magazines - again, for men (no, no those ... I'm thinking fishing, Countryfile etc.
Also something for carers - a chance to browse among the novels, access the internet etc'
Plus, of course, cuppas all round and awareness of the need to adapt/change activities depending on the users and how they feel on the day.
Also music, quietly, in the background. Some people with dementia find silence, or conversely background chatter, difficult to deal with. Music could be a distraction and something to occupy the mind if they don't want, or can't get involved in the other things.
This is a fantastic idea. Sending you huge Well Dones and luck with it all. Wish you were near me (Somerset?). Even though my parents are now no longer with us, I'd love to get involved.
Not staging a takeover bid, honestly, but my parents were ill for many years and I now volunteer with the Alzheimer's Society, but I'm still learning - dementia is so unpredictable and no one person is the same as any other. xx