I got my love for reading from my Mama. She was an avid reader. Her love of a good mystery influenced my own reading habits. I read all her Agatha Christie and Rex Stout paperbacks, and she borrowed all my alphabet and cat mysteries. We also shared a love for Erle Stanley Gardner’s Perry Mason.
When it comes to reading, this is a great time of the year. The holiday season is over, and the weather keeps us inside more. These factors give us the perfect excuse to enjoy more guilt-free periods of curling up with a new or favorite book.
Reading vs TV Watching
Speaking of reading, I just read a report on a fantastic study by researchers at the University of South Australia. Their research brings to light the possibility that choosing reading over TV watching can help reduce a person’s risk of cognitive decline, or perhaps even of getting dementia. As an avid reader, I found this to be quite encouraging. I love to discover what activities, and lifestyle changes I can make to help strengthen my own brain.
In July 2024, the Lancet Commission reported that almost one-half of dementia cases could be prevented by changes in our daily lifestyle and activities. Also, findings from a Finnish study, (FINGER), found that lifestyle changes even improved cognitive function and memory in older people with APOE4, a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.
A study published in PubMed Central agrees: “Reading activity prevents long-term decline in cognitive function in older people: evidence from a 14-year longitudinal study”. It turns out that the more you read, the lower your risk of developing dementia. Conversely, not reading might be a factor in someone experiencing cognitive decline.
Physical Books vs Digital Books
Is there a difference in the benefits between reading a physical book or a digital one? In an article in Psychology Today. I learned there are several benefits – such as better comprehension, absorption, and recall.
One advantage I could relate to is that turning pages as we read creates an ‘index’ in the brain, mapping what we read visually to a particular page. There are a few books that I’ve read, where I can remember passages in the book, as well as ‘see’ the page it is printed on.
Cognitive Decline and Reading
Even if there is already cognitive decline, the act of holding a book, turning the pages, and looking at the pictures can bring an element of joy. My Mama lost her ability to read words, but she continued to enjoy reading through magazines or other books containing a lot of pictures.
One of her favorites was a church directory filled with smiling faces. She would look through that one over and over. Wayne and I loved watching her read, as there was a picture of a lady whose smile was a bit grimacing (we assumed that it was the best she could do). Every time Mama came to that page, she would gasp, point to it, and then try to copy the expression. After a moment, she would continue on through the book. The books she read gave Mama a great deal of pleasure, so even though her ability to read words had diminished, the action developed over a lifetime still existed.
Building our Cognitive Reserve
There is a concept called Cognitive reserve. It is like a savings account for our brains. Studies suggest that this reserve is developed and increased throughout a lifetime of educational and occupational achievements, along with leisure activities later in life, including, among other things, reading magazines, newspapers, or books. The higher the reserve, the more ability a person has for coping with age-related changes and diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
This concept of cognitive reserve holds out promise that even later in life, engaging in activities such as reading may slow cognitive aging or reduce the risk of dementia. If Alzheimer’s does emerge, it develops at a later point in life. They summarized the studies and found the protective effect of higher cognitive reserve decreased the risk of developing dementia by 46%.
A study by Neurology found that “a cognitively active lifestyle in old age may delay the onset of dementia in Alzheimer’s by as much as five years.” If you’re looking for a worthwhile New Year’s Resolution, adding a book or three to your list may be worth considering. By reading or being involved in activities that interest and inspire you, the return you receive may be one of the most precious of gifts. Time!
Has your world been touched by dementia?
My book, “Finishing Well: Finding the Joy in Dementia“, is a collection of stories and tips about doing life with my Mama. May it encourage and inspire you to find joy on your own, unique journey.