There are a variety of materials that can help you provide loving care to a loved one or family member with dementia. Many are free or can be downloaded here. Others are provided at cost, and some are generally available at a library or bookstore.
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Books for those caring for a loved one with dementia. They are available at most libraries and bookstores.
by J. Graff, MD & A. Lunde, MA
This book offers an update on what experts know about Alzheimer’s and related dementias, including the latest research into treatment and prevention, ways to live well with dementia, and recommendations for people who care for someone with dementia.
By Jan Dougherty, MS, RN, FAAN
A diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer's disease doesn't mean you have to give up everything you love. Whether visiting family and friends or venturing to a new location for fun, it's packed with practical tips and strategies that will remove many of the stressors and help travelers know what to expect before, during, and after a trip.
By Jolene Brackey
Target Audience: Family caregivers
This book gives quick and practical assistance to caregivers to help them discover new ways to understand what the person with dementia is trying to communicate through actions and words. The author presents new ways of looking at common situations that are often viewed in a negative context. She provides creative strategies to make a negative situation better.
By G. Allen Powers, MD
Target Audience: Family and professional dementia care partners
Dr. Powers presents an enlightened and evidence-based approach to care practices that honor persons with dementia and optimize well-being. Using an experiential approach, Dr. Powers offers practical tips in an easy to understand manner to help care partners interpret common behavioral expressions and to meaningfully engage with persons with dementia.
By Paula Boss, PHD
Dr. Boss outlines seven guidelines to stay resilient while caring for someone who has dementia. She discusses the meaning of relationships with individuals who are cognitively impaired and offers approaches to understand and cope with the emotional strain of care-giving. Dr. Boss shows a way to embrace rather than resist the ambiguity in relationships with someone who is living with dementia.
By G. Allen Powers
An eye-opening exploration of how to improve the lives of people with dementia and those who care for them. From the internationally acclaimed author of the groundbreaking and award-winning book Dementia Beyond Drugs.
By Virginia Bell and David Troxel
Target Audience: Family caregivers
Illustrated through real, heartfelt stories, A Dignified Life shows how the Best Friends method can bring dignity to the lives of those who have Alzheimer's disease and those who care for them. The book describes how families can work together to create effective communication and meaningful activities for the person with dementia.
By Richard Taylor, Ph. D.
Target Audience: Persons with dementia, family and professional caregivers
This is an insightful collection of essays written by Dr. Richard Taylor about his personal experiences living with early onset Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Taylor shares his perspectives on life and relationships redefined by a dementia diagnosis. It is a remarkable account illuminating a wise, determined and courageous man's journey through the changes and challenges of Alzheimer's disease.
By Daniel Kuhn and Jane Verity
Target Audience: Family and professional caregivers
Kuhn and Verity illustrate how everyday challenges in caregiving can evolve into opportunities that celebrate remaining abilities and uphold the dignity of persons with dementia. Through simple, practical and thoughtful examples, The Art of Dementia Care awakens readers to the powerful realization "that you hold the key to the quality of someone else's life."
By Nancy Pierce
Target Audience: Family and professional caregivers
Hidden potential can be discovered when we consciously focus on the person's remaining abilities instead of his or her deficits. Through simple steps and inspiring case studies, Pierce demonstrates how we can help persons with dementia transcend the seeming boundaries of the disease to experience profound moments of beauty, meaning, dignity, laughter and love.
By Carol Bowlby Sifton
Target Audience: Family and Professional Caregivers
Aptly titled, this is an excellent roadmap with straightforward advice on how to care for persons with dementia.
By Anne Robinson, Beth Spencer and Laurie White
Target Audience: Family and professional caregivers
Why challenging behaviors occur in people with dementia is explained, along with practical coping strategies for responding to situations such as agitation, wandering, incontinence, and resistance to care. These suggestions have been compiled from family caregivers, the Alzheimer's Association newsletters, books and journal articles.
By Karen Stobbe
Target Audience: Family caregivers
Written by a former caregiver, this book offers facts and insights on the topic of Alzheimer's disease. Stobbe tells stories and jokes to find the humor in successful caregiving. She writes: "Sometimes life is hard. Caring for another person is not easy. But everyone I spoke with - no matter what kind of caregiving they do - all agreed you have to find your sense of humor and that sometimes... ya gotta laugh."
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