For my mother, Pamela, vascular dementia was the cruel companion she lived with for 10 years until her death. My father, Brian, a fellow journalist and novelist, suffered from Parkinson's disease and its accompanying milder form of dementia, which ravaged his brain for five years before he passed away last year. As they navigated this treacherous terrain, I found solace in reading to them – not just as a distraction but as a bridge between their worlds.
To my surprise, reading had a profound impact on both of their cognitive functions. While they may have been unable to initiate conversations or express their desires, they were still capable of comprehension and following stories. My father would sit silently for hours, his eyes vacant, yet respond positively when I read to him about his favorite author, Arthur Koestler. Similarly, my mother, an avid cat lover, was fully engaged with Doris Lessing's memoir on cats after I began reading aloud to her.
However, it wasn't until I observed their reactions that I realized the extent of their cognitive function. It was as if they had a "switch" within themselves that could be flipped when someone took the time to engage with them through storytelling. This experience taught me that one must never assume someone with a degenerative illness is unable to understand or engage due to silence or uncommunicativeness.
Recent studies have corroborated my findings, highlighting the benefits of reading aloud for people living with dementia. The Reader's charity has reported significant reductions in symptoms and improvements in wellbeing through its reading groups. Philip Davis's research at the University of Liverpool further underscores the value of storytelling as a means to reconnect individuals with dementia.
While I understand that there may be cases where this connection becomes impossible, I firmly believe that assisted dying is not the answer. For those with dementia, "death" comes when they cease functioning physically, not cognitively. Advocacy and support are essential in ensuring their voices are heard, and their lives continue to have meaning.
In a world that can sometimes seem overwhelming, it's these small moments of connection – through reading, conversation, or simply the act of being present for someone – that remind us of the beauty and complexity of human experience.
To my surprise, reading had a profound impact on both of their cognitive functions. While they may have been unable to initiate conversations or express their desires, they were still capable of comprehension and following stories. My father would sit silently for hours, his eyes vacant, yet respond positively when I read to him about his favorite author, Arthur Koestler. Similarly, my mother, an avid cat lover, was fully engaged with Doris Lessing's memoir on cats after I began reading aloud to her.
However, it wasn't until I observed their reactions that I realized the extent of their cognitive function. It was as if they had a "switch" within themselves that could be flipped when someone took the time to engage with them through storytelling. This experience taught me that one must never assume someone with a degenerative illness is unable to understand or engage due to silence or uncommunicativeness.
Recent studies have corroborated my findings, highlighting the benefits of reading aloud for people living with dementia. The Reader's charity has reported significant reductions in symptoms and improvements in wellbeing through its reading groups. Philip Davis's research at the University of Liverpool further underscores the value of storytelling as a means to reconnect individuals with dementia.
While I understand that there may be cases where this connection becomes impossible, I firmly believe that assisted dying is not the answer. For those with dementia, "death" comes when they cease functioning physically, not cognitively. Advocacy and support are essential in ensuring their voices are heard, and their lives continue to have meaning.
In a world that can sometimes seem overwhelming, it's these small moments of connection – through reading, conversation, or simply the act of being present for someone – that remind us of the beauty and complexity of human experience.
just read about this study on how reading aloud helps people with dementia & I'm like wow wasn't my mom right 
she had vascular dementia for 10 yrs & when I read to her, she'd respond to stories & even ask questions 
it's crazy how something as simple as reading can connect us, but what bothers me is that some ppl think assisted dying is the answer 
it's just not right, we gotta focus on supporting ppl with dementia instead of giving up on them 
dementia is literally the WORST and we need more awareness about it, not people tryna kill each other 
assisted dying is NOT THE ANSWER fam. my grandma had vascular dementia and she would get so lost sometimes but as soon as I started reading to her, she was like "oh yeah, that's me" 
. let's keep fighting for those with dementia, they're still with us in spirit 
! Reading aloud is literally a game changer 
- I mean, who knew it could be so powerful? It's all about sparking those little moments of connection and understanding between the person struggling with dementia and their loved ones. And honestly, it just feels like we're getting back to basics, you know? Like, we need to slow down and appreciate these human connections more 
. Plus, it's amazing how research is backing this up - Philip Davis's study at Liverpool Uni is like the ultimate validation 
! What I'm really loving about this movement, though, is that it's not just about the act of reading itself, but also about creating a sense of community and advocacy around dementia care 
. Let's keep spreading love, kindness, and stories for those who need them most 
but what really resonated with me is how powerful storytelling can be in connecting people despite cognitive decline its like a switch being flipped as you said 
and i love that the Reader's charity is doing this kind of work to help people with dementia find meaning and comfort in reading groups 
my mom used to get agitated when I talked to her but reading calmed her down 
and she loved it 
now its not about talking much its about listening 
and that too can be a big deal 
I feel so lucky to have grown up on platforms like this where we can share our stories & connect with others who get it 
. I mean, think about it - even though they might not be able to talk or move around much, their minds are still there, and if we can tap into that with something as simple as reading, it's like magic 
. And yeah, let's not forget the charity work being done by groups like The Reader's - those people are doing some amazing stuff!