Caregivers in Cherry Hill NJ: Seniors and Get Caught Reading Month
Millions of Americans read as a hobby and many argue that there’s nothing better than getting lost in a good book. May is the nationwide campaign of Get Caught Reading, which promotes the fun of reading for people of all ages. Elderly adults can especially benefit from boosting their daily reading habit and integrating more books into their life.
Here are plenty of reasons why seniors should take advantage of Get Caught Reading and surround themselves with great reading material:
Mental Stimulation
Reading books provides a lot of material for the brain to process. From remembering characters and scenes to learning new things, the activity of reading forms new neural pathways in the brain. This is especially beneficial for elderly adults because such activities have been shown to slow or even prevent Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Reduce Stress
Elderly adults can have a lot going on that causes them stress. From dealing with chronic illnesses to experiencing life changes ranging from mild to severe, stress is a part of life for many seniors. Reading provides an escape by providing distractions and reducing tension. Many elderly people find themselves more relaxed after spending time reading.
Increases Knowledge
People are never too old to learn new things, and reading is the perfect way to increase vocabulary, gain insight and information and open the mind to other possibilities. With an increased awareness about science, current events, entertainment, politics and more, seniors can better understand the forces that shape their world.
Social Opportunities
Reading is usually a solitary hobby, but there are plenty of ways that books can pave the way to more social activities. Seniors can take trips to the library and enjoy the activities there. Book clubs are very popular for adults of all ages. Reading to other adults or to grandchildren can pave the way to better bonding.
Overcome Poor Vision
Many elderly adults struggle with poor vision as they age. However, this shouldn’t stop them from diving into books. Even seniors that have vision problems can benefit from being read to by a home care provider, adult child or grandchild. Audio books can also help seniors that can’t see well. Electronic readers may be easier for some elderly adults to read as the font size can be adjusted.
Reading is a benefit for people of all ages, but for seniors, it can be a huge boost in their daily life. Family caregivers and home care providers should do everything they can to encourage seniors to read and providing opportunities to acquire reading material. It may be hard for seniors to do so on their own, so during May’s Get Caught Reading Month, caregivers should make an extra effort to assist.
Source:
http://www.getcaughtreading.org/
For caregivers in Cherry Hill, NJ, and the surrounding areas, call and talk to us at Home to Stay Healthcare Solutions (856) 321-1500.
