5. Physical Format – How Does It Impact Readability?
- Susan Ostrowski, Co-Creator/Owner Reading2Connect®
- Aug 18
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 2
Resources
Before diving into how the physical construct of a book affects readability for people living with dementia, 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.
Physical Format – How Does It Impact Readability?
The physical construct of reading materials can, in many cases, determine the readability and accessibility of the written word for people living with neurocognitive disorders.
Unfortunately, for individuals with arthritis, manual tremors, or reduced dexterity, most books are too heavy and too cumbersome.
In addition, separating and turning each page can be a challenge. Especially for those living with dementia, the effort of holding the book steady can pull focus away from reading, making it harder to visually track and to understand the text.
Newspapers and magazines often create similar obstacles. While they are much lighter than books, their flimsy pages can be a challenge to handle and keep steady.
Book Stands
One helpful solution may be to use a book stand on one’s lap or on a table. These stands come in many styles and are available online and in office supply stores.
The best choice depends on personal preference. You’ll find them sold under different names such as, Book Lift, Tablet Stand, Document Stand, Copy Holder.
Book Stands that have “markers” to hold pages in place may be especially useful, as they free the reader to focus fully on the text.
Another advantage of a book stand is that it raises the reading material up at an angle. This allows readers to position themselves comfortably. The book, in a way, comes to the reader and stays put. This stability creates a smoother, more engaging connection between the reader and the page.
The Relationship Between our Eyes and the Page
An often-overlooked advantage of using a book stand is how it supports our natural eye gaze. We read most comfortably when our eyes meet the page at a right angle.
Think about browsing in a library or bookstore—you wouldn’t stand and hold a book flat in your hands. Instead, you’d instinctively tilt it toward you.
Likewise, when a book rests flat on a desk, you automatically bend your head downward to read the text. This positioning can cause neck strain.
While this adjustment is something we do without much thought, it becomes increasingly important as we age. A book stand can be adjusted to position the book at the ideal angle for us. Book stands reduce muscle strain and cognitive strain so we can focus more on interpreting the text.
Glare Reduction
Another advantage of book stands is their role in reducing glare from overhead lighting. Research in visual ergonomics shows that reflections from glossy surfaces—common in magazines and coated paper—can disrupt contrast sensitivity and strain the visual system. For aging eyes, these reflections can severely compromise reading comfort.
By positioning the page at a more favorable angle, book stands help minimize glare, allowing the visual system to focus more comfortably on the text.
Lighting
For comfortable reading, good lighting is just as crucial as good positioning. The most eye-friendly setup combines:
Ambient lighting that evenly brightens the room, and
Task lighting positioned above and slightly behind the reader.
This balance eases eye strain, allowing readers to devote their full attention and mental energy to the content of the book rather than the effort of seeing it.
Give book stands a try and
tell us what you think in the
Comments Section below!
Mainstreamed Literature Suggestions for Readers Living with Cognitive Change
Though not designed for readers with dementia, the following two books have some dementia-friendly elements, especially in terms of physical format. They both are larger than typical books and their bindings allow the books to lay almost flat on a table, so they’re easier to manage than most books.
Both books stimulate recollections, chuckles, and feelings of peace. Each book encourages sharing with people of all ages, including children.
(Note: One’s connection to a book is personal; no single book speaks to everyone.)
1. “Landings - A Crooked Creek Farm Year”
Written and illustrated by Arwen Donahue
Published by Hub City Press: publishing new and extraordinary voices from the American South
This book unfolds moments of daily life of a family farm in Kentucky, celebrating the beauty, struggles, and peace of working on the land.
2. “Alligators Always Dress for Dinner - An Alphabet Book of Vintage Photographs”
by Linda Donigan and Michael Horwitz.
Publisher: Images from the Past, Inc: publishing history in ways that help people see it for themselves.
This book links letters and words with engaging images, exploring history, culture, and the art of photography.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Click below to comment, ask questions, or share your own reading experiences. We'd love to hear from you!
Excellent info - and I think that it's important to consider lighting / glare for not only reading, but in general for ADLs, and overall comfort for those with Dementia, especially those that might not be verbal. It's subtle things like this that may have caused many to turn away from activities such as reading as the disease progresses and frustrations grow. What a joy to see someone re-discover something they loved to do!
Great information for all of us. Thank you!
Well thought out and presented. A must read for all who wish to connect with the elders in their lives.
Will have to try a book stand myself, I've noticed strain on my neck and wrists at the end of a long reading session. Super interesting!