If you’re yet to make the move from paperbacks to e-readers, it might be time to do so!
Whether you’re waiting for an appointment at the doctor’s, going on a holiday, or simply relaxing at home, a good book is essential.
Reading comes with many benefits, from a better night’s sleep to stress reduction. It can also help improve memory and decision-making skills, with recent studies even finding links between reading and delayed onset of Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.
But books can sometimes be a hassle: they can be big, heavy, easily damaged, and expensive. But what alternatives are there? If you’re an avid reader, you would have heard about the growing popularity of e-readers. But what benefits can e-readers provide? KompleteCare has done the research for you to give you the benefits of using an e-reader for seniors.
Portable and compact
E-readers are compact and lightweight, making them easy to carry and use on the go. No matter how long or extensive the book is, it’ll fit on your e-reader with ease, saving precious space in your handbag. You can also fit over 5,000 digital books on a standard e-reader with 8 gigabytes of storage, with larger storage options available.
Comfortable to use
Lighter than large print books, a standard e-reader weighs about 200g, about the size of a small apple or a cup of sugar. This means they can be held for long periods of time, even with only one hand. You can also purchase protective cases with an ergonomic grip so you can hold the device more comfortably and easily. If you can’t find an ergonomic case that you love, you can even attach a pop grip to the back of your e-reader to make it easier to hold.
Easy on the eyes
E-readers allow for much customisation to your reading experience, including font size, font type and page colour, line spacing, and text alignment. Most models even have a text-to-speech option and talking menus (assistive technology that reads digital text aloud). E-readers are backlit, meaning you can see the screen comfortably in bright sunlight and easier on the eyes than reading on an iPad or phone.
A great holiday companion
E-readers contain a large battery that can offer up to 10 weeks of battery life, meaning you could charge it before a holiday and not have to worry about charging it again until you get home. The devices also offer the convenience of built-in Wi-Fi and data connection, so you can download and access e-books wherever you are. They’re also splashproof and water resistant, perfect for poolside reading.
They can save you money in the long run
While the e-reader itself will set you back a couple of hundred dollars, e-books are cheaper to produce than paperbacks and are, therefore, cheaper to buy. For example, The Maid by Nita Prose is currently $17.70 for a paperback edition on Amazon but $12.99 for a Kindle edition. Amazon also offers a Kindle Unlimited subscription for $13.99 per month, giving you access to millions of select titles that you can download to your device.
Easier on the environment
Unfortunately, paper books contribute significantly to deforestation, with up to 14% of deforestation occurring to satisfy our need or want for paper goods. Digital books require no paper or ink, meaning they leave little to no carbon footprint. Given that e-readers come with their own backlight, they can also help to save energy when reading at night and in dimly lit spaces.
If you’re interested in purchasing an e-reader, Adaptive Clothing Australia has put together a guide for e-readers for seniors, filled with recommendations on the top e-readers available and tips for using your new e-reader. One of the best things you can do when deciding which e-reader to choose is to head to your local electronics store and have a better look. Pick them up and see how they feel in your hands, and don’t be afraid to ask questions!
At KompleteCare, we know that shopping of any kind can be a tedious or daunting task when ageing or living with a disability. You may be struggling with mobility or cognitive issues, be suffering an illness or injury or do not have the capabilities required to get all your shopping done alone. Our KompleteCare support workers are here to help you achieve all your shopping goals and ensure you have everything you need or want at home. This service is available at a private cost or to anyone with an approved Home Care package or NDIS funding in line with plan goals. For more information, call us on (08) 8265 5696 or enquire through our website.