Reading Slows Cognitive Decline in Seniors

Frequent reading helps reduce the risk of cognitive decline in elderly adults.

National Reading Month

In honor of National Reading Month, we’d like to highlight the importance of reading for seniors to help prevent and slow dementia and cognitive decline.

What is Dementia and how Does Reading Help?

Dementia is a chronic, neurodegenerative condition affecting memory and thinking abilities. While anyone can be affected, it is more common in older adults.

Those aged 64 and above who read one or more times a week were 54% less likely to have cognitive decline than those who didn’t after six years. That number increased to 58% after 10 years, per a study published in the National Library of Medicine.

Local Resources

There are many libraries throughout Broward County perfect to grab a book, visit with your Griswold-referred Caregiver, or attend social events. The County of Broward has many public libraries (37!) across the county, including the Main Library in Fort Lauderdale, the Hollywood Branch, and the Carver Ranches Branch.

Libraries often have other programming that encourages social interaction. Those opportunities typically include book clubs, digital literacy clubs, and intergenerational events.

How can Griswold Help?

Social interaction is another great way to improve cognitive function. With our Companionship Care, a Griswold-referred Caregiver may help with activities such as shopping and errand assistance, writing and sending cards, supporting hobbies and interests like reading, and attending social events with the client.

In addition to our Companionship Care, our referred Caregivers may also provide Dementia Care Support. Our Caregivers may have experience supporting memory loss patients. In conjunction with our Essential Care Services, our referred Caregivers will take extra steps to:

• Reintroduce themselves every time they arrive
• Prepare meals that accommodate struggles with utensils
• Stimulate short-term memory through cognitive activities
• Interact with them in their version of reality
• Help them recall a life well-lived

Contact Us

If you have a loved one living with dementia, give us a call today. We would be happy to discuss our dementia care support in more detail.

License #: NR30211028