Various studies have shown that reading to a person with dementia helps their imagination, thinking and memory. Even if we read to a group of people and not just an individual, we have a positive impact on the listening group.
This article will highlight the benefits of reading to person’s with dementia and identify what books would be most suitable.
To assist our viewers with what and where to buy books, we have identified and reviewed the best books that can be bought for people with dementia.
Reading During Different Stages of Dementia
Reading to people with dementia relieves the stress, tension, and anxiety they may experience due to the disease during different stages. What matters is your calm presence, the time you spend on activity, and daily reading routine.
Position a person with dementia in a comfortable reading place and read to them. They can have their eyes closed while you are reading.
If a person falls asleep during an activity, do not wake them. You can take the fact that the person is sleeping as a compliment, as it means that person feels safe and relaxed next to you.
A Mayo Clinic study confirmed that reading also affects insomnia (connection between dementia and sleep).
If you introduce reading as a routine into the life of a person with dementia and read to them daily before going to bed, the person will know that it is time to go to bed and will calm down.
Your reading, however, will most likely lead them to a carefree dream.
Unlike watching television, which has been proven to keep people awake for a longer time, or the program content affects their sleep (nightmares, fear, tension, worries).
Books Connect Us
The content of the books enables conversation, arouses interest, evokes emotions and stimulates thinking.
Comfort
Some people with dementia, even though they can no longer read on their own, still like to keep books near them.
A person who once loved and read a lot, and has favorite books, will find comfort in them. He or she may want to just look at them, hold them or smell them. The books are evoking emotions and feelings with people with dementia. For this reason it is important to have books in a home for elderly people.
Conversation
Books can also be an essential element of a conversation.
With them, you can relive memories and life stories of a person. This is especially so with books that contain a lot of pictorial material. You can slowly review the pictures with the person with dementia, ask questions, and encourage spontaneous conversation.
Books stimulate the mind. Those of you who have a relative who doesn’t recognize people because of advanced dementia; maybe he/she forgets what they did that same day; or says very little, will
Connection
A book can be a wonderful connection between you and a person with dementia. By reading, you can create a pleasant atmosphere, an activity that makes sense and, above all, connection.
Make your usual time and visits to the person with dementia as beautiful and enjoyable as possible.
What Book to Choose when Reading to a Person with Dementia
Here we cover what to read and offer point our viewers in the direction of available resources that can be purchased.
Poetry
Reading is slower when reading poetry. There is less text and the same text can be read multiple times, line by line.
| PRODUCT | PROS/FEATURES | CONS | RATING | CHECK PRICE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | A Walk in the Garden | 2-lap book (lays flat) Large print Verses from nature, poetry and scripture 1-sentence text Full color drawings Hard cover | 5 STARS |  |
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 | Love Poems for the Young at Heart- nostalgic poetry | Large format Designed for dementia Award winning (Dementia Care) 20 poems Full color For adults (not children) | Paperback | No rating |  |
Folk songs
Folk songs help with bringing back memories. Memories of singing together and folk tales.
This can open conversation about when they sang certain songs (holidays, socializing, war). Permitting emotions to come to life!
Fairy tales
Like with folk songs, fairy tales may bring back childhood memories, together with memories of raising children.
These books have lots of pictures with only a little text Your storytelling can be funny, serious, exciting, and you can change your voice when reading.
Puzzles
In the first phase of dementia, people still like to solve mental games, train their memory, compose and draw. Puzzles from nature are especially interesting.
| PRODUCT | PROS/FEATURES | CONS | CUSTOMER RATING | CHECK PRICE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Draw the Pattern Activity | Wipeable sheets (reuse) Designed for dementia Suit early to middle stage dementia Keeps active for long periods Suitable for visually impaired 10 page book ~ 8.5" x 5.5" Completed with or without supervision | no rating | |
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 | Snow Queen Magic Painting Book | Suitable for early to middle stage dementia Brush over to bring out colors Mess free activity (no paint) | no rating | |
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 | Through the Seasons Activity Book | Designed for adults with memory loss Designed by expert (science) Simple & enjoyable Large format Colored pictures Theme- seasons Suitable for early to middle stage dementia | Includes Christmas in winter section (some people may not share beliefs) | 5 STARS | |
 | Strengthen Your Mind Brainstorming Activity Book | Brainstorming activities on variety of topics Answer key Suit early stage dementia Tips given for engagement Reviewed & tested by experts in dementia | no rating | |
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 | Strengthen Your Mind Brainstorming Activity Book | Designed for adults with dementia Made from assortment of fabrics Stimulating & therapeutic Engages body & mind Protective cover/case | 4.5 STARS | |
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 | Large & Giant Word Find Books- set of 4 | Large print Easy to medium skill level 80+ pages Large 8" X 11" format Stimulate the mind | Soft cover format | no rating | |
 | Strengthen Your Mind Brainstorming Activity Book | Interactive memory book Wide variety of games Easy to difficult Imaginative activities Advice for body/mind given 130 puzzles Designed for dementia Science based guidance Dr. Alexis Olson (author)-neuropsychological therapist | Paperback Some print green/brown color- not good for visually impaired | 4.5 STARS | |
 | Brain Games & More Activities of the Mind- set of 4 | Keeps entertained for long periods Good quality Not difficult Nice layout Engaging Inviting colorful illustrations Answer key | Soft cover format | 5 STARS | |
 | Paint With Water Coloring Book- set of 5 | No mess paint Enhances hand coordination Large water pen Bright colors revealed Let dry to erase pictures ( reuse over and over again) Suitable for early to middle stage dementia 5 themes Keeps occupied for long periods | Smallish book | 4.5 STARS | |
Cookbooks
Reading recipes, talking about food and what a person used to like to cook, evoke conversation, feelings and memories. Talk about favorite foods and how they made/cooked something- family secrets, special recipes.
