National Reading Month: The Importance of Reading for Seniors

Ariene Malicdem • March 25, 2023

Reading books provides seniors with an escape from everyday life and enriches their lives in many ways. It also keeps their minds active and engaged as they age, allowing them to discover new worlds, ideas, and concepts.

This National Reading Month, help your senior loved ones find a new book to read.

Here are the benefits of reading for seniors and tips on getting your loved ones to read more.

Memory & Cognitive Functioning

Our brains require regular stimulation to stay sharp and alert as we age. Reading is one of the best ways for seniors to do this, as it requires them to recall and link different pieces of information. It also requires concentration and focus, which improves memory and cognitive functioning.

Regularly reading books can greatly benefit other important factors like emotional response and critical thinking. As a healthy lifestyle change, seniors should make reading a regular habit to keep their minds active. Doing so can be the difference between a sharp mind and one in decline.

Stress Reduction

Stress reduction is essential for seniors with chronic health conditions or mobility issues. Stress can harm our physical and psychological well-being, and it’s linked to several serious health problems.

Reducing stress helps seniors:

  • Lower their blood pressure
  • Increase their energy levels
  • Improve symptoms from existing health conditions
  • Lift their mood

Reading also benefits older adults by distracting them from their worries and anxieties. For example, if your senior loved one has just received a life-changing diagnosis or experienced a significant loss, reading can take their mind to a happier place.

Improved Sleep

One of the greatest benefits of reading is its ability to ease the body and mind, helping seniors drift to sleep. Unlike television and other activities with blue light, reading offers a calming atmosphere that doesn’t promote wakefulness. Improved sleep patterns have several benefits for seniors, like reduced risk of depression and Alzheimer’s and improved overall health.

Tips for Helping Your Senior Loved Ones Read More

If your senior loved one doesn’t regularly read books, there are a couple of ways to help them pick up the habit.

  • Get them to join a book club or read along with them
  • Encourage adding reading time to their bedtime routine
  • Choose books that are appropriate for their interests
  • Provide assistive technologies like large print books and audiobooks
  • Take them to the library or bookstore for inspiration

No matter what you decide, you should always respect your senior loved one’s wishes. If reading isn’t something they’re interested in, don’t push them into it. Instead, focus on finding activities they enjoy and want to participate in.

Final Thoughts

It’s never too late for seniors to start reading, and National Reading Month is the perfect time to introduce reading to your senior loved one. Encouraging healthy habits like reading can help your loved one maintain their cognitive abilities and stay occupied.

At Tradition Home Care, our professional caregivers provide companionship and support to seniors in the comfort of their own homes. If your senior loved one needs help finding books or discovering activities they enjoy, reach out online to learn more about how we can help.

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