Reading4Ageing
The Local Challenge
Rovereto, like much of Italy, faces the realities of an aging population: more than 30% of residents are over 60, and a significant proportion live alone. Older adults are at risk of loneliness, social isolation, and declining cognitive stimulation, with limited opportunities for structured, inclusive activities that support their well-being. Addressing these challenges requires innovative services that connect cultural life with health, recognizing that tools as simple as books and reading can have profound effects on memory, language, attention, and social connectedness.
The Initiative
Reading4Ageing transforms reading into a form of cultural welfare, using books as a means to promote social, cognitive, and emotional well-being in older adults. Through shared reading sessions in libraries and community spaces, participants engage with fiction, poetry, memoirs, tactile books, and photo books, while also enjoying curated “Bookbags” and home delivery services. Alongside activities for older residents, the initiative provides training for caregivers and cultural professionals, equipping them with tools and case studies to integrate reading into care practices. By combining group activities with personal resources, the project fosters memory, dialogue, and socialisation in an inclusive, supportive environment.
What’s Next?
Meetings in different city venues will extend the library’s reach to those who might not otherwise participate, embedding reading in everyday life. Impact will be measured both for direct beneficiaries—through increased cognitive stimulation, social interaction, and well-being—and for caregivers and professionals, who gain practical skills and awareness of cultural welfare’s benefits. Over time, the initiative hopes to position the library in Rovereto as a central actor in promoting active aging and community resilience.
Contact theeuropechallenge@culturalfoundation.eu if you have any questions or want to be connected with the team behind the project.
