Using Podcasts & Audiobooks to Inform & Entertain Seniors

Technology has come a long way since the days of paperback books. Newer technology has led to audiobooks and podcasts, which make the written word come alive, especially for people who struggle with vision loss or need help accessing their favorite books. Learn how older communities in the Southeast Oklahoma City region can benefit from audiobooks and podcasts and where they can explore these audible resources.

How Do Seniors Benefit from Podcasts and Audiobooks?

Seniors benefit from podcasts and audiobooks the same way anyone listening to them can. The sharing of knowledge lies at the core of many podcasts, which enhance a person’s cognitive function and memory. Learning something new can also stimulate their curiosity and spur them to explore new topics.

In a similar vein, podcasts and audiobooks can also curb the loneliness and boredom that an elderly loved one may be experiencing. Older people may simply appreciate the sound of another person’s voice. They can also connect with narrators and characters if they lack social interaction in their own lives.

Podcasts and audiobooks provide this demographic with mobile entertainment they can take almost anywhere, from the park to a bus ride. However, individuals with physical limitations can enjoy audiobooks and podcasts from the comfort of their own homes. These audible alternatives to paperbacks or hardback books can also prove beneficial for folks who have trouble seeing or holding up a physical book.

Senior-Friendly Podcasts to Explore

Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, and YouTube offer listeners a wide variety of podcasts and audiobooks to choose from. If you’re looking for a few podcast ideas, the following are geared specifically toward seniors:

• Clear+Vivid: Hosted by Alan Alda, this podcast features guests who talk about their lives.
• Your Grandparents Did What?: Explore the history of parenting, including some mature topics, as you journey through the evolution of parenthood.
• The Moth: This podcast is great if you enjoy a storytelling element that changes with every episode.
• Baby Boomer Tales: Broken into 15-minute, bite-size snippets, these podcasts are hosted by Jim Fulk.
• The Perfect Scam: If you like crime, check out this podcast, which helps educate seniors on how to avoid becoming a victim of various scams.
• Retirement Wisdom: Discover what life looks like after retirement with discussions of everyday decisions in this podcast.

Listeners can also skip between podcasts to find the one that best suits their tastes. Consulting with friends and family members about their preferences will help them find interesting podcasts that keep them listening.

Where Seniors Can Get Free Audiobooks

Seniors can find free audiobooks from several resources, the most accessible of which is likely their local public library. Libby is a popular service offered through public libraries that enables you to check out audiobooks using your regular library card. You can search for audiobooks on Libby through the normal library catalog.

In addition, Project Gutenberg is a nonprofit source that’s great for finding the classics. LibriVox is another popular online resource that you can use to download audiobooks onto your desktop and play them from there. Moreover, Free Classic Audiobooks is great for people less familiar with technology because it incorporates a simple design and allows intuitive access to MP3 and M4B formats.

Seniors can find trending audiobooks through Digital Book, as well. These free audiobook resources are available in 12 languages, which can help people who are practicing their language-learning skills. One other option: OverDrive is similar to Libby and focuses on both classic and contemporary works.

The Role of Technology in Senior Home Care

One of the many benefits of hiring a professional caregiver is that they can show their older clients how technology can help enrich their lives through podcasts and audiobooks. If you’d like to learn more about our senior home care services, contact us or call us at 405-259-9155 to schedule a consultation. Our care staff welcomes the chance to answer your questions and welcome you to the Visiting Angels SE-OKC family!