"She Can't Read"
Are You Sure?
​​We hear it all the time.​
“My mother is too confused to read.”
“He used to love books…but not anymore.”
“I hand her a newspaper; she just stares at it.”
It’s heartbreaking. Reading was once comfort for so many. It is often part of a person's identity and a great source of joy.
Here’s what 30+ years of research and real-world experience have taught us: Many people living with dementia can still read.​ We’ve just been offering the wrong tools. Traditional books and newspapers weren't designed for changing cognition.
When text feels crowded, sentences run long, and readers are expected to remember names or details from one page to the next, reading can quickly shift from something enjoyable to something exhausting.
CONNECT's Reading Materials help to restore the joy of reading for persons living with dementia through clinically proven design and formatting, a memory-friendly writing style, and thoughtfully developed techniques that support success.​
NOTE: When you click the button, the booklet will download as a PDF
What is the CONNECT Reading Library?
The CONNECT Reading Library is a collection of digital books designed to support meaningful engagement, reduce social isolation, & enhance quality of life. The subscription package includes two types of curated materials: Viva Stories (ideal for individuals in the mid stages of dementia) and Insight Articles (ideal for persons who are in the earlier stages of cognitive change). All of the stories are available in digital format or as downloadable PDFs.
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Subscriptions Include
✔ Over 500 stories with discussion questions
✔ New content added monthly
✔ Quick Start tutorials
✔ FREE samples of 30 other CONNECT activities
How Can It Be Used?​
✔ View digitally on a tablet, computer, or TV
✔ Great for groups or one-on-one
✔ Perfect for use at home or in a community
Insight Articles & Viva Stories
Two Research-Based Reading Experiences. One Shared Mission.
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Both Insight Articles and Viva Stories were developed through NIH-funded research and decades of real-world dementia care experience. Each format is intentionally designed to engage persons living with dementia in meaningful, dignified ways.​
How Are They Similar?
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Adult-appropriate, engaging topics
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Created specifically for persons living with dementia
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Built-in discussion questions to spark connection
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Large font, easy-to-read formatting
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Downloadable PDFs or digital format
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Suitable for one-to-one and/or group engagement
How Are They Different?
Insight Articles​
Ideal for early-stage dementia
This format works well for individuals who still enjoy a flowing reading experience but benefit from thoughtful adaptations.
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8–10 page booklets focused on a single topic
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Simple, logical progression from page to page
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Large, easy-to-read font
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Discussion questions integrated within the article
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Opportunity to learn about something in relatively significant detail​
NOTE: When you click the button, the booklet will download as a PDF
Insight Article, California Gold Rush
Viva Stories
Ideal for middle-stage dementia
A highly supportive reading experience that maximizes cognitive accessibility.
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22–25 page booklets
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No story to follow — every page stands completely on its own
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Extra-large font for enhanced readability
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Discussion questions on a separate page to support focus
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The format ensures that meaningful engagement remains possible even as cognitive challenges increase
Viva Story, American Birds
NOTE: When you click the button, the booklet will download as a PDF
The Power of Reading
Reading remains one of the most powerful—yet often underestimated—pathways to connection, dignity, and cognitive engagement for people living with dementia.
While memory, attention, and processing speed may change over time, the procedural skill of reading is frequently preserved well into the disease journey.
Unfortunately, many individuals stop reading—not because they lose the ability entirely, but because traditional books, newspapers, and magazines become visually dense and cognitively overwhelming.
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CONNECT reading materials are different. Clinically tested and intentionally designed for success, they incorporate larger fonts, simplified structure, and meaningful, adult-centered content. These thoughtful adaptations reduce frustration and support comprehension.
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As a result, individuals can continue to experience the joy, autonomy, and social connection that reading provides—at every stage of cognitive change.
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Engaging Reading Materials for Every Interest
Everyone has different passions—some find joy in gardening, others love classic films. Maybe you’re a baseball fan, while someone else is captivated by history. CONNECT's reading materials embrace these unique interests with a rich collection of reading materials designed to engage and inspire. ​
With 500+ booklets and new content released monthly, there’s always something new to explore. Whether in a care community or at home, our booklets encourage meaningful conversations, fond memories, and the excitement of discovering new favorites.
Subscription and Pricing Details
CONNECT Reading Library Subscriptions
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Access to: Viva Stories (middle stage) & Insight Articles (early stage)​
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​500+ guided reading & discussion booklets
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20 FREE Samples of 11 other CONNECT activities
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Available in printable or digital format​​
Save 14% Off the Regular Price
Save 31% Over Monthly Billing!
Special Pricing Through 3/31/26
Rate Lock for 1 Year