Reading Aloud to the Elderly

WHO can Read Aloud to the Elderly — the series finale

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Update: In the years since I wrote this, I’ve realized that “elderly” can be seen as an ageist term. I now know that “older adult” is a better term. Still, the fact remains that people find these posts almost daily, years later, because they’re searching for “reading aloud to the elderly.” So I’m leaving the title intact, but highlighting the fact that these days, our terminology differs. We’ve come to the end of the series of posts on reading aloud to seniors. We’ve talked about WHY WHAT to read HOW WHERE and WHEN All that’s left to ask and answer is WHO can do this? WHO will do this? The answer is easy — ANYONE who can read and who has a voice, from the smallest new reader to a fellow isolated senior, can read aloud to a senior who is lonely, isolated, can no longer read for his or herself, who yearns for the sound of another voice and for a story to brighten the long day. YOU can do this. I can do this. WE can do this. We have the tools, we have the understanding, we can make the opportunity. I wish you all the best as you seek to touch someone’s life by reading to them.

WHEN to Read Aloud to the Elderly — Part Five in the Series

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Update: In the years since I wrote this, I’ve realized that “elderly” can be seen as an ageist term. I now know that “older adult” is a better term. Still, the fact remains that people find these posts almost daily, years later, because they’re searching for “reading aloud to the elderly.” So I’m leaving the title intact, but highlighting the fact that these days, our terminology differs. As we go through the Why, What, How and so on of reading aloud to older people, we come to WHEN. When should we do this? How do we know what’s a good time? There is no better time than NOW. Especially when it comes to frail older people or those whose minds are compromised, delay can lead to regrets. Read when you visit. Read when you phone. When my mother was first in a nursing home, having ended up there very abruptly after a fall, she was often very anxious. I couldn’t be with her all the time. ( As well as regular life and work, I was also dealing with my father, who had ended up in hospital after a fall a few days before Mum’s fall.) One way we stayed in daily contact was by the phone, and when she was most anxious, the thing I found spoke to her best was the simple act of reading some of her favorite poems to her, over the phone. So don’t let not being able to be there in person stop you from reading aloud! Many seniors deal with some level of feeling lonely and isolated. As their physical abilities decrease, they find themselves unable to do the things they used to do, they often have to give up driving, they spend more and more time alone in their homes — or eventually in a nursing home where the hours can seem very long indeed. Books can be a wonderful escape — but can become too heavy to hold, or vision problems, tremors, or cognitive abilities may provide obstacles to being able to read for themselves. Seniors may not be willing to ask for help in reading (or in other things, as well.) So an aspect of WHEN is being alert to the need. When can happen at any time. Leading questions like “do you still read as much as you used to?” followed with an offer to read — either letters that have accumulated, or newspapers, or favorite books — can be easier than waiting for the person to ask for help. WHEN? Any time. Tonight, tomorrow: take something with you that you’re eager to share the next time you visit your older friend or family member, or the next time you read something that makes you think “Oh, Mum would love that,” get on the phone and say, “I just read this and had to share it with you.” Just be sure to do it — and remember WHEN is also not just one time only. This is a “when” that can happen over and over again, and can bring pleasure and a sense of connection for both of you. I wish you well.

WHERE to Read Aloud to the Elderly — Part Four in the Series

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Update: In the years since I wrote this, I’ve realized that “elderly” can be seen as an ageist term. I now know that “older adult” is a better term. Still, the fact remains that people find these posts almost daily, years later, because they’re searching for “reading aloud to the elderly.” So I’m leaving the title intact, but highlighting the fact that these days, our terminology differs. In this series, I’ve talked about the WHY of reading aloud to older people, as well as WHAT and HOW. Today, I want to consider WHERE to read aloud to the elders in your life. The short answer is ANYWHERE. Don’t wait for a perfect time or place, just read. You can read in someone’s home, ensconced in comfortable chairs with a cup of tea close at hand, or you can read at their bedside in a care home or hospital. You can read over the phone, or via Skype or Zoom. (Hint: grandparents or great-grandparents love to have kids read to them via Skype.) Don’t wait for a formal occasion – if you read something that an older friend or family member would find interesting, give them a call and read it to them. If you know of someone who perhaps has sight issues, or other issues that might make reading difficult (such as hand or head tremors), give the person a call or pop in to see them. Ask if there is anything they’d like you to read for them. One friend of mine often wanted me to read letters to her. Random acts of reading count, too! If you see someone in an elevator struggling to see what’s on a notice taped to the wall, offer to read it for them. If someone is holding a can of prepared stew close to his/her eyes, offer to help. (If they say no, don’t push the issue, but they may be glad of assistance.) There are many lonely, isolated people in nursing homes. Check with the staff to see if there’s anyone who might benefit from having a read-aloud buddy. Another possibility in nursing homes is to ask if you could read to a small group. In such a case, you’d need to make sure there is a sound system so you could be heard. Read short reminiscence stories, and encourage people to share their stories. Wherever you are – look for opportunities, and READ! Next month, we’ll talk about a closely related question – WHEN to read aloud to the elderly. See you then!

