Free, Narrated Stories for Senior Living
Dementia-friendly narrated stories for loved ones or residents who struggle with long audiobooks.
Where To Listen
Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Audible, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio and Podbean.
Or simply Google "ClearTales" and press play.
New Episodes Published Weekly.
How We Are Different
How ClearTales Is Different From Audiobooks
Our stories are written, edited and produced for a senior adult listener in mind:
- Designed for those challenged with sustained attention.
- The stories, chapters and episodes are short.
- Word choice is easy to understand.
- Stories are easy to follow, with limited number of characters to follow.
Designed For Seniors
- Stories are adult oriented. They do not “talk-down” to the listening audience.
- These are not for children, nor are they narrated like children books.
- Chapters are typically 10 - 15 minutes in length.
- Every chapter has a widely recognized music compositon that serves as an enjoyable, calming interlude.
Dementia-Friendly
- The stories are easy to follow, and lack complexity.
- The language is common and understandable.
- Occastional atmospheric music during the narration enhances engagement.
- Narrations are recorded at a slower speed for easy story comprehension.
- Stories are short, while brief novels can contain up to 20 chapters that are typically each 10 - 15 minutes in length.
- For books with several chapters, brief summaries are often provided throughout.
- Every chapter ends with a familiar, calming classical piano composition.
- Story scenes and details often focus on site, sound, smell and feeling. These universal sensations can bring back memories for the listener.
- At the end of many chapters, a brief session of questions asks the reader about familiar sensations and memories as further engagement.
Best Time To Listen
ClearTales is ideal for anytime caregivers or seniors would like an engaging moment of story telling that can bring respite to their day:
- As a mid-morning activity.
- After-lunch lull activity.
- A calming activity in the evening.
- Anytime a caregiver could use a moment to breath.
Is ClearTales Free
Yes. The stories are published free of cost to popular podcast platforms Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Audible, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio and Podbean.
Simple Google "ClearTales" and press PLAY.
A Caregiver Resource
ClearTales provides the caregiver with a consistent content tool for a loved one or resident, and delivers 10-20 minutes of respite, calm and entertainment. This was the founding intent of the service and its content—a tool for caregivers and a simple pleasure for listeners. It is a free channel for anyone that enjoys hearing a story, without requiring a long attention span.
About
I had a childhood buddy that developed early onset Lewy Body Dementia....
On a visit with him, it was clear that his wife, his sole caregiver, could use a break from the constant on-duty attention needed..even if only for 30 minutes.
So I thought, "a dementia-friendly audio book would help her some." But I couldn’t find one. So I wrote and recorded one for her to use. That became ClearTales.
My name is Richard Carlton London, and I’m the founder, contributor and producer of ClearTales. Please spread the word..so that others may benefit from this free service.