Reading for Seniors

The benefits of reading for seniors are wonderful, especially if they get together with a number of other seniors and read aloud to each other, and discuss what they have read. This, along with light exercise, has been done in Indonesia as a special program for senior citizens called Wreda Kirana. The change in many of their members’ mental, emotional, and even physical state is remarkable. The members say it is all due to the fact that when they participate in this bi-weekly program, they are much happier. They enjoy the light exercise for their bodies, stimulating their minds by reading and talking about their thoughts on what was read, and especially just getting together with other people.

There is also a similar program here in the United States called People and Stories where seniors as well as others who have not had much by way of an education get together once a week for about an hour or more. In this program a short story is read out loud and then they discuss it. It is of great benefit for the members because the stories are chosen to portray the complexities of life and help in problem solving, parenting, self-confidence, patience with others, and a host of other areas.

There is a wonderful program called The Oasis Intergenerational Tutoring Program where senior citizens volunteer to tutor children from six to nine years of age in reading and other subjects. This is outstanding because it is a symbiotic relationship; not only do the children benefit from a one-on-one relationship with someone who is taking interest in them, but the senior citizens gain more of a sense of self-worth and have an outlet for them to express their love and experiences.