{"id":10170,"date":"2021-07-30T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-07-30T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lifeline.philips.com\/resources\/blog\/2015\/03\/5-proven-benefits-of-reading-for-seniors.html"},"modified":"2024-05-02T14:51:22","modified_gmt":"2024-05-02T18:51:22","slug":"5-proven-benefits-of-reading-for-seniors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lifeline.com\/blog\/5-proven-benefits-of-reading-for-seniors\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Proven Benefits of Reading for Seniors"},"content":{"rendered":"

Seniors who read often enjoy much more than just a good story. Scientific studies have found many benefits of reading for older adults. These include everything from reducing stress and enhancing sleep to improving memory circuits, sharpening decision-making and possibly even delaying the onset of\u00a0dementia.<\/p>\n

These top five mental benefits of reading demonstrate why\u00a0good senior reading habits<\/a>\u00a0help preserve mental faculties, enabling people to live independently longer.<\/p>\n

1. Enhancing Memory<\/h2>\n

A study of 294 seniors published in\u00a0Neurology<\/a> found that those who engaged in mentally stimulating activities such as reading across their lifespan had slower rates of memory decline compared to those who did not. Engaging in frequent cognitive activity\u00a0later in life reduced the rate of decline by 32 percent.<\/p>\n

Reading exercises your memory. This is critical to the short-term recall of everyday events. Regular mental workouts through reading can strengthen the brain\u2019s neural network. This helps your mind become more receptive to learning and memory retention.<\/p>\n

2. Sharpening Decision-Making Skills<\/h2>\n

Reading can improve the analytical and reasoning power seniors need to solve problems. This is an ability known as fluid intelligence that declines throughout adulthood. A\u00a0major study of Americans aged 25-74<\/a>\u00a0found that, regardless of age, those who routinely did more to\u00a0challenge their brains\u00a0through such activities as reading did better on fluid intelligence tests than their counterparts.<\/p>\n

3. Delaying Onset of Alzheimer\u2019s and Dementia<\/h2>\n

Additional research<\/a>\u00a0determined that adults in their 70s who engaged in mentally intense hobbies, such as reading, from ages 20-60 are less likely to develop Alzheimer\u2019s disease. In an article published by\u00a0USA TODAY<\/a>, Dr. Zaven Khachaturian, senior science adviser to the Alzheimer\u2019s Association, says that brain-challenging activities build a reserve of neuronal connections. This makes it take longer for the Alzheimer\u2019s process to destroy enough neurons for\u00a0Alzheimer\u2019s symptoms\u00a0to emerge.<\/p>\n

Another study of participants from the\u00a0Rush University Aging and Memory Project<\/a>\u00a0found that more frequent mental activities, including reading, help preserve brain structures important to cognition in late life.<\/p>\n

4. Reducing Stress and Anxiety<\/h2>\n

When it comes to unwinding, getting lost in a good book beats listening to music, having a cup of coffee, or going for a walk. That\u2019s according to\u00a0research conducted at Mindlab International<\/a>\u00a0at the University of Sussex. It only took six minutes for the heart rate and muscle tension of participants to relax once they dove into a book. That means the mental benefits of reading can literally help improve your quality of life.<\/p>\n

Reading can also help to relieve anxiety.\u00a0Research from the University of Toronto<\/a>\u00a0found that people who read frequently are less likely to act impulsively. They were also more likely to think before reacting to things. This means frequent readers are better equipped to process information, be prepared for life\u2019s uncertainties, and reduce their anxiety.<\/p>\n

5. Sleeping Better<\/h2>\n

Reading in bed has long been considered a surefire way to fall asleep. The\u00a0Mayo Clinic<\/a>\u00a0confirms this. They state that creating a bedtime ritual, such as reading, signals the body that it\u2019s time for sleep.<\/p>\n

This\u00a0healthy sleeping habit<\/a>\u00a0induces shut-eye better than falling asleep in front of a television screen or other electronic device. In fact, these devices have been proven to keep people awake longer or even disrupt their rest. So, swap your TV show for a good book and enjoy drifting off easier.<\/p>\n

Large Print Books for Seniors and Other Reading Aids<\/h2>\n

While there are numerous mental benefits to reading, seniors may face certain obstacles when it comes to indulging in the pastime. According to the\u00a0American Foundation for the Blind<\/a>, approximately 15.2% of Americans aged 75 years or older have experienced some kind of vision loss.<\/p>\n

Thankfully, there are plenty of options that make reading for seniors still accessible despite these challenges. Many publishers now offer large print books for seniors and those with vision problems. These are typically printed in 16 to 18-point size font (compared to the regular print, which is between 10-12 points). You can check your local library for large print options or shop online for them.<\/p>\n

Alternatively, if you don\u2019t want to restock your entire bookcase, there are other reading aids for seniors available. These include e-readers: a lightweight electronic alternative to printed books. These allow you to adjust the size of the font on the screen to suit your needs. They can also be used to access a variety of books, magazines, and other publications.<\/p>\n

However, while these do use e-inks, which try to mimic the appearance of the printed word, many still emit blue light. This can make falling asleep more difficult, just as the TV screen and other electronic devices do. Therefore, you may prefer to purchase a special book magnifying glass and continue to enjoy the books you already own. These are available to purchase online.<\/p>\n

As people age, they might tend to read less and turn on the TV instead. Given the proven health benefits of reading, however, you may want to consider trading in the remote for a good book instead.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Seniors who read often enjoy much more than just a good story. Scientific studies have found many benefits of reading for older adults. These include everything from reducing stress and enhancing sleep to improving memory circuits, sharpening decision-making and possibly even delaying the onset of\u00a0dementia. These top five mental benefits of reading demonstrate why\u00a0good senior Read more >><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":35196,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[46],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10170","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n5 Proven Benefits of Reading for Seniors | Lifeline<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Scientific studies have found many benefits of reading for older adults, from reducing stress to enhancing sleep. 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