Canada: Audio Bible Combats Loneliness

How can elderly people with visual difficulties find access to the Bible? The MegaVoice audio Bible is a “lifesaver” for many seniors in Canada.

Physical limitations, poor eyesight, dementia and loneliness: for many elderly people, these and similar challenges are part of everyday life. While some of them are cared for at home by their family, the situation is even more difficult for people in nursing homes, Nelly Safari explains in an interview. She is the Vice President of Scripture Resources at the Canadian Bible Society.

“During the Covid-19 pandemic, we had strict protective regulations in Canada, especially in nursing homes,” she says. “Seniors were not allowed to receive visits from their family. They were lonely – it was very, very sad to see. So we started to think about it: How can we help these poor people?”

Audio Bibles for vulnerable elderly

Research has shown that many elderly people lack a sense of purpose in life, Safari explains: “They feel useless and wonder why they are here. Isolation is cruel. But when they look into the Bible, they see the value they have in God’s eyes.” Giving socially isolated seniors access to the Bible matters deeply to the Canadian Bible Society.

Since 2020, they have partnered with the U.S. company MegaVoice to distribute the devices bearing the same name. The “world’s first digital audio Bible” looks like an MP3 player, is solar-powered and can be operated with just a few buttons. Since the start of the project, more than 7,000 MegaVoice devices have been financed by donations and distributed to vulnerable seniors in private care homes.

“A life-saver”

Seniors can choose from two different programs: In addition to the classic audio Bible, a digital booklet called “Words of Comfort” is saved on the devices. This booklet contains selected encouraging Bible verses that are played alternately with familiar Christian hymns. “Music is good for people with dementia,” Safari explains. “It soothes their pain. Most of the seniors who want to listen to the audio Bible are Christians. They recognize the songs and remember the times when they could still go to church and sing there. Sometimes caretakers tell us that the seniors listen to the Words of Comfort and sing along in their room.”

The reactions to MegaVoice have been very positive so far: “The device is a lifesaver. The care homes welcomed us with open arms when we approached them during the pandemic. It’s a relief for everyone – both the elderly and their caretakers.” Some of them were skeptical at first – “but when they saw the positive impact of the audio Bibles, they gave up all doubt.”

The positive response has inspired the Canadian Bible Society to develop further projects: “We are currently carrying out pilot projects with the devices in prisons,” reports Safari. Instead of hymns, modern songs with Christian lyrics are being used. However, the effects are also positive: “It seems to be working well.”

This article was originally published on Jesus.de.

Learn more about CBS’ vulnerable elderly program: CANADA: Scriptures for Vulnerable Elderly – Canadian Bible Society