Summary
Research about a reading-based (literature-based) intervention for improving the quality of life for people living with dementia involved a specific intervention, called “Get into Reading”. The following report covers this intervention based on the reading-aloud of literature in a series of older people’s care settings.
The Reader Organisation’s “Get Into Reading” project involved not just reading but aimed also to encourage active involvement at individual and social levels. The aims of the study were to understand the influence that reading can have on older adults with dementia in different healthcare environments. The study looked also at staff perceptions of engagement on their part when participating in reading groups and investigated changes in dementia symptoms as a result of participation.
Effective engagement with reading groups was thought likely to enhance patients’ sense of enjoyment, authenticity and meaningfulness; perhaps bestowing a renewed sense of personal identity. Enhancement to participants’ listening, memory and attention skills were also considered.
Engagement in reading-group activities appeared to produce a significant reduction in dementia symptom severity. Staff interviews tended to confirm the contribution of reading groups to well-being.
Reference
Billington, J. Carroll, J. [and] Davis, P. [et al] (2014). A literature-based intervention for older people living with dementia: an evaluation report by the Centre for Research into Reading, Information and Linguistic Systems. Liverpool: University of Liverpool Centre for Research into Reading, Information and Linguistic Systems (CRILS), May 2012.
A related article:
Full Text Link (Note: This article requires a suitable Athens password, a journal subscription or payment for access).
Reference
Billington, J. Carroll, J. [and] Davis, P. [et al] (2013). A literature-based intervention for older people living with dementia. Perspectives in Public Health, May 2013, Vol.133(3), pp.165-73. (Click here to view the PubMed abstract).
Possibly also of interest:
Full Text Link (Note: This article requires a suitable Athens password, a journal subscription or payment for access).
Reference
Latchem, JM. [and] Greenhalgh, J. (2014). The role of reading on the health and well-being of people with neurological conditions: a systematic review. Aging and Mental Health. August 2014; 18(6): 731-44.
