Skip to main content

The Cognitive Benefits of Reading in Your Senior Years

Do you remember watching PSA commercials for the national Reading is Fundamental literacy program – either as a child or as a parent? The spots date back to the late 1960s, with many featuring entertainment and sports celebrities like Ed Asner, Shaq and LeVar Burton. (You may have read that Burton’s fan base, inspired by the actor’s “reading nerd” ways, created a successful petition that landed Burton the role of celebrity guest host of Jeopardy this month.) For decades, Reading is Fundamental has encouraged children to begin reading early and to make it a lifelong habit because good readers likely become better learners.

As many adults experience through their 30s-50s, reading for pleasure and lifelong learning can wind up on the back burner as career and family demands take priority. It’s not until older adults hit semi- or full retirement that they have a new opportunity to dive back into reading. A 2015 study by Pew Research Center found that 69 percent of seniors said they had read at least one book in the past 12 months.

The takeaway for older adults is that becoming a bookworm while aging in place is one of the best things you can do to boost cognitive health. Research by the American Academy of Neurology points to a lower rate of cognitive decline in dementia patients who were avid readers. A study by the University of Toronto found that reading can promote an increased tolerance for uncertainty—a useful personal skill to have during this time of pandemic. Studies show that the habit of reading by adults age 50 and older leads to improved memory, better decision-making abilities and more uninterrupted sleep cycles.

Reading also is a great hobby for maintaining senior mental health and reducing stress, as it is a relaxing pursuit but it also can be turned into a social activity. To become a social bookworm, consider joining an online reading club (your local library may offer one) or creating one of your own with friends. You and your fellow book lovers can discuss plot points and character development via FaceTime, GoogleDuo or Zoom.

Now what to read? So much time, so many book lists! Click on the following lists to get a few ideas on interesting and inspiring reads this summer and fall:

And here are a few suggestions from our friendly and helpful senior care advisors at Amada Senior Care:

 

No Time Like the Future by Michael J. Fox – The actor bravely discusses the realities of facing increasing health issues related to Parkinson’s disease as he grows older. He realized he entered a new stage of the disease when he broke his arm severely from an accidental fall at home. The progressive condition has him contemplating getting more Parkinson’s help at home. Fox also is suffering cognitive decline related to Parkinson’s, which may force him to retire from acting forever.

 

 

 

 

You’re Only Old Once!: A Book for Obsolete Children by Dr. Seuss – This book reminds us that reading not only is fundamental but fun, and that getting older can be as fun as you make it out to be. Whether you are newly retired, an old soul or a kid at heart, this picture book is just what the doctor ordered for laughing at what it is to be a human on the senior journey.

 

 

 

 

 

Is There Any Ice Cream?: Surviving the Challenges of Caregiving for a Loved One with Alzheimer’s, Anxiety and COPD by Judith Allen Shone – The author had to jump into the role of caregiving for a family member with Alzheimer’s and learned she is in good company. An estimated 5.7 million Americans are living with some form of memory loss, and many family caregivers – often a spouse – took on the task of Alzheimer’s home care with little warning or training. Shone chronicles her caregiving journey with humor and delivers greats insight into the many daunting challenges  and emotional chaos she experienced while caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, COPD, cancer, vascular dementia, and anxiety.

 

 

 

 

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman – The fact that many popular TV crime series have starred mature sleuths – think Columbo, Jessica Fletcher, Lennie Briscoe, et al. – says you’re never too old to play detective. Set in a retirement village, four septuagenarians who are unlikely friends – start meeting weekly to discuss unsolved crimes. Then a local developer is found dead and a mysterious photograph was left next to the body. The members of the newly minted Thursday Murder Club have their first live case and as bodies start piling up, they must pull all the tricks from their sleeves to catch a killer.

