Reading on a Snowy Day in an Alzheimer’s Family

Winter break from school has arrived for the grandkids.  We’re also digging out from a blizzard that left 12-16 inches of snow, depending on whether it drifted or not.  Along with show shoveling tasks, reading is on the agenda today.

We are a family of readers in our multi-generational home (grandfather, granny, mom, dad and the two children).  Books abound around the house, the library is a fun place to visit, bookstores (new and used) hold a fascination, and online bookstores are enjoyable to access.

Reading in an Alzheimer’s World

My mother was a reader, too, and could sit midst clutter in her kitchen and read before the woodstove.  When any of us remarked that there were dishes to be washed, etc., Mother replied, “The chores will always be there.  But I might not always be able to read.”

How true!  When Mother reached her Alzheimer’s years, she would follow words with her finger in a magazine and repeat them out loud.  When she could no longer do that, a staff member or I would read to her.  Then she looked at magazine pictures, when she couldn’t understand words, and recalled memories they brought to mind.

So treasure your ability to read and encourage your children to do so.  Reading brought Mother pleasure and learning for many years.  I even have a read book she used in school in the early 1900s.

What types of books are we reading in our family?  Mysteries, fantasy, sci-fi, quilting and fabric art, inspirational and Biblical.  I’m reviewing picture books and those on Alzheimer’s for my blogs.

What are you reading this winter?

(Amazon image)