Magazines and Newspapers
Selecting especially old magazines and newspapers from when the person with dementia was in their youth opens up conversations about the past.
Modern magazines and newspapers, interweaving of pictures and short text, following the days and current events, also allows for conversation.
| PRODUCT | PROS/FEATURES | CONS | RATING | CHECK PRICE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Memories 1940s for Seniors with Dementia- Mighty OakMemories 1940s for Seniors with Dementia- Mighty Oak Books Books | USA specific Easy to read large print Minimal text Full color 8.5" X 11" Many other similar books to choose (eg: 1950s, movie stars, TV) | 4.5 STARS | |
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 | Everyday Fashions Depicted in Sears Catalogue | American fashion 40s 50s 60s Suit early to middle dementia | No Rating | |
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 | 1951950s Memory Lane USA & Britain0s Memory Lane | Large print Suitable for persons with dementia Short easy to follow paragraphs Theme: 1950s USA & Britain 8" X 10" 35 pages | A little crowded More British than USA Black & white images | 4.5 STARS | |
Religious Content
Reading the Bible, religious stories and prayer will comfort persons with dementia, especially if they have a religious background.
| PRODUCT | PROS/FEATURES | CONS | RATING | CHECK PRICE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Songs of Faith CD's and Songbook | Large print songbook 25 Christian hymns & music Easy to hear & sing Played in lower keys Uncluttered 8.5" X 11" 32 pages Durable paper Coated cover 2 sets available to purchase | 5 STARS | |
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 | Favorite Hymns- very large print | Easy to read verses 24 popular hymns Beautifully illustrated Lies flat for easy following 14" X 12" book Suit early to mid dementia | 4.5 STARS | |
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 | Verses From The Bible- very large print | High contrast color pictures Stained glass illustrations Suit early to mid dementia 14" X 12" Book lies flat when open | 5 STARS | |
Photographic Monograph
These are excellent as they have lots of photos and less text, promoting browsing and viewing. Photographic Monographs foster conversations about nature, travel, sport etc.
Classic Novels
Memories are stimulated when reading popular novels, especially the classics of their day.
| PRODUCT | PROS/FEATURES | CONS | RATING | CHECK PRICE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Anne of Green Gables- Volume 1 | Super large print Designed for low vision readers Easy to read 6" X 9" 480 pages Volumes 2,3,4 also available | Paperback | 4.5 STARS | |
 | Moby Dick White Whale | Hardcover Sea Adventures Large 15pt font 8.25" X 11" 541 pages | Lots of description, making the text quite wordy | 4.5 STARS | |
 | The Complete Little Women | Hardcover 4 novels in 1 book 43 original sketches 6.4" X 9.21" 760 pages | Thick heavy book Some typos Not large print | 4.5 STARS | |
 | Hardcover Twin set Many classic illustrations 6.1" X 9.2" 640 pages Excellent quality | Small print | 4.9 STARS | |
Feel Good Picture Books
Memories are also stimulated with images and stories of familiar experiences such as going to a beach, walking in the park or going on a vacation.
| PRODUCT | PROS/FEATURES | CONS | RATING | CHECK PRICE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Wishing on a Star (suitable for early dementia) | Designed for Alzheimer Flat book for 2-lap reading Colorful & engaging Simple text Familiar images Created for adult audience Hard cover | |
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 | A Day at the Beach- 6 chapter book | Large print Simple text Happy memories of beach No mention of 'dementia' in text Color photographs Designed for seniors with dementia | 9" X 6" Paperback (small size book) Not a flat book - not easy for lap reading Story may be too simple and short | 4.5 STARS | |
 | The Sunshine on My Face- 28 pages (Other books in the series available) | Hard cover Easy to read text Illustrated Pleasant themes Author a clinical psychologist | Does mention 'memory difficulties' in text Text quite short | 4.5 STARS | |
Closing Remarks
Your next visit can take place without distress, thinking about what you will be talking about and wondering how to successfully break the uncomfortable silence if it occurs.
Even if a person won’t accept reading enthusiastically at first, don’t give up right away. Experiment with different literary genres and observe how the person responds.
Reading to a person with dementia is a rewarding experience for both them and yourself. It is simply a way to ensure your loved one is feeling happy, relaxed and connected.
