practical living
people living in retirement villages and residential homes in the
UK, US and Australia.
Similarly, many community organisations also include facilitated
shared reading groups in their activity programs for people of all
age groups.
A facilitated shared reading group enables its participants to
listen and respond to the novel, poem or short story. Importantly,
individual responses do not have to be shared with the group
leader or any or the group’s members.
When people experiencing anxiety, depression or social isolation
are part of a facilitated shared reading group, there is no pressure
for them to comment on the text or share their responses to it.
Listening to a group discussion or other group members’
comments may even affirm their responses to the reading or
provide another point of view for later reflection.
Susan McLaine, in her paper ‘Bibliotherapy: Reading for
Wellbeing in Old Age’, describes shared reading group response as:
“The group members then respond to what they have listened
to. For some, this may be to voice their thoughts; for others it
may be to just think thoughts. There is no pressure for anyone
to speak and, at times, the members of the groups share an
undemanding silence. It is an opportunity to be with people
without the pressure of the expectation of having to interact.”
Facilitated shared reading groups offer older people
opportunities to reconnect with and respond to memories and
past experiences. Remembering childhood experiences, times
of loss or sorrow or times of great joy and happiness can be the
catalyst that triggers a higher sense of self and increasing social
connection with others. This, in turn, can result in decreasing
episodes of anxiety and depression leading to improved mental
health and wellbeing.
The mind is one of the most personal and precious aspects of
our being. As the body ages so too does the mind.
Good mental health and wellbeing is just what our older people
should be experiencing in this stage of their lives. Bibliotherapy and
facilitated shared reading groups are an essential part of providing
this for them. ■
Nerelie Teese has been an educator for more than 25 years and
now provides bibliotherapy services for older Australians.
References:
Bate, J. 2016. Books do furnish a mind: the art and science of bibliotherapy. The Lancet. Vol 387 February 20, 2016.
McLaine, S. 2012. Bibliotherapy: Reading for Wellbeing in Old Age. Alzheimer’s Australia Dementia Forum 2012 Melbourne, Australia.
Teese, N. 2013. Words Move Minds. Bush poet’s live performances bring excitement and social stimulation to residents. Aged Care Insight. November
2013.
2018 AMH Aged
Care Companion
AVAILABLE NOW
The 2018 release of the AMH Aged Care Companion contains updated
information on allergic conjunctivitis, dry eyes, gout, heart failure, hypertension,
insomnia, osteoporosis, major depressive disorder, pain management,
restless legs syndrome, rhinitis, rhinosinusitis (formerly sinusitis), along with
changes to several other topics. New drug names have been incorporated in
accordance with the TGA’s adoption of changes to approved drug names in the
Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG).
AMH Aged Care Companion available now
in print or online. Go to www.amh.net.au
for more information.
agedcareinsite.com.au 23