Reading2Connect: Adults with Dementia Need Books More Than Ever!

Libraries are amazing resources for adults with memory challenges and their caregivers. They provide a welcoming space with activities and programs that encourage all people to be lifelong learners. They are also a perfect location for the Reading2Connect Program.

This dementia-friendly reading program enables older adults to read and engage with books they enjoy. By doing so, readers can connect with their past selves as well as keep their minds active in the present and future.

“As our memories become blurred, books remind us of who we were and who we are,” says Susan Ostrowski, Co-Creator/President of Reading2Connect. “Do not assume that the person sitting slumped in a chair, half asleep, can no longer read. The field of senior care and society in general are severely under-estimating and often ignoring the retained, latent capacity to read of many older adults. The ability to read is stubborn. It is an automatic skill that is deeply rooted in our long-term memory.”

Researcher Anne Donnellan coined the concept of “presuming competence,” arguing that presuming that a person can think, learn, and understand is the “least dangerous assumption.” This idea is most commonly referenced in the field of education for people with disabilities and also applies to older adults with dementia.

It’s important to remember that older adults have interests and passions, even if they have memory challenges. Reading is a wonderful way to engage their curiosity, help them learn new things, and activate memories that may not be forgotten after all.

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Over the last decade, Ostrowski has seen countless older adults, in a variety of settings, enjoy the program. Even with patrons who do not initially seem engaged, she has found that it’s possible to figure out people’s interests and match them with the right book. For example, someone may not be interested in talking to others but lights up when a dog comes nearby. That can be a clue to try a dog book. One strategy is to show photos on a laptop to see what stirs the most conversation.

“Like anyone, when older adults read, they want and expect an experience,” says Ostrowski. “An experience that moves them, stirs their emotions, and gives them something to learn or ponder.”

Reading2Connect provides simple text modifications to make the program accessible to people with a wide range of abilities. For example, the program adds illustrations, increases contrast between paper color and text, and uses varied font sizes. They also use sans serif typefaces, which are easier to read for people with low vision.

They create versions of materials that include shorter sentences and simplified sentence structure to make the text highly readable. Research shows that vocabulary doesn’t need to be simplified for older adults to understand and enjoy the books.

Reading2Connect provides guidelines for creating the ideal reading environment that’s physically comfortable and without distractions. This allows readers to focus more easily on the books.

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Older adults sometimes struggle with loneliness. Programs like Reading2Connect nurture social connections and deeper engagement with the outside world. The Beryl Institute studied long-term care residents who participated in the Reading2Connect Social Engagement Program. Their research report demonstrates that the program improved and enriched participants’ social and emotional well-being.

“Studies like the Beryl Report affirm that elders do not need to, and should not be allowed to, enter a literary abyss as they age,” says Ostrowski. “Libraries can lead the way in ensuring that elders (and our future selves) continue to experience the power and magic of reading for their entire lives.”

Accessible books allow us to be lifelong learners and to engage with the world as we age. “For older adults, reading becomes more than just a pleasant pastime,” says Ostrowski. “Reading becomes a lifeline.”

You can ask your local library, nursing home, assisted living, memory café, or senior center if they offer Reading2Connect. If they don’t yet, you can suggest they consider signing up.

Reading2Connect is currently in twenty-four states. The program is also thriving in New Zealand, Germany, and Wales. You can find more information on the Reading2Connect website, as well as Facebook and LinkedIn.

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When libraries buy the Reading2Connect program, they receive: (1) lifetime access to the online employee training, (2) age/dementia-friendly books (i.e., printed books on washable, tear-resistant paper and digital books), and (3) supporting materials to promote independence and accessibility (such as book stands and Reading Screens).

If they want to explore the program without committing to purchase, they may request temporary access to the Reading2Connect online training to help them picture more fully how Reading2Connect would work in their community.

“For most people living with dementia the concept of a library is clear and deeply engraved in their well of life experiences. They remember the purpose, the look, the scent, and the feel of a library,” says Ostrowski. The sensory experience of a library can be grounding and calming for many people.

Libraries are often looking to become more inclusive, accessible, and involved in their community. In addition to expanding older adult, in-library programming, Reading2Connect can also support book-focused intergenerational programming, services for patrons who are homebound, engagement with long-term care residents, and resources for low-vision patrons.

“Books keep us learning,” says Ostrowski. “No matter how old or disabled we are, we all delight in learning.”