HOW to Read Aloud to the Elderly — Part Three in the Series

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Update: In the years since I wrote this, I’ve realized that “elderly” can be seen as an ageist term. I now know that “older adult” is a better term. Still, the fact remains that people find these posts almost daily, years later, because they’re searching for “reading aloud to the elderly.” So I’m leaving the title intact, but highlighting the fact that these days, our terminology differs. You may wonder why I think it necessary to address the question of “how” to read aloud to older people, particularly frail older people. Open the book, open your mouth, and read, right? Well, yes, those are the basics, but there are things you can do to enhance the experience and make it more comfortable for both of you. Choose your material carefully, with the needs, interests, and cognitive level of the person uppermost in your mind. (Of course, if you’re asked to read a letter they’ve received, or the daily newspaper, just go with it.) Talk with the person ahead of time. What would they like you to read? As we age, we lose more and more autonomy and freedom of choice, so if they can participate in the selection of reading material that will mean a great deal. Practice ahead of time. Be sure you can be heard. Most elderly people have some level of hearing impairment. At the same time, be aware of roommates. They may or may not want to listen in. With the hearing and roommate issues in mind, sit close to the person you’re reading to. Remember that in closeness there is also a feeling of intimacy and security. Physical closeness can be as important to a lonely person as the sound of your voice reading. These elements are important for children who want to read to an elderly person as well. When talking with the person about selection of reading material, see if they remember their favorite books from their childhood. If the book(s) is/are available (and at the child’s reading level), it can be a great experience for both elder and child to share a book like this. Practice with the child ahead of time, rehearsing vocal clarity and expression as well as volume. Sometimes it isn’t that they need to shout to be heard, but they need to enunciate their words clearly. Keep in mind that sometimes high-pitched sounds become harder to hear as people age, so it’s doubly important that children make sure they say their words clearly. Be open to the older person helping the child with their reading. Some elderly people would love to be read to — but would also be delighted to encourage the child with the difficult words, and talk with them about what they liked to read when they were young. Be alert for signs that attention is waning, or the elderly person is tiring. They may even drift off to sleep — this is perfectly okay. Neither the elder nor you need to feel embarrassed about this. It happens. Reading sessions will likely be short. That’s okay, too. Above all, relax and allow this to be a special time for both of you. Enjoy! To see my suggestions about what to read, see October’s post. To see my thoughts about why to read to the elderly, see September’s post.

WHAT to Read Aloud to the Elderly — Part Two in the Series

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Update: In the years since I wrote this, I’ve realized that “elderly” can be seen as an ageist term. I now know that “older adult” is a better term. Still, the fact remains that people find these posts almost daily, years later, because they’re searching for “reading aloud to the elderly.” So I’m leaving the title intact, but highlighting the fact that these days, our terminology differs. If you’ve read last month’s post in this series and/or my previous post on reading aloud to the elderly, you’ll know that I’m a strong advocate for reading aloud to older people, whether they are in their own home or in a nursing home. Some of the reasons for this are: it can reduce feelings of isolation it can provide a connection point between the older person and the visitor it can help keep the older person’s mind active Once we decide that we want to try out reading aloud to the older person/people in our lives, what do we read? The basic answer to that is “it depends.” I know that’s not all that helpful, but here are some of the factors that need to be taken into consideration: What are the person’s interests? Are they still able to read for themselves, but find some things too difficult, either because of the weight of the book or the size of the print? What is their cognitive level? People with dementia often can’t follow a story the way they used to. It’s important to note that even without dementia, the aging brain can’t always comprehend things as quickly as before. Carolyn Banks, who wrote the article in the Lancet that I quoted last month, stresses that it’s best to choose reading material that isn’t too long. Older people, particularly frail older people, often have a shortened attention span, or may find it difficult to concentrate on listening for long periods of time. She, along with a colleague, Janis Rizzo, commissioned and curated a collection of short stories specifically for the purpose. Look for A Loving Voice: A Caregiver’s Book of Read-Aloud Stories for the Elderly and its companion volume, A Loving Voice II. I would also suggest magazine or newspaper articles that relate to the person’s interests, stories about life in the years when the person was growing up, local history books that will bring old friends to mind, letters that they’ve not been able to read themselves… there are many possibilities. I’d also emphasize the importance of asking the person what they would like to hear! Having autonomy in some decision-making, including what they read or have read to them, is important at a time in life when much autonomy is taken away. One of my readers last month asked specifically for suggestions for reading material that children could share with older people. I would say it depends on the age of the child and his/her reading level, but all the suggestions I have made thus far would certainly be appropriate (as long as the magazines or books were checked beforehand to make sure that they are child-friendly topics.) Reading stories that bring to mind the older person’s childhood could be great conversation-openers between the generations, and might bring out stories of the person’s past that haven’t been told (or that bear repeating). My aunt, Myra Stilborn, wrote a couple of books that have stories and/or poems that would be great in this context. For this purpose, I particularly recommend her Whippletrees or Don’t Take Any Wooden Nickels. Myra’s books are available on iTunes, so the child would need to have a laptop, tablet, or other device from which to read, but that might be a great conversation-starter in itself! I’m sure there are many other such books, perhaps by authors local to your area. One of my other readers said that her mother had greatly enjoyed hearing Old Yeller read to her by one of her grandchildren. I assume this reading took place over a series of visits. That suggested to me the possibility of asking the person what books they particularly liked when they were the child’s age, and if the books are still available, they could be the ones the child reads. This could also be a great way to connect the generations in conversation. One thing I’d suggest keeping in mind, and explaining to kids who want to read to older people, is that the person might not remember from visit to visit just what was read last time. It would be a good idea for the child to practice a preamble such as “Last time, Anne Shirley and Diana Barry were getting ready to go to school after the summer holidays.” That will help the child keep track of the story as well as giving the elderly person something to latch onto. Also, a reminder to children and adults alike – older people’s hearing is often not very good anymore, so clear enunciation, a slower pace than usual, and speaking up (without yelling) are crucial. I hope that these ideas will help get you started. Come back next month for a post on HOW to read aloud to the elderly. Do you have further suggestions of potential sources of reading material?

