6. Digital vs Print?

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Resources

Before diving into the benefits and challenges of reading text on a screen vs on paper, here are a few fabulous resources worthy of attention:

Libraries Transforming Communities!

The American Library Association and Association of Rural and Small Libraries are offering grants to libraries looking to expand patron outreach and build stronger community partnerships.

Nursing Homes Enriching Lives!

At no cost to Nursing Home, Reading2Connect will complete your CMP Grant application so that you may receive the Reading2Connect LTC Program for free. Inquire here.

People Affected by Dementia Taking Action!

There are two wonderful action groups for, and governed by, people living with dementia. 

• Dementia Action Alliance: forming friendships, exchanging ideas, and working to create positive community for people living with dementia.

• National Council of Dementia Minds: fostering education and dialogue among people living with dementia, care partners, healthcare providers, researchers, and policy makers.

• Young Dementia Network: an online community for everyone living with, working with or interested in young onset dementia. 

Reminder:

Want to see Reading2Connect’s methodology and books in action with

individuals in LTC, Libraries, and Adult Day settings? Join one of our live Info Sessions, or watch a recorded Info Session at your convenience.

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Digital vs Print?

A common question is whether people living with dementia benefit more from reading literature on a screen or on paper. The answer depends on the individual and their specific circumstances. Both formats have their strengths and challenges.

Reading on a Screen:

Advantages of Digital Text    

Gentlemen reading a digital, dementia-capable book.

1. Strong visual contrast

Digital screens often provide sharper contrast between text and background than paper ever could. Whether it’s on a phone, tablet, Kindle, laptop, or TV, words stand out vividly on an LED display. In fact, the visual contrast can often be adjusted to “just right.” This clarity can be particularly helpful for people with aging eyesight or difficulties focusing.

2. Easier to hold steady

Unlike a heavy book or a floppy magazine, a digital device doesn’t require as much fine motor control to hold still. Once angled properly, the screen usually stays in place with little effort, reducing the need for fine-tuned manual dexterity.

3. Customizable text

Most digital devices allow readers to adjust the text for better readability. Options such as enlarging the font size, choosing a bold or sans-serif typeface, or increasing line spacing all assist with visual tracking and make reading more comfortable. These adjustments also slow down the reading pace and allow for deeper comprehension.

Reading on a Screen: 

Drawbacks of Digital Text

1. Harder to see the big picture

Smaller screens like those on phones, tablets, or Kindles often limit how much of the text can be seen at once. This makes it harder to grasp the overall structure—where sentences and paragraphs begin and end, how they fit together, and how chapters flow together. For people with dementia, holding onto both the details and the whole story can be especially challenging, and a small, flat screen can make this problem worse.

2. Potential distractions

Many older adults are not entirely comfortable with electronic devices. The unfamiliar buttons, screens, or even the novelty of the technology itself can draw attention away from the reading experience, making it harder to stay focused on the text.

3. Reduced independence

For some people living with dementia, modern devices can feel intimidating. They may need help navigating the technology, which can take away from their sense of independence and self-esteem, even when the reading material itself is dementia friendly.

Reading on Paper:

Advantages of Print Text

1. Tactile connection

Readers living with cognitive changes often appear to feel more connected to literature on paper because of the tactile input. Over the many years of studying reading and dementia, we have noticed that these readers, when offered a dementia-friendly book, often run their hands over the pages, flip back and forth through the book, and even hold the book close to their chest when they are done. That physical interaction with the book is important to their focus and engagement.   

2. Supports nonlinear reading

We have also noticed that this readership often experiences dementia-friendly books in a nonlinear way. They might begin on page three, skip ahead, circle back, or reread sections multiple times in one sitting. Sometimes readers enjoy going through the same book repeatedly. This kind of flexible, looping reading style feels natural with paper but is harder to replicate on a digital device.

3. Familiar and reassuring

Print materials—books, magazines, catalogues, newspapers--have been a part of everyday life for generations. For most people, engaging with print is intuitive. This familiarity can foster confidence, independence, and a sense of ease for older adults.

Reading on Paper:

Drawbacks of Print Text

1. Difficult to manage

As we’ve referenced print material is often too heavy and bulky (e.g, coffee table book) or too light and unwieldy (e.g, newspaper).  For someone with reduced dexterity or grip strength, struggles to manage the material become distracting and tiring.

2. Fixed text

Unlike digital screens, the text on a printed page can’t be enlarged or reformatted. Small font sizes, cramped spacing, or poor print quality make print difficult to access for many living with cognitive changes.

3. Poor visual contrast

A page of text is often dark gray letters on an off-white or light tan background, which reduces readability. While good, direct lighting can improve visibility, the overall contrast is still lower compared to digital screens.

Conclusion

All these factors matter when thinking about how someone might enjoy literature in a calm, solitary, relaxed way. But if we shift the focus to enjoying text and images as a bridge for connection, then the printed page wins hands down.

Through years of work, Reading2Connect has seen that when people living with dementia share accessible, dementia-friendly print literature, the social and emotional benefits are profound.

Print makes it possible to give each participant their own copy, creating a shared experience. People living with memory challenges can sit together, and move naturally between reading aloud, commenting, listening, laughing, and returning to the text. This rhythm of shared reading fosters unscripted, genuine expression and meaningful connection.

Recreating this same kind of familiar, warm, social atmosphere, for this population, would be difficult using electronic devices.

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Mainstreamed Literature Suggestions for Readers Living with Cognitive Change

Though not designed for readers with dementia, there are two books written by Donald Hall which I would recommend for individuals living with dementia. Donald Hall was a prolific, renown, American writer and poet.

For those recently diagnosed, they may enjoy these short essays in the original form. For individuals who have been living with their dementia for a while, they may need the essay  modified to fit their needs.

(Note: One’s connection to a book is personal and individualistic; no book is for everyone.)

1. “Essays After Eighty” 

Written by Donald Hall

Published by Mariner Books 2015

NYT review: “Alternately lyrical and laugh-out-loud funny.”

2. “A Carnival of Losses: Notes Nearing Ninety” 

by Donald Hall 

Published by Ecco, 2018

Ann Patchett review: “So essential and direct it’s as if he’s put the full force of his life on the page.”

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