When thinking about how to stay healthy, many of us think about exercising and eating right. However, if you are taking care of an elderly loved one, there is more to it than that. Did you know there are many benefits to reading? It helps to exercise your loved one’s brain in many ways. Learn more about the benefits of reading here today, so that you can see more of how it can help your elderly loved one.
Protecting Cognitive Health
One of the best benefits of reading to elderly adults is that it will protect their cognitive health. Those who read each day or who are read to by their loved ones or elder care providers can learn something new every day. They might learn about a country or city. They might learn about animals or caring for someone with a disability. There are so many different types of books and literature out there, the possibilities for learning are endless.
Improving and Maintaining Concentration
Reading will also help your elderly loved one to improve or at least maintain their concentration. Being in a multi-tasking culture, many people have a lack of attention. However, when focusing on a good book, your loved one can get all in. They can put their entire mind on what is happening in the story.
Reducing Stress
Another benefit of reading to elderly adults is reducing their stress levels. Research shows that reading helps to reduce stress significantly. Many great books allow the reader to get out of their head and problems for a bit and just focus on the book. Your elderly loved one can forget about their troubles for a while and just enjoy the book you are reading to them. Many elderly adults that are stressed will smoke, overeat, or drink too much. Reading can be a healthier way to handle and reduce stress levels.
Improved Memory
Many elderly adults suffer from memory loss. If your elderly loved one has not yet experienced memory loss, that is a great thing. One of the ways you can improve their memory or keep them sharp is by reading to them. When you read to your loved one, they will need to remember what is going on in the book. They will need to recall the things that happened earlier in the story to understand the part of the book you are now reading to them.
Connecting with Others
If your loved one really enjoys reading, you could also help them to get into a book club in the local area. Many libraries have book clubs they could check into. This could help them to socialize while reading a great book.
These are some of the many benefits of reading that could help your elderly loved one. If you want to help your elderly loved one out, recommend that they start reading more. You or their elder care providers could read to them, as well.
If you or an aging loved one needs Elder Care in Elk Grove, CA, remember Senior Home Care Services. Call us at (916) 514-7006 for more information.
Sources
https://www.cdc.gov/healthliteracy/developmaterials/audiences/olderadults/index.html
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-health-and-older-adults
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