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The personal stories of others can provide affirmation and perspective for our own lives. This article lists free books available on loan that can support you in your journey with dementia.
If you have recently been diagnosed with dementia, you may wonder what changes the diagnosis might bring to your life. Many persons with dementia have written books on their lives, which have inspired others as stories of resilience.
All of these books are free to loan in the E-book format from the National Library Board, and you can read them almost immediately at your own time online.
Book Recommendations for Persons living with Dementia
Non-Fiction: Memoirs written by Persons Living with Dementia
Memoirs offer the insight of persons living with dementia who have walked the journey with their friends and family. It can help provide some assurance that you are not alone in your experience, and prepare you for some changes you might observe.
by Wendy Mitchell (Available as e-book)
A powerful memoir that chronicles the journey of by Wendy Mitchell, a former NHS manager diagnosed with early-onset dementia, and how she adapted to life with the condition and the challenges she faced along the way.
by Christine Bryden (Available as e-book)
This is an inspiring memoir by Christine Bryden, a dementia advocate and survivor. Christine shares her personal journey of living positively with the condition and offers practical advice on how to maintain a fulfilling life despite the challenges of dementia.
by Wendy Mitchell (Available as e-book and audiobook)
This heartfelt book by Wendy Mitchell, a person living with dementia, sheds light on the realities of the condition and provides valuable insights on how to support and care for those affected by it.
by Gerda Saunders (Available as e-book)
“Memory’s Last Breath” is a beautifully written memoir that offers an intimate and revealing account of living with dementia. Gerda Saunders shares her personal experiences of coping with the complications of losing short-term memory, while also embarking on a personal investigation of the brain and its mysteries.
by Dale Bredesen (Available as e-book)
For persons receiving treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease as well as their family members, this book offers hope and comfort. It features first-person stories of patients who recovered life from Alzheimer’s Disease and how they did it, with commentary from Dr. Dale Bredesen to help readers find tips and tricks that might help them as well.
Non-Fiction: Guides on Living Well with Dementia
Written by care professionals who work with people living with dementia, these guides are written to provide advice for some questions you might have about your symptoms, relationships, and how to live a life well-lived despite dementia.
by Lisa Snyder (Available as e-book)
This book provides a practical guide on coping with the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, managing symptoms, finding meaningful activity, planning for the future, maintaining relationships, and participating in research. It empowers the person with Alzheimer’s to move forward in life despite the challenges of the diagnosis.
by Brian Draper (Available as e-book)
This comprehensive guide offers practical advice on drug treatments, complementary therapies, and care options for those struggling with a diagnosis of dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. With a down-to-earth approach, it’s an invaluable resource for anyone worried about the effects of aging on the mind.
Fiction: Stories about Dementia
These books are not based on real persons or events, but have been well-received by members of public and caregivers for their portrayal of life with dementia and the message of hope they promote. These books have been adapted into films and may serve as an introduction for family of persons living with dementia to understand the condition.
by Lisa Genova (Available as e-book)
Alice Howland, a successful Harvard professor with a happy family life, begins to experience forgetfulness and confusion. She is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease, and as her memory fades, she fights to maintain her independence and sense of self. This New York Times bestseller is a poignant and detailed portrayal of the experience of losing one’s mind, and has been adapted into a major motion picture.
by Michael Zadoorian (Available as e-book and audiobook)
“The Leisure Seeker” by Michael Zadoorian is a heartwarming tale of an elderly couple, Ella and John Robinas, who embark on a cross-country journey in their RV, determined to live their final days on their own terms. Despite Ella’s cancer and John’s Alzheimer’s, they set out on a forbidden vacation, leaving behind their adult children and doctors. This unforgettable journey of rediscovery has been adapted into a major motion picture starring Helen Mirren and Donald Sutherland.
Special thanks to the National Library Board (NLB) for contributing to the book list.
Additional Resources
Archives Unlocked: Oral History and Reminiscence Work By Irene Lim and Patricia Lee
Source: National Archives of Singapore
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Oral History Centre of Singapore, together with the Singapore University of Social Sciences and Dementia Singapore, embarked on a meaningful journey to document the stories of eight persons living with dementia and their caregivers. The act of reminiscing is used to promote the wellbeing of the seniors. Through adapting oral history methodology, these seniors are given the space to recollect, reflect, tell and record their days of growing up in Singapore.
Spark Conversations: A Journal of Shared Memories
Source: Agency for Integrated Care
This journal can serve as a starting point for you to share your life story and memories with younger members in your family. It includes questions and cards for a meaningful conversation between youths and seniors.
