4. Text Presentation – How Does It Impact Readability?

__________________________________________________________________________

Resources

Before diving into how text presentation affects readability for people living with dementia, here are a few practical notes and reminders.

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!

Center of Medicare Services (CMS) Civil Monetary Penalties (CMP) Reinvestment Grants are open again! Reading2Connect provides free assistance to all licensed nursing homes in completing CMP applications. 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.

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.

__________________________________________________________________________

Text Presentation -- How Does it Impact Readability?

For individuals living with neurocognitive disorders, the appearance of text plays a crucial role in how easily it can be read and understood.

This post explores three key elements of text presentation that directly impact accessibility:

1. Font

2. Visual Contrast

3. Illustrations

___________________________________________________________________________

1. Font

-- Size

The larger the font, the easier to read for two reasons:

• One, a large font reduces eye strain.

• Second, a large font creates more space between letters, words, and lines. This extra spacing—even if subtle—supports clearer word recognition and smoother visual tracking across the page.

Dense text, by contrast, can place a high visual and cognitive demand on the reader. That’s why large-print books are often a helpful option.

Reducing the overall cognitive load of reading is essential for people with dementia. The less effort required to identify and decode letters and words, the more mental energy remains available for understanding and enjoying the content.

-- Typeface

In addition to size, the style of font matters. Sans serif fonts (those without decorative strokes) are generally easier to read than serif fonts. 

Here is an example of a serif “F” and a non-serif (or sans serif) “F.”

Fonts that are solid, consistent in stroke width, and free of extra embellishments are easier to recognize at a glance. 

Font is one of many features that help keep the reading process as automatic as possible, so that cognitive resources can be spent on comprehension and contemplation.

2. Visual Contrast

High visual contrast is another element that decreases the workload during the reading process. High visual contrast is usually achieved with bright white paper and black text. Most newspapers, magazines, books use dark grey ink on light tan or light grey paper. This combination can make reading difficult to sustain.

Note: One way to increase visual contrast is simply by shining bright light on the page. Lighting plays a huge role in the presentation of text. Task lighting above and behind the reader is best for decreasing eye strain and cognitive load in general.

3. Illustrations

Images can be powerful tools for supporting comprehension, focus, and engagement. For readers with dementia, well-placed illustrations can:

1. Capture attention and stir emotional resp

   onses, helping the reader feel more connected to the text.

2. Reinforce meaning, making abstract or complex ideas more concrete.

3. Provide rest—offering a momentary break from the hard work of decoding text, while keeping the reader engaged in the topic.

Images that are vivid, clear, easy to identify, and (when possible) colorful, enhance understanding and enjoyment without adding confusion.

_________________________________________________________________________

The challenge comes in finding literature that has the features that lessen the cognitive load of reading, while remaining age-appropriate, challenging, and intriguing to the adult reader with dementia. All people – including those in LTC - expect to learn something or be introduced to something new, when text is presented to them.

Our readership requires and deserves literature that respects their intelligence, experience, accomplishments, and abilities. 

_________________________________________________________________________

Mainstreamed Literature Suggestions for Readers Living with Cognitive Change

The goal of this blog section is to help you identify and evaluate reading material that may be readable and enjoyable for people living with dementia.

Though not designed for readers with dementia, the following two books have some dementia-friendly elements. They have minimal but impactful text and their images are captivating. However, while “God is No Stranger” is a good example of high visual contrast and clear typeface, “The Gifts of the Magi,” unfortunately, has poor visual contrast and difficult-to-read typeface. 

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

1. God is no Stranger, by Sandra L. Burdick

2. Gift of the Magi, by O. Henry, Illustrated by Lisabeth Zwerger

__________________________________________________________________________

Click below to comment, ask questions, or share your own reading experiences. We'd love to hear from you!