BRING BACK THE PLEASURE OF READING TO YOUR BELOVED SENIOR
I was a prolific reader of both fiction and nonfiction up to about 10 years ago or so. At first, my schedule didn’t allow that much free time, and then the doggone print was too small, which made reading glasses a necessity. Later on I developed dyplopia, a weakening of some of the eye muscles in my left eye, which really made it difficult to manipulate a book and still read comfortably. As a result, I gave up reading other than for business.
However, my wife and son surprised me with a KINDLE for Christmas this year and I’m back to reading novels while I’m exercising on the treadmill or during leisure time. KINDLE is a very thin electronic device that stores and displays electronic print. It’s easy to choose the novel you want, purchase it right over the KINDLE, and within 30 seconds the book is available to read. The price per book is very affordable and is normally cheaper than purchasing it in hardbound or paperback.
The KINDLE is very easy to read. The reading surface is flat; you can change the size of the print; the screen is readable even in low light situations; and, you can switch the screen orientation from portrait to landscape. No wrestling with the fold or turning pages (just press a button) – it’s right there in front of you like a small computer screen.
I can definitely see how a nursing home or an assisted living center could buy a couple of these and make them available to their residents. Each device costs around $249, but it is worth every penny to enjoy reading again! They can be bought online at AMAZON.COM.
Maybe your senior can afford to buy one themselves, or maybe you could give it as a gift for your loved one and help them purchase novels and adjust the screen orientation and change the size of the print. It is quite a simple process – you could even show the resident’s nurse or caregiver how to do it – and it’s easy to operate.
We often think that, other than modern medicine, new technology just doesn’t suit the elderly. But this is one magnificent device that can bring back the joy of reading to seniors as long they have moderate visual acuity.
by Tom Ratcliff