As you enter retirement, you will have a lot of free time to explore hobbies that you didn’t have time for before. This transition to retirement is a great time for you to learn, enjoy and make your leisure time more meaningful. However, only 69 percent of older adults reported having read one book or more in the past year as compared to 80 percent of individuals between 18 to 29.
We understand that picking up reading as a hobby can be challenging, especially if you have not been reading in a while. Read on to find out some reasons why you should get started, and a list of recommended books for the elderly to get you started!
Benefits of Reading
Nothing beats a good book, especially when it comes to its benefits on your health.
- Reducing Stress
For many older adults, growing older can bring about a lot of stress. Books can be an easy and accessible way to escape the everyday responsibilities they have to deal with, providing an afternoon away from the realities of life. On top of this, reading has been shown to help relax the muscles and lower your heart rate.
- Reducing Loneliness & Depression
One of the best things about reading is that it can help older adults deal with loneliness. Many individuals live away from family and reading helps as a form of distraction.
- Increasing Social Interactions
A common activity that many avid book readers take part in is sharing their opinions and views with other readers. This can either take place online, at a bookstore or a weekly book club. Other than this, older adults can also be reading books with their family members or loved ones as a way to bond.
Fiction Books
For older adults who enjoy something that is out of this world, fiction books are the way to go. This can inspire your imagination while you explore new worlds in the pages.
- Harry Potter series: An enjoyable tale of magical adventures for young and old alike. It chronicles young Harry Potter’s entrance into the wizarding world, where he finds friends, love, and a deep-rooted struggle against evil.
- The Handmaid’s Tale: Exploring many themes surrounding a woman’s role in society, this story is set in a dystopian future where the American government has been overthrown.
Non-Fiction
- The Boys In The Boat: Nine Americans And Their Epic Quest For Gold At The 1936 Berlin Olympics: This highlights the story of the rowing team that wow-ed the world at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. The author refers to the boys’ own accounts in journals and diaries to highlight the importance of finding hope and beating the odds.
- The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks: Henrietta Lacks, known also as HeLa, had cells that have become one of the greatest discoveries in modern medicine today. Learn more about the origin and ethics that take place with medical progress.
- I am Malala: Exploring the story of Malala Yousafzai, she has become the younger Nobel Peace Prize laureate, inspiring many to speak out against violence and stand up for injustices in the world.
Enjoy Retirement to Its Fullest at Mariposa
At Mariposa, we believe that everyone deserves to live a life that is full of joy and purpose. This is why we have many different exclusive senior living programs that feature interesting events and activities every day. This allows us to meet the unique needs of the residents in our senior living community.