 

 

 

 

The Mother of Black Hollywood: A Memoir by Jenifer Lewis – Known most recently for her matriarch role on the hit sitcom black-ish, Lewis shares her trials and tribulations as a Midwestern girl from poverty who followed her dream to becoming a mega-star. Her multiple talents earned her starring roles on Broadway and led her to Hollywood and parts on hit sitcoms like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Friends. Her iconic role as Mama in the cult movie favorite Jackie’s Back cemented her status as “Mother of Black Hollywood” to then-freshman actors Taraji P. Henson, Whitney Houston, and Tupac Shukar.  Her no-hold-barred memoir includes her battle to achieve wellness for bipolar disorder and sex addiction. As she bares her soul and shares her insights, she impresses on all these hard-earned words of advice: “Love yourself so that love will not be a stranger when it comes.”

 

 

 

Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century by Jessica Bruder – This wry and funny book was the inspiration for the movie starring Frances McDormand, who won the best actress award at the Academy Awards this year – while the film took Best Picture and Chloé Zhao won Best Director honors. It reveals the dark underbelly of the U.S. economy and the precarious future awaiting many older Americans who are retirement-age and should be enjoying their Golden Years. Yet the film also celebrates their resilience and creativity, and the fact that they have not given up hope even as they navigate a nomad’s existence.

 

 

 

 

 

“The Cognitive Benefits of Reading as You Grow Older” was written by Michelle Flores, Amada blog contributor.

 

The post The Cognitive Benefits of Reading in Your Senior Years appeared first on Amada Senior Care.



from Amada Senior Care https://ift.tt/3zQli8y
via IFTTT
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dads and Pops: Your Good Health Matters to Us 

Did you know  June is  Men’s Health Month  and Father’s Day anchors Men’s Health Week ?   Celebrate dad on Father’s Day and thank him for all he  has  done, but  also  make sure to seize an opportunity sometime this month to have a conversation with him about his health. This awareness campaign has the critical purpose of informing men   that avoiding preventive healthcare puts them at real and serious risk of  contracting a disease or  acquiring  a chronic condition.   Studies consistently  show the numbers go against men , particularly as they advance into their senior years.   Even with dramatic advances in diagnosis and treatment over the past 100 years, men’s life expectancy still lags significantly behind women. According to  Harvard Health ,  the gap is widening. In 1900, the life expectancy for women was 48.3 years vs. 46.3 for men. In 2017, it was 81.1 years for women vs. 76.1 for men. Harvard...
Post a Comment
Read more

Memorize These Six Signs of a Scam

An 88-year-old woman is one of the latest victims of the sweepstakes scam. She lost $160,000 in order to get the millions the scammer claimed she’d won through the Publishers Clearing House. She’s not alone. This scam has been around for years and has affected tens of thousands. Be aware of the six signs of a scam to avoid losing money. The Caller Insists You Not Tell Anyone In a scam, the caller will insist that you cannot tell anyone. This is more likely to happen with the grandparent scam. The caller will say that the grandchild’s parents cannot know. Secrecy is important to the “grandchild.” If your parents are told not to tell anyone, it’s very likely a scam. Your parents should immediately report the scam to local authorities or the FTC at 1-877-382-4357. The Contact Arrives Out of the Blue A scam is going to start with a random call, email, or unsolicited mailer. Your parents didn’t enter a contest. It could be a scammer posing as a police officer, IRS representative, or ...
Post a Comment
Read more

How to prepare for eldercare medical emergencies

Older adults are fragile and that is often accompanied by a decline in mobility. This makes them more vulnerable to medical emergencies such as a fall or sudden illness. As these health crises are unexpected and the elderly cannot always take prompt action, you need to be prepared. This will result in saving a lot of crucial moments and getting on-time care for the older adult. We have curated pointers that will give you an insight on how to carefully prepare for the eldercare emergencies and ensure the wellbeing of your elderly.   Doctor on Call  As you begin preparing for the eldercare emergencies, you must assemble a list of doctors and home nursing services that will be available 24×7 to provide emergency facilities. The list will come handy and will result in taking quick action. Samvedna Senior Care offers doctor visits at home for senior citizens in times of emergency. The team of skilled doctors is available round the clock to provide special assistance. The...
Post a Comment
Read more