The Importance of Reading for Seniors

One of the best ways to sustain cognitive ability in seniors is by constantly reading. Reading as as pastime will take them into a journey and would encourage imagination. Reading takes a senior person to a different place and experience emotions that would otherwise be near impossible considering their physical limitations. It's an outlet and something to look forward to the next day. 

Reading has proven to bring great benefits to older adults, including providing mental stimulation to the brain, slowing memory decline, reducing stress and enhancing sleep, and possibly delaying the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

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The above article (Reading on Paper and Screen among Senior Adults: Cognitive Map and Technophobia) suggests: 

1. If the presentation of material is somewhat similar, there's not much difference if a senior person reads from a physical book or a digital device.

2. Whilst there are some seniors who might be hesitant to use digital devices due to fear of technology, with adequate support, they would be able to adjust.

3. There is still preference over physical books however digital devices pose many benefits like adjustable screen brightness, adjustable font sizes, convenience of storing more books in 1 device and connectivity.

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It's such an exciting opportunity for senior community groups to organise reading sessions in different scenarios:

1.  Seniors reading groups with same age group

2.  Seniors reading to toddlers 

3.  Middle school students reading sessions with seniors 

These ideas present a great opportunity for learning interaction and encouraging a positively warm feeling amongst seniors and the younger generation.