The Joy of Reading: How Seniors Can Rediscover the Magic of Books

Reading is a timeless pleasure that can whisk you away to exciting places, nurture your quest for knowledge and create connections with others who share your love for the written word. In fact, these are just some of the reading benefits for older adults. Whether you’ve been an avid reader for years or you’re picking up the hobby in retirement, there are many reasons to encourage reading more books for seniors.

In honor of National Book Month in October, we invite you to read along and learn more about the benefits of reading, how to overcome barriers some seniors experience and how you can use books to engage with others.

Reading Benefits for Older Adults

Even when you’re reading for pleasure, you’re doing your mind and body good. Like any other activity that puts your brain to work, reading helps you practice important cognitive skills and keep them sharp. Reading stimulates your brain and supports cognitive health by promoting memory, problem-solving, critical thinking and vocabulary — just to name a few! In fact, studies have shown that reading can help improve cognitive function and delay the onset of cognitive decline in older adults.

You might be surprised to learn that reading also supports your emotional well-being and can help with stress reduction. Whether you favor fiction or nonfiction literature, reading about others’ experiences elicits an emotional connection to characters. Within the pages of a book, you can process those emotions — even the uncomfortable ones — and experience empathy as the character navigates through difficult times.

Another advantage of books for seniors is the way they encourage socialization for seniors, creating natural opportunities to engage with friends, the community and your family. Reading to the children in your family can be particularly rewarding because it’s a simple way to spend quality time with little ones and give them an early start learning a skill that will reward them for a lifetime.

Overcome Age-Related Barriers

Despite the many clear benefits of reading, the natural aging process can make it more difficult to see the print in traditional books. Fortunately, with some practical strategies and assistive technologies, you can overcome common vision challenges and continue enjoying books for as long as you like.

Sometimes making adjustments to your environment may be all the help you need. For example, better lighting can help make words clearer on the page. In other cases, you might need to reconsider the format of your reading material.

Many older adults prefer the familiar feel of a newspaper, magazine or book in their hand. One solution if you’re having trouble seeing the words in traditional formats is buying large-print versions. However, tech-enabled reading devices allow you to customize your reading experience. For example, e-readers let you adjust the font, letter size and contrast to suit your vision best, and many of today’s e-readers allow you to read newspapers and magazines in addition to books.

Other devices that provide assistive reading for seniors include magnifying glasses, lights designed specifically for reading, text-to-speech devices and screen readers.

Another option is switching to senior-friendly audiobooks that allow you to listen to the story. Some people actually prefer audiobooks because they leave your hands free for other activities like crafting or other hobbies. To ensure you can hear your book clearly, remember to eliminate background noise that can be disruptive.

When you’re not an avid reader, the challenge may be less physical and more about finding the motivation to read on a regular basis. Like any new habit, the key is finding a way to make the task enjoyable.

The first step is choosing books that align with your interests and setting realistic goals. For example, you might start out by committing to read for 15 minutes each day and gradually increase to 30 minutes or an hour. Find a time that fits with your daily routine. Some people enjoy reading with their morning coffee, while others use reading to unwind before falling asleep at night.

Shared Reading Experiences

You may think of reading as an individual activity, but sharing your reading experiences with others is a great way to make friends and engage with your community. Here are some ideas for sharing your love of reading with others:

• Local book clubs and discussion groups bring together groups of people who read the same book, then gather to share their thoughts on the book’s plot, characters, underlying messages and more. Local libraries, bookstores (like Rubber Rose Books & Print in Kankakee), community centers, senior centers or senior living communities are all good places to find book clubs for seniors.
• It’s easy to start your own senior book club. Just gather a few friends or acquaintances and encourage them to spread the word. Pick your first book and set a date to gather at a favorite restaurant or someone’s home. Appoint a host to create discussion questions and settle in to enjoy talking about your latest read.
• If mobility makes it hard for you to get out and about, consider an online book club or literary community. Goodreads’ variety of online groups let you join based on your personal interests or read an eclectic mix of award winners. Celebrities like Oprah and Reese Witherspoon (among others) also host book clubs with online and social media-driven discussion groups. Another option is AARP’s The Girlfriend Book Club, which is open to non-members and caters to women 40 and older.
• Read-aloud programs are another way you can share your love of literature with the community. Some programs are geared toward children and promoting youth literacy, while other programs cater to seniors who enjoy camaraderie while listening to a storyteller.

Reading Resources

You’re sure to find many resources to help you choose the best books for seniors. The nearby Kankakee Public Library and Bourbonnais Public Library offer specialized services for seniors, and librarians on staff can provide recommendations on everything from timeless classics to the latest bestsellers.

Other sources for books include local churches or places of worship, which often have their own libraries available to the congregation, or your senior living community, where you’re likely to find a lending library for residents. Online courses for seniors can also be a good source of reading material.

Online sources like LibraryJournal.com provide reviews to help you narrow your choices, and Goodreads is more than a book club; the website (and app) will help you find books, keep track of what you’ve read and interact with other book lovers.

Start a New Chapter

Now you know more about the reading benefits for older adults, from fighting loneliness to keeping your mental game sharp. You’ve also learned how to overcome some common challenges and where you can find books you’ll enjoy. It’s never been a better time to crack open a great novel and join a community of fellow readers — some who may even become your neighbors and friends!