Through reading, caregivers can gain a lot of tips to address the care needs of a loved one recently diagnosed with dementia. This list of books are a free, helpful resource and can provide support in managing your role as a caregiver.
Caring for someone living with dementia may be a long and challenging journey. If your loved one has just been diagnosed with dementia, you may be feeling overwhelmed and unprepared for the changes dementia might bring. Reading can provide a form of resource to equip yourself.
The National Library Board has compiled a list of books on caregiving for persons living with dementia. These books have been written with practical tips and the acquired wisdom of people who have walked this journey as a family caregiver or care professional advising caregivers. All of these books are free to loan from the National Library in the E-book format which you can read almost immediately at your own time online.
Book Recommendations for Caregivers of Persons living with Dementia
Non-Fiction: Memoirs written by Caregivers
It is important to remember that you are not alone on your caregiving journey even when you are the sole family caregiver to a loved one living with dementia. Hence, reading about the different perspectives of other caregivers can help provide comfort and inspiration, and deeper meaning to caregiving. These books can prepare you for changes in the relationship with your loved one and what to expect along the course of a loved one’s prognosis.
by Cathie Borrie (Available as e-book)
“The Long Hello” by Cathie Borrie is a powerful and insightful memoir about caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s. It has won praise from noted writers and Alzheimer’s experts alike, including Maya Angelou and Lisa Genova. The book distills the author’s seven-year experience into a deeply loving portrait that embraces life.
by Jeanette A. Auger and Diane Tedford-Litle (Available as e-book)
“Caregiving for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders” is an insightful book that documents the personal experience of caregivers caring for loved ones with dementia. It covers topics such as behavioural changes, diagnosis, and available resources.
by Amy Newmark, Angela Timashenka Geiger (Available as e-book)
“Chicken Soup for the Soul: Living with Alzheimer’s & Other Dementias” is a source of support and encouragement for caregivers. This joint project with the Alzheimer’s Association is filled with 101 stories of love and lessons from others like you, providing a sense of community throughout your caregiving journey.
by Jann Arden (Available as e-book)
“Feeding My Mother” is a frank, funny, and inspirational account of Jann Arden’s transformation into the primary caregiver for her mother, who has Alzheimer’s. Jann finds peace in caring for her mom, even as her mom slowly becomes a stranger. This book offers inspiration and strength to those dealing with a loved one who is losing it, and is a wonderful example of how to roll with life’s challenges.
Non-Fiction: Guidebooks on Caregiving
Most of the books on this list are written by care professionals experienced in working with people living with dementia, including nurses, doctors and social workers. They are written to provide answers to the concerns caregivers might have, from communication with your loved one to managing symptoms like sundowning, malnutrition and aggression.
by Nancy L. Mace, Peter B. Rabins (Available as e-book)
This classic offers practical advice for managing the challenges of dementia caregiving, providing insights into daily routines and emotional support. The 7th edition is also available as an E-book.
by Laura Wayman (Available as e-book)
This book is a compassionate guidebook that provides practical strategies and techniques for caregivers to connect with individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia, and to provide meaningful care that enhances their quality of life.
by Molly Wisniewski (Available as e-book)
Wisniewski’s comprehensive guidebook is one that offers practical advice and support for caregivers who are caring for a loved one with dementia, while also emphasizing the importance of self-care and providing strategies for maintaining one’s own well-being throughout the caregiving journey.
by Landsverk, MD, Elizabeth (Available as e-book and audiobook)
This book provides succinct advice and strategies for caregivers and family members to help those with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias find moments of joy and overcome challenges by living in the present moment.
by Elizabeth Tierney (Available as e-book)
“Dignifying Dementia” is a touching and insightful read that offers valuable lessons on how to care for someone with dementia. It’s a personal account of the author’s experience caring for her husband, who was diagnosed with dementia in 1997.
by Janet Yagoda Shagam (Available as e-book)
Using both personal narrative and verified information, this book will guide you through the basics of dementia as a brain disorder, its accompanying behaviours, the procedures used to diagnose and stage the disease, and the legal aspects of providing care for someone who has lost mental capacity due to dementia. The author also covers topics not usually included in other books on dementia, writing from personal experience.
by Bernie McCarthy (Available as e-book)
This concise and practical book explains the challenges of communication for people with dementia and provides techniques for verbal and non-verbal communication, as well as strategies for specific day-to-day situations. It’s essential reading for family caregivers, professional care staff, and anyone working with people with dementia.
Special thanks to the National Library Board (NLB) for contributing to the book list.
Additional Resources
3-Part Video Series
Caregiver Conversations
Source: Agency of Integrated Care, Dementia-Friendly Singapore
This series features conversations with Janet Koh, in which she shares her experience with caregiving & useful resources. In Part 1, Janet talks about caring for her mother who lives with dementia. View the rest of the series here.
Living with Dementia: Providing Care
Source: Agency for Integrated Care
Part of a 4-part series, this resource book is designed to provide caregivers with tips on having effective communication with your loved one, how to design a daily routine with engaging activities, and managing dementia as it progresses by stage.
Living with Dementia: Caring for Yourself
Source: Agency for Integrated Care
Part of a 4-part series, this resource book is designed for caregivers to learn more about their role. This includes the importance of and tips on self-care, how to cope with your emotions, caregiver stress, avoiding burnout, as well as how and where to seek help within your home and in the community.
A Caregiver’s Top 20 Questions
Source: Agency for Integrated Care
This document provides answers to frequently asked pre- & post-diagnosis-related questions from caregivers
Directory Listing of Dementia Support and Services
Source: Agency for Integrated Care
This 2-page directory lists all the helplines and support and services such as Community Outreach Teams, Community Intervention Teams, respite care services and caregiver support groups by area.
