Benefits of Reading for Seniors

Benefits of Reading for Seniors

Reading is one of the top engaging hobbies across all age groups. Especially it is beneficial for seniors as it helps get rid of boredom and is a good way to exercise their brains. Our blog post talks about the benefits of reading for seniors.

It is important to remember that reading is beneficial for children and seniors. In addition to providing entertainment, reading also helps keep your brain fit and healthy. Many scientific proofs are available to prove that reading is good for older adults.

Enhanced Functioning of the Brain

Mental exercise is extremely important for the health and well-being of older adults. Just as the body needs physical exercise to keep fit, the brain needs mental exercise to stay active and alive. Reading helps stimulate the brain and provides long-lasting positive effects in improving reasoning skills, memory retention, and processing speed.

Better Sleep

One of the first things to get affected is sleep as we age. It may be due to medications, chronic pain, or anxiety. Without a doubt, reading is a great bedtime routine for all ages, especially for the elderly, because it helps us relax and fall asleep.

Delays Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease

Delay dementia and Alzheimer’s disease by keeping your brain active with regular reading! Studies show that challenging the mind can reduce some of those nasty symptoms. It also helps keep new nerve cells growing, good for short-term memory retention.

Reading Helps with Reducing Anxiety and Stress.

Reading a good book reduces unwanted Stress and anxiety. The book transports you into another world, distracting you from worries and pain for the short term. Reading helps to loosen muscle tension, lower our heart rate, hence is considered the best form of relaxation.

E-Reader for Seniors with Low Vision.

While the feeling of holding a book in your hand is satisfying, there’s no denying that e-readers are convenient. It is user-friendly because it’s lightweight, waterproof, and has long battery life. Especially the seniors can get their favorite books instantly, and the ability to read multiple books at a time is priceless.

Kindle Paperwhite is easier to read in the dark, has large font sizes, and hence is good for e-books and audiobook listeners. Without a doubt, if your elder ones suffer from low vision, e-readers help.

Socializing with Book Clubs

Interaction with another human being is extremely important to overall health and wellness. Without a doubt Being part of a book club is a great way to ensure socializing. Find the right book as per your reading interest and have some fun discussing it with your book club. The benefits of social interaction of a book club make it a great hobby for seniors.

Here is a List of Great Reads for Seniors

1 A Man Called Ove is a novel by Swedish writer Fredrik Backman.

2   The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules is a book written by Catharina Ingelman-Sundberg.

3  Our Souls at Night is a book by Kent Haruf

4   Water for Elephants is a historical novel by Sara Gruen

5  The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is a novel by Rachel Joyce

6  The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared is a book by Jonas Jonasson

7  The Handmaid’s Tale is a dystopian novel by Canadian author Margaret Atwood

8  The Tide is a book by Clare Helen Welsh

9  Etta and Otto and Russell and James Book by Emma Hooper

10  A Loving Voice: A Caregiver’s Book of Read-Aloud Stories for the Elderly by Carolyn Banks, Janis Rizzo

A loving voice: A caregiver’s Book of Read-Aloud Stories for the Elderly has two volumes and is a wonderful book of short stories designed specifically to be read aloud to older adults. It has received critical acclaim from professional caregivers and grateful family members alike for its inventive method of communicating with and bringing joy to the bed-bound and the home-bound.

Home Care powered by AUAF provides elderly care services like reading aloud to your elderly loved one. Our core mission is to ensure our clients’ healthy lifestyles and well-being. Call us today at 773-274-9262 and ask how Home Care Powered by AUAF can help your elderly loved one’s companionship needs.