Reading Well Books on Prescription for dementia recommends books you might find helpful if you have dementia, are caring for someone with dementia, or would like to find out more about the condition.
Information and advice
A Pocket Guide to Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias, by James Warner & Nori Graham
“If you or a loved one are worried about Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia, this pocket guide will help you to better understand the conditions, and how they are diagnosed and treated. Written by leading dementia experts, this book provides clear and concise information on: symptoms; diagnosis and treatments; getting help and support; tips for people living with dementia; advice for carers.”
About Dementia: for people with learning disabilities, by Karen Dodd, Vicky Turk & Michelle Christmas
“This title looks specifically at the challenges that people with learning disabilities who develop dementia may face.”
Coping with Memory Problems, by Dr Sallie Baxendale
“We all do it: forget where we put the car keys (or the car) or whether we locked the back door. Missed appointments, shopping we came home without, forgetting what we were about to say - all may make us question our mental processes. While ageing can be a factor, however, other things can cause your memory to let you down, including stress, depression, illness and some prescription medications. This book describes the various conditions that lead to it, and how to treat it.”
ABC of Dementia, by Bernard Coope & Felicity Richards (eds.)
“ABC of Dementia is a practical guide to help healthcare professionals develop knowledge, skills, confidence and an understanding of dementia, in order to support those with dementia to live well.”
Introduction to the Psychology of Ageing for non-specialists, by Ian Stuart-Hamilton
“A complete primer for non-specialists on the psychology of ageing, this accessible and comprehensive book explains the key issues clearly and concisely. Beginning with explanations of ageing, life expectancy and demographics, it goes on to discuss the aspects of ageing that have the most impact on people’s lives.”
Grandma, by Jessica Shepherd
“More and more children are encountering dementia and its effects on their families. This touching story, told in Oscar’s own words, is a positive and practical tale about the experience. The factual page about dementia helps children talk about their feelings and find new ways to enjoy the changing relationship.”
Alzheimer’s and other dementias: answers at your fingertips, by Harry Cayton, Nori Graham & Dr James Warner
“This is a comprehensive questions and answer guide to understanding Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. It provides positive, practical advice for carers on how to cope with the daily problems of dementia, and advice on legal and financial implications.”
Living well with dementia
First Steps to Living with Dementia, by Simon Atkins
“Thousands suffer from dementia. There is a clear need for better understanding of the condition, both for those who suffer from it and for those around them - to be aware of what it may mean and to know what can be done to improve the mental health of sufferers. This book provides an easy and accessible introduction.”
Various ‘in pictures’ reminiscence titles by Helen Bate
We have a whole range of photographic titles to help people with dementia remember and reminisce about their lives. Simply search our catalogue for Helen Bate in pictures.
Chocolate Rain: 100 ideas for a creative approach to activities in dementia care, by Sarah Zoutewelle
“Chocolate Rain shows how to apply creativity in order to reach the person behind the dementia and to approach them as an equal creative companion in discovering the best activities for them. This book is unique in the field not only because it includes more than 100 successfully tested ideas for a wide range of new activities, but it also includes one of the first creative manuals written specifically for caregivers.”
Dementia Positive by John Killick
“This thought-provoking book challenges the assumptions that we are to remain helpless when concerned with dementia, incorporating interviews and opinions from those with the disease and their carers.”
Hearing the Person with Dementia: person-centred approaches to communication for families and caregivers, by Bernie McCarthy
“Written with both family and professional carers in mind, this book clearly explains what happens to communication as dementia progresses, how this may affect an individual’s memory, language and senses, and how carers might need to adapt their approach as a result.”
Support for relatives and carers
And Still the Music Plays: stories of people with dementia, by Graham Stokes
“Storytelling is the oldest and perhaps the best way of learning known to humans. Using 22 compelling stories, clinical psychologist Graham Stokes draws on his memories of people with dementia he has met to bring us all a greater understanding of the condition and why some behave in the way they do. Often the tales that are told are stories within stories.”
Seeing Beyond Dementia: a handbook for carers with English as a second language, by Rita Salomon
“This guide is specifically designed for dementia carers with English as a second language. It is a concise compendium of current thinking on person-centred dementia care that features a sample vocabulary and sentences ideal for working specifically with dementia patients. It focuses on the importance of good day-to-day communication skills and positive interaction between patients and carers during different activities.
“Whether used as a self-study aid or alongside any of the available training courses, it is a must for all carers with English as a second language working in care homes, hospitals, hospices, home support or any other supporting environment.”
Dementia: support for family and friends, by Dave Pulsford & Rachel Thompson
“This book is ideal for anyone with a friend or relative with dementia. It covers the latest developments in terms of policy, debates and approaches to care, has detailed reference to UK government guidance, and features the voices of people with dementia.”
Can I Tell You About Dementia? A guide for family, friends and carers, by Jude Welton & Jane Telford
“Meet Jack - an older man with dementia. Jack invites readers to learn about dementia from his perspective, helping them to understand the challenges faced by someone with dementia and the changes it causes to memory, communication and behaviour.”
When Someone You Love Has Dementia, by Susan Elliot-Wright
“For individual carers without enough support, having a loved one with dementia often remains challenging. This