Benefit to the elderly

 

I love this scene taken from "The Notebook".  James Garner, 'Duke",  reads to his beloved wife who is suffering from dementia. This scene spurs the topic of today's blog.

If you have been reading this blog for awhile, you can easily see the benefits and importance of reading to all kids, regardless of their age. But what if your children have left the home and moved into adulthood? What if you don't have children of your own yet? You can still help others benefit from your generous gift of reading out loud. The elderly need you! There are many benefits the elderly can gain from hearing books read to them.

First of all, as aging increases, health declines. The elderly are not able to do all those wonderful activities they once loved. Their freedom of movement has been replaced with walking with the aid of canes or wheelchair. The joints are sore and the muscles are weak. This is just a stage of life. New activities are sought out to keep the brain stimulated such as crossword puzzles, Suduko and stimulating conversation. It is vitally important to keep the brain function moving forward even though the legs may not be able to function as they once did. 

According to research done and results given in "A Literature-Based Intervention for Older People Living with Dementia", they state "The conclusions of a six-month quantitative and qualitative study found that engagement in reading-group activity produced significant reduction in dementia symptom severity."

Isn't that fabulous news? Perhaps local senior centers could offer adult read-aloud sessions? Perhaps you could spare an hour to read at the library to all those who desire to listen? Take the time to share a portion of a book this upcoming Thanksgiving. Many wonderful conversations can be started and you may inspire the listener to share thoughts, experiences and memories. What a blessing that would be!

"Isn’t it funny? We come in with nothing and go out with all these thoughts.”  Reading group member, living with dementia, Devon stated. Many others have also commented on the wonderful feelings and sense of well-being from books.

Results from the previously mention study state the participants were noted as having other benefits as well.

• Improved mood
• Improved levels of concentration
• Improved recollection
• Greater levels of social interaction

When being read to, there is no other option than to simply focus on the task at hand. Listening helps to sharpen focus, boots comprehension, and internalize the words that are spoken, regardless the age of the listener. Therefore, it is a form of exercise for the mind.

Perhaps your loved is dealing with advanced stages of dementia and not able to concentrate as they once did. Picture books are a wonderful conversation starter. Some have minimal words and the focus becomes the picture and the direction their mind takes them. Other books have simple story lines. The options are various and many.

Since we have been given the gift of reading, we should use it to benefit others. Make the decision to bless others. Deciding to help and act on it doesn't take long.

Just five minutes,
Dawn