How we restored 90-year-old Sally’s passion for reading

For Sally, reading has always been an important part of her life. At 90 years old, she has always enjoyed getting lost in a good book and discovering different people, places and stories through reading.

Originally from Canada, Sally moved to the UK with her husband in 1963 during his service with the RAF, eventually settling in Derby to be close to family and enjoy the surrounding countryside.

An avid reader throughout her life, Sally particularly loves contemporary fiction and authors like Elizabeth Strout. As she beautifully puts it:

“reading takes me to a different place each time I pick up a new book.”

However, when Sally stopped driving, visiting Allestree Library to pick out fresh books became increasingly difficult, leaving her reliant on infrequent visits with her daughter who lives further away.

For families exploring how home care supports hobbies and independence, Sally’s story highlights how professional home care extends far beyond domestic help. If you’re wondering how to combat loneliness in older adults, removing practical barriers to lifelong passions plays a vital role in maintaining daily joy and purpose.

Overcoming obstacles to lifelong passions

Although Sally always kept a book on the go, being unable to access new titles meant she often had to reread books she already owned. She recalled feeling “sad, as I enjoy reading new books.”

Recognising how much reading meant to her identity, our Derby team reached out to local community services to find a solution. Working alongside local library teams, we arranged a home-delivery mobile library service specifically tailored to Sally’s reading tastes.

Every six weeks, the mobile library delivers six fresh books directly to Sally’s door, returning to collect the previous selection. Rather than choosing from limited shelves, Sally shares her author preferences and genres, allowing librarians to handpick a curated selection.

The impact of reading on mood and emotional wellbeing

Research suggests that the benefits of reading for older adults are substantial. Reading keeps the mind active, reduces stress, stimulates memory, and offers rich mental companionship.

The regular six-week visits have given Sally something tangible to look forward to, boosting her overall mood and outlook. Highlights of her personalised mobile library service include:

• Fresh discoveries: Receiving six new books every six weeks tailored to her literary tastes.
• Exploring new genres: Discovering unexpected “gems” and new authors alongside favourite contemporary novels.
• A welcoming visitor: Enjoying a friendly chat with the library representative during book exchanges.
• Restored purpose: Maintaining a lifelong hobby that preserves her independence and identity.

Going beyond routine care at home

Reflecting on the service arranged by Radfield Home Care Derby, Ashbourne & South Derbyshire, Sally expressed her gratitude:

“It’s a great idea. I can’t thank Radfield enough, going above the day-to-day care you provide, the extra thinking of something like this. Never expected. It’s nice to know that the service is out there to support people like me.”

Seeing how home care supports hobbies and independence in practice reassures families that their loved ones are receiving thoughtful, individualised attention.

Recognising the benefits of reading for older adults reinforces the importance of mental stimulation in healthy ageing. Learning how to combat loneliness in older adults in Derby shows that meaningful connections can be nurtured through simple, creative ideas.

Looking for thoughtful, person-centred home care in Derby?

Whether your family is seeking visiting care, companionship, or support for a relative in Derby, Ashbourne, or South Derbyshire, call our local team on 01332 498 032 or email us: [email protected].