World Book Day 2017: How this amazing book club is helping older people with dementia
Today marks World Book Day, where bibliophiles worldwide celebrate the art of poetry, prose and publishing.
Children dress up as their favorite characters, book shops offer discounts to under 18s and schools all over the UK focus on engaging young people in literary appreciation.
But what about the older population?
Social enterprise charity The Reader is celebrating World Book Day this year by connecting those experiencing dementia through shared reading groups. One in six people over the age of 80 have Dementia, and this organisation believes shared reading improves the quality of life for these people through cognitive stimulation and social interaction.
Dementia sufferers often feel confused and distressed, so the shared reading group is designed to allow for moments of clarity and pleasure through poetry.
Sheila, one patient who participated in the reading group, said she thinks the meetings are "really wonderful".
"It makes such a difference when the poems are read out loud", she said. "And then you discuss them, which of course is the object of this meeting."
World Book Day costumes for kids - in pictures
Follow Samantha J. Gross on Twitter: @samanthajgross
