Why Do Adults With MCI Stop Reading?
MCI doesn’t usually take away your ability to read, but it can change how much focus and memory reading takes, says Dr. Wodushek.
A few different factors are thought to contribute to reading challenges when you have MCI, including:
Cognitive Changes “Memory problems, like losing track of characters, are the most common complaint,” says Wodushek. Trouble with attention, like losing focus and having to reread because you’re not sure how much you absorbed are also issues, he says.
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Environmental Factors Your surroundings matter more than you might expect, says Wodushek. A quiet space without a lot of visual distraction can make it easier to stay focused, and so setting aside a specific block of time for reading rather than fitting it in between other things can help, he says.
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A less-common type of MCI, called posterior cortical atrophy, affects how the brain processes visual information rather than memory, says Wodushek. People with this type sometimes do better with smaller print rather than larger print, the opposite of what you’d expect, he says.
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