Many have asked for such references. There are very few. Here are some good ones.
The best review of literature on this topic that I have seen was recently published by Mary Beth Riedner
A small, published study measuring the impact of reading on Memory Care residents
What type of support would help in educating the public on the fact the reading is still an option for those living with dementia? (webinar, Zoom Driven Discussion group, access to published studies)
Welcome to our Reading2Connect Community! A space for you and your peers to connect, share stories, successes, and challenges.
Question: Did anything surprise you when you began offering the books to people living with dementia?
I don't think we've fully done what we can to promote use of this collection, but in the interactions I've had where I recommended the books to patrons, I've noticed a lot of doubt that their loved one would be capable of reading and enjoying the books. When patrons have doubts about their own enjoyment of a book, I remind them that they aren't required to finish reading anything they don't enjoy and that the library is free so it's a great way to try the books they are unsure about. In this situation though, it feels like overstepping a little. I don't usually know the person they'd be checking Reading2Connect books out for, and maybe they are correct and their loved one's condition really is too advanced. I don't want to be pushy.
Hi Cathy! Great question.
I wish I could give a long list of sources exploring the reading capacities of people living with dementia, but there are barely a handful. Sadly, the relationship between reading and dementia is barely touched in academia or senior care. In fact, libraries are the group that is grasping this concept most quickly and understanding its critical piece in the social/emotional wellbeing of people living with dementia.