European programme uses books to fight elderly isolation

A simple UK programme has been fighting elderly isolation by recruiting young adults as volunteers to read to seniors with vision problems and dementia.

Lorna Burnett has benefited from the program having her vision “restored” by 15-year-old Ailsa, a schoolgirl who was paired with Burnett through the Reading Friends project.

Prior to developing lupus in her 40s, Burnett was a librarian and avid reader who would read “two to three books every week”. After developing the disease, however, Burnett found herself unable to read or watch television for any length of time without her eyes hurting.

Not only has Burnett’s regular reading sessions with Ailsa helped to reconnect her with her passion for literature, they have also built a strong intergenerational friendship between the two ladies.

“I chose a book and she would come along and read it to me,” Burnett told BBC. “But we have only got through two books so far because we end up chatting too much. We have read two historical novels… and get on very well.”

Since the Reading Agency launched the program in 2017, they have rolled out dozens of one-on-one—and group—Reading Friends sessions across Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and England.

According to the organization’s website, “loneliness and social isolation is a significant health and wellbeing issue for older people” and “8-10% of people aged 65 and older are often or always lonely, while 12% feel socially isolated.”

“Research shows that reading together can help older people to build social networks and connect with others,” it continues. “Evidence also shows that reading has a positive impact on empathy, cognitive function and wellbeing and can reduce the risk of dementia.”

Ruth Sheppard, head of languages and literacy at Bannockburn High School, is responsible for connecting schoolchildren like Aisle with the program—and she says that it has had an amazing impact on the youngsters.

“We have wonderful young people at our school and we wanted to get them into the community,” Sheppard told BBC. “It has been fantastic to see them blossom as well as improving their literacy and social skills.

“They are meeting community members like Lorna that they are making friendships with, and library staff can help them, not only with education but outside as well.”

Source: GNN