As a loved one's health declines, it can be hard to make conversation or find activities to share. When that happens, I recommend reading aloud to your loved one. I found an excellent series of articles that cover the who, what, where, when, and how of reading aloud to the elderly. They're by writer/editor Beth Stilborn; you can find them on her website.
Here are some tips from Beth:
Ask leading questions like "do you still like to read?" Depending on your loved one's response, you can offer to read to (or with) them.
Pick reading material that matches their interests.
Don't limit yourself to books. You can read magazine articles, poetry, even letters.
You don't need to be physically present. You can read aloud to a loved one over the phone.
Reading aloud can be a wonderful way to spend time with a loved one. I hope you'll try it and let me know how it goes.
Another Reading Opportunity: Learn about romantic poetry for reading aloud
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