In the almost ten years (!) since I wrote this series of blog posts under the umbrella heading of “reading aloud to the elderly,” there have been many changes in the world. Terminology has changed, so that I’ve found it important to change the word “elderly” to older people, despite the fact that it has been searches for “reading aloud to the elderly” that has brought many people to these posts. The possible ageist implications of “elderly” make it important for me to change this.
Important note: Reading aloud to older people in long-term care or other residential settings is not as easy as walking in, plunking yourself down, and starting to read. There are regulations in place to protect vulnerable older adults that mean there may be background checks or training that you will need to complete to become a regular volunteer. These things are important. Please check with the staff where you would like to volunteer to find out what the requirements are.
This, of course, doesn’t apply to reading aloud to your own family member. I hope it won’t discourage you from doing this oh-so-helpful volunteer work with others, as well.
In this series, I’ve talked about the WHY of reading aloud to older people, as well as WHAT and HOW. Today, I want to consider WHERE to read aloud to the elders in your life.
The short answer is ANYWHERE. Don’t wait for a perfect time or place, just read.
You can read in someone’s home, ensconced in comfortable chairs with a cup of tea close at hand, or you can read at their bedside in a care home or hospital.
You can read over the phone, or via Skype or Zoom. (Hint: grandparents or great-grandparents love to have kids read to them via Zoom or some other webcam app.)
Don’t wait for a formal occasion – if you read something that an older friend or family member would find interesting, give them a call and read it to them.
If you know of someone who perhaps has sight issues, or other issues that might make reading difficult (such as hand or head tremors), give the person a call or pop in to see them. Ask if there is anything they’d like you to read for them. One friend of mine often wanted me to read letters to her.
Random acts of reading count, too! If you see someone in an elevator struggling to see what’s on a notice taped to the wall, offer to read it for them. If someone is holding a can of prepared stew close to his/her eyes, offer to help. (If they say no, don’t push the issue, but they may be glad of assistance.)
There are many lonely, isolated people in nursing homes. Check with the staff to see if there’s anyone who might benefit from having a read-aloud buddy. Note the caveat above and check for requirements for such volunteers.
Another possibility in nursing homes is to ask if you could read to a small group. In such a case, you’d need to make sure there is a sound system so you could be heard. Read short reminiscence stories, and encourage people to share their stories.
Wherever you are – look for opportunities, and READ!
We know first hand how important this is. Since none of us live near our mother, we have hired someone to visit the nursing home once a week to read to mom. She reads my books to her as that is what mom wants to hear. I have found that the elderly enjoy children´s stories and have read from my books to groups in senior´s homes. These are such great posts. Thanks!
I love these ideas!
Great ideas! 😀
Lovely notions. However, if I were to read aloud to my mother – who would smack me if I called her elderly – her choice of titles might make me blush!
When you wrote about reading to a small group in a home, I had this vision of allowing them to feel like a kid again, sitting comfortably, maybe holding a comfort object, and listening to the story. This is a wonderful post, Beth. I’m going to share it.
Mary at Play off the Page