Book reading is very important for elderly people. But if we talk about seniors, in particular, it is immensely beneficial for them in accordance with stress management, better sleep, improving memory, enhancing decision-making skills, and many more.
Reading for elderly people
These benefits and more can be attributed to the relationship between dementia and reading.
Alzheimer’s and dementia
Dementia is a group of symptoms that includes memory loss and language problems. While it is known that reading increases brain activity, research has shown that reading may also play a vital role in keeping dementia and Alzheimer’s at bay.
As stated by the National Institute on Aging, reading helps the brain form new neural connections. It also helps individuals with dementia. These new connections may prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s from affecting cognitive and motor abilities. Studies show that dementia may also be linked to decreased reading.
The benefits of reading for the elderly people
There are a lot of benefits of book reading for elderly people
Learning is lifelong, for someone to learn new skills and acquire new knowledge the brain must be stimulated every day with new information or skills. This continual stimulation can be done through reading. Reading stimulates the mind and helps develop new neural connections. It’s similar to learning a new language. You have to read and memorize or remember new words. The words or phrases need to be internalized so that the connections in your brain can form. And then you need to hear or read them. When this happens, the new words will become part of your verbal vocabulary. The old words will still be in your vocabulary, but they’re part of your background and not as important. If you don’t practice, or if you forget your background, then you can’t use them. It’s Not Too Late to Start Reading Books!
Major benefits of book reading
There are a number of benefits of reading books for elderly people. Here are some of those:
- Helping prevent Alzheimers and dementia
- Helping stave off heart disease
- Freshening the brain
- Reducing stress and anxiety
- Keeping you sharp mentally
- Helping you sleep better
- Helping to slow down dementia
- Improving mental agility
- Helping you remember names
- Helping you stay young and vital.
- Maintain the Endocrine System
- Improved Blood Circulation
- Improving Your Blood Pressure
- Manage Diabetes Naturally.
- Improving your Brain Cells
This is a massive list of benefits for elderly people.
Reducing stress and anxiety
Surprisingly, large print books, with several lines of print on each page, are a very effective way to enhance memory. And they help seniors to make better decisions and find peace of mind. Why? Reading slows the progress of Alzheimer’s and dementia. In fact, older adults who read well do better on tests of reasoning, memory, and problem-solving. In another study, older adults who read had a lower risk of dementia. Finally, people with severe dementia may have no books in their homes, so libraries have become vital in their communities.
Reducing stress and anxiety
Reading can decrease heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels. These are stress hormones that are known to damage your brain.
Apart from these book reading habit leads to many other benefits i.e sleeping better, chronic pain, arthritis, flu, fatigue, glaucoma, healing Aches, pains, sleep apnea and stroke.
Print books for seniors and other reading aids
These help seniors and other readers ages 60 and over with difficulties with reading
Large print books and audible books can be a great help for seniors and those who struggle with reading.
Here are the benefits of using large print books to enhance the reading experience for your senior or someone else who is struggling with reading. Large print books have thousands of words, characters, symbols, or abbreviations. These have been altered or marked by publishers for older readers to help them improve their reading skills. They make reading easier for the elderly and those with dyslexia.
Large print books are popular with younger readers. As you age, you may have trouble reading small print and also with trying to decipher handwriting. In addition, there are multiple benefits of book reading not only for elders but youngsters as well. Keep reading, keep smiling.
