Abstract:
The study aims to investigate the effectiveness of read aloud strategy on old lives with vision
impairments for reducing loneliness and social isolation. Read aloud is an activity that
incorporates variations in pitch, tone, pace, volume, pauses, eye contact, questions, and
comments and provides cognitive stimulation to older adults. For older adults who loved to
read all their lives, listening to someone read to them can bring profound comfort and joy.
However, unlike in Western countries reading aloud is not a popular concept in Asia. 8
respondents (between 62 – 77 years) were selected considering family support, easy access,
willingness to try out the concept of reading aloud, and level of vision impairment for the
research. The majority (5) were female adults. An open-ended questionnaire was utilized to
collect data after exposing them to 8 sessions (3- 4 hours) during 4 months. Various reading
materials are used according to the preference of adults. Most loved materials by males were
comic stories while females loved to listen to short stories mainly. Reading novels was not
productive as most of them could not remember the previous session. The interest of older
adults in read-aloud activities improved considerably after each session. Willingness to adopt
the concept to eradicate loneliness and social isolation showcased their willingness to social
engagement. It was evident that those who had the habit of reading could easily concentrate on
the activities and sometimes they could predict the next part of the story. Studies proved that
social isolation and loneliness caused by vision impairment can be reduced by reading aloud
with the assistance of family or caregivers. This research concludes the need for large print
reading materials for visually impaired adults, a special library corner for the elderly, and the
introduction of read-aloud activities for the elderly especially institutionalized.
