There came a time when my father’s eyes deteriorated so much that he was unable to read himself, so we moved to a new routine where I read aloud to him and he enjoyed listening.

Depression is a critical global health issue, particularly for the elderly. When you read together, you feel calmer and more in tune. You’re on the same frequency with each other. There's love and a real connection. Maybe that’s the biggest thing about it. (A person's iPad or TV cannot do this!)

Rather than assuming your loved one is fine just because they do not complain, check out books for them tailored to their specific interests. This will dramatically increase the chances that they will get engaged. Let them rediscover their love of a certain topic, time in history, country, athlete, sport, etc. There is an endless supply of books at the public library. This is great news. You can start getting books for them right away. You can focus on adding quality to their final years (not just adding years)!

More than half of older adults are affected by hearing impairment. If that's the case with your loved one, speak slowly and enunciate your words to ensure your loved one understands you. Older adults may also learn more slowly because of declining fluid intelligence. I recommend you keep reading sessions short and relaxed and allow time to discuss what you’ve read together (That's the best part sometimes!)

Cognitive aging impacts your loved one's ability to focus. You may find that they are easily distracted by environmental factors. Try to reduce distractions if you are reading aloud. When reading to my father, I always turned off the TV so we could quietly focus on what we were reading.

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