“Summertime is the perfect time to relax in the shade with an easy, breezy book,” says Cindy Wirth, Executive Director of Bridges® by EPOCH at Sudbury, a memory care assisted living community in Sudbury, MA. “Reading is an enjoyable pastime for all ages, and summer reads are a beloved tradition of young and old alike.”
“These days, people have more options than ever when it comes to finding a good book,” says Cindy. “Amazon, Goodreads, Kindles, public libraries … with just the click of a button, you can have a book sent to your e-reader or straight to your front door. That’s especially nice because you and your loved one don’t have to go anywhere – and can just sit enjoying a refreshing beverage on the porch.”
Here are Cindy’s top tips for getting ready for a summertime reading fest:
- Light it up. Be sure that you have plenty of light available to read without straining the eyes. Consider getting a reading light, even for the daytime, and make sure you have reading glasses or prescription glasses handy for your loved one.
- Go large. Large-print books are usually the best option for older adults, simply because they reduce eye-strain and make it easier to read.
- Get comfy. Pick a comfortable place for your loved one to sit and relax, whether that’s outside in a lawn chair or in an ergonomically correct chair in your living room. Remember, good posture is important to help your loved one avoid aches and pains.
- Consider an e-reader. E-readers are becoming more and more popular, even with those who swore they’d never give up their physical paper books. E-readers come in all shapes and sizes, and have adjustable screens that can optimize readability – a great option for older readers. Plus, e-readers can store hundreds upon hundreds of books in one convenient place!
Summer Reads for Seniors
The best books for “seniors” are ones that are geared towards your individual interests. Like fiction? History? Non-fiction? Whatever your loved ones’ tastes, you can hop onto Goodreads or Amazon to read reviews and find scores of “best of” lists to find some light summer reading. If you’re looking for a place to start, here are some of the top new books of the summer, according to the New York Times Best Sellers List.
- The Order by Daniel Silva
- The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
- 28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand
- Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
- Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
- The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
- The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn
If you’re looking for acclaimed books that have been out for a while, check out these favorites:
- The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah – a historical page-turner set in occupied France during World War II.
- A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman – a funny, heartbreaking and uplifting book about a lonely, grumpy old man whose life changes when a young couple moves in next door. Really, anything by Fredrik Backman should be on your reading list for summer.
- The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown – this non-fiction read follows in the footsteps of classics such as Unbroken and Seabiscuit to tell the tell of the American rowing team that stunned the world at Hitler’s 1936 Olympics.
- The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot – Henrietta Lacks, known by scientists as HeLa, was a poor Southern tobacco farmer whose biological cells were taken without her knowledge and ultimately became one of the most important tools in modern medicine.
- The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson – this brilliantly crafted non-fiction book tells the tale of the Chicago World’s Fair, contrasting the fair’s brilliant architect with the serial killer H.H. Holmes.
Summer Reads for Individuals with Dementia
We often talk about reading out loud to loved ones with dementia as an enjoyable and meaningful activity. However, it can also be a fulfilling solo activity for your loved one with dementia.
Emma Rose Sparrow is a leader in the genre of books for dementia patients. She saw a need for books designed for people with cognitive problems when both of her parents were diagnosed with dementia. It was her belief that the books should be formatted for the reader’s abilities to enable easy reading while maintaining dignity.
Emma’s books are divided into three levels. Level 3 is for those in the earlier stages and features large print, extra spaces between sentences and vibrant color photos throughout. Level 2 books focus more on photos and colors and less on words, making them excellent for those in mid-stage dementia. Level 1 books are for individuals who can no longer read words, but enjoy the act of holding and paging books. She defines them as “picture books for adults” and feature gorgeous, full-color photos of birds, animals, babies and nature scenes.
Besides Emma’s 20+ book series, here are some other options and authors who write books appropriate for seniors with dementia:
- The Sunshine on My Face, by Lydia Burdick and Jane Freeman
- The Simple Pleasures for Special Seniors series by Dan Koffman
- Blue Sky, White Clouds by Eliezer Sobel
Exceptional Care & Engaging Lifestyle
Bridges® by EPOCH at Sudbury provides exceptional memory care in a comfortable and engaging environment. Designed specifically to support those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, our community delivers a wellness-focused lifestyle that respects individual preferences and abilities. Our teams receive ongoing, specialized training so they may help residents to safely exercise their independence in a secure, calm environment.
Dedicated Memory Care
Our expert dementia care and comprehensive services are tailored to meet the unique needs of our residents, wherever they are on their journey with memory loss. Our life enrichment programs are personalized to residents’ interests and abilities, providing joy and meaning in daily life and enhancing emotional well-being.
Purpose-Built Design
Bridges® by EPOCH at Sudbury is more than a safe, beautiful place to live; it’s truly a home, where compassionate, dementia-educated caregivers help people with memory loss live more fulfilling lives. Our research-based design features soft lighting and colors, non-glare flooring, directional cues, aromatherapy and interactive life-enrichment stations that empower residents to comfortably move about their home with confidence.
Contact us today to learn more.