The WHY of Reading Aloud to the Elderly

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Update: In the years since I wrote this, I’ve realized that “elderly” can be seen as an ageist term. I now know that “older adult” is a better term. Still, the fact remains that people find these posts almost daily, years later, because they’re searching for “reading aloud to the elderly.” So I’m leaving the title intact, but highlighting the fact that these days, our terminology differs. Imagine yourself in your late 80s or early 90s. Perhaps you’re in a nursing home, or you still live in your own house or apartment, but you’re not able to get out easily, and people don’t come by to visit as often as they used to. You know people are busy. That’s the way of the world these days. You pick up your favorite book, but it seems heavier than it used to be, and the words are smaller, too. They dance in front of your eyes. You squeeze your eyes shut and then try again, but the words are just too hard to make out. You set the book aside, and look out the window. There’s not much else to do. Then someone, a kind neighbor, or your grandson, or a good friend comes in. They smile and say, “I saw this story in a magazine and knew that you’d enjoy it.” Instead of just handing it to you, they read it to you. You don’t have to worry about dancing words, and you have the added bonus of their enjoyment of the article as well. Or you’re in the nursing home, and you waken at night, fearful for some reason. You’re not sure where you are, and nothing looks familiar. You try to get out of bed, but there is a barrier on the side. Someone comes in — you vaguely remember that he’s a nurse — and sits by your bed, turns on a little light, and starts reading poetry to you. They’re poems you learned as a child at school, and the memory makes you smile. You drift off to sleep as he reads. Reading aloud can bring so many benefits to elderly people. It can inform entertain alleviate anxiety alleviate boredom alleviate a sense of being isolated provide a connection with others provide a topic of conversation enhance visits in which neither person knows how to proceed enhance self-worth, when the elderly person realizes someone cares enough to read to them Some elderly people have the desire to read as they have always done, but the ability to do so has eroded over the years. Their vision may not be as acute (and print in books is generally tiny, as is that in magazines). They may not have the physical strength to hold a large-print book for long. (Try it some time. They’re heavy!) Their cognitive abilities may have dwindled, making understanding the printed word more difficult. They may be dealing with dementia, which complicates many aspects of the reading process. Reading aloud can answer so many challenges that elderly people face. The Reader Organization in the UK has found that using their shared reading model with people with dementia “shows improved mood improved concentration improved recollection greater levels of social interaction” An article in The Lancet, by Carolyn Banks, a strong advocate for reading aloud to the elderly, states that “to most of the people, the act of reading itself had a soothing effect.” She also found that “Being read to … seems to be as welcome as a touch, whether or not the listeners had been readers or the words have literal meaning any longer.” In my own experience,  I have known the power of reading aloud — even over the phone — to help my mother’s anxiety when she was first in a nursing home. I know that the written word could soothe her, and that she loved to be read to, as well as to read on her own as long as she was able. I have seen my father’s dwindling ability to read for himself, due partly to hand tremors shaking the magazine so that his eyes could not focus, and partly to diminishing cognitive ability due to dementia. And I learned, after he died, that often at night one of the nurses would read to him to ease the restlessness and anxiety that were a part of his Sundowner’s Syndrome. I believe very strongly that reading aloud enhances the lives of the elderly, and I hope that this post has helped show you why this is so important. Throughout this blogging year, on the last Monday of the month, I will be exploring various aspects of the topic of reading aloud to the elderly. I first blogged about this topic several years ago in a post which you may read here. In fact, it is the ongoing popularity of that post that inspired me to write this series. I look forward to delving more deeply into this as the months go on. Please join me on this journey through the why, what, where, when, who and how of reading to the elderly. On October 26th, I’ll make suggestions about how to read to the elderly. EDITED TO SAY: Because of a question that was asked in the comments, I’m going to change the post schedule around a bit, and deal with WHAT to read to the elderly in the next two posts. HOW will be covered in January. Do you have experiences of reading to or with elderly people? I hope you’ll share your thoughts and experiences in the comments.

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