5 Recommended Books for Those Living with Dementia

Whether you or a loved one have been diagnosed with dementia, it’s inevitable that you will find yourself having to make changes to your day-to-day life. Learning how to live as happily and independently as possible is vital not only for those living with dementia, but for their family members and carers also.

Fortunately, there are a number of books, recommended by the Alzheimer’s Association and other organisations dedicated to helping those with dementia, which offer expert advice on how to adjust.

1) A Dignified Life by Virginia Bell and David Troxel

Specifically a guide for the family caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s, A Dignified Life was originally published in 2002, with an expanded edition being released in 2012. It provides practical advice and problem solving tips for caregivers, but also offers some insight into the experience of dementia, allowing family members to understand the illness from their loved one’s point of view.

2) Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias by Nataly Rubinstein

Though a little bit more expensive than Bell and Troxel’s book (though it is available at a reasonable price on Kindle), this is another work aimed mainly at caregivers. Rubinstein is an experienced social worker who has specialised in dementia care. This excellent, easy-to-read book is based on her experiences not only from her career but also as a caregiver for her own parents, giving it an open, honest and personal quality.

3) Chicken Soup for the Soul by Amy Newmark and Angela Timashenka Geiger

One of the most common problems experienced by family members – and particularly partners and spouses – of those living with Alzheimer’s is a sense of loneliness, or of being on your own in tackling the day-to-day challenges that arise. Chicken Soup for the Soul gathers together 101 stories from caregivers about their own experiences, providing both advice and comfort in difficult times.

4) Connecting the Dots by Judith London

Author Judith London has spent more than 20 years working with Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. In that time, much of her study has focused on the difficulties that people with Alzheimer’s often have with expressing themselves and communicating their feelings to others. Her pioneering work has enabled her to provide caregivers and family members with practical advice on how to “connect the dots” and understand their loved ones more clearly.

5) Living Your Best with Early-Stage Alzheimer’s by Lisa Snyder

An increasing number of Alzheimer’s diagnoses happen at the earlier stages of the disease. While not necessarily a comfort to those living with it or those around them, an early diagnosis does allow you to plan ahead, and recent developments in medication can allow those with Alzheimer’s to enjoy many years with relatively mild symptoms. Snyder’s book is an excellent read for those who have been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s, providing advice on how to manage symptoms, plan for the future and manage relationships with your nearest and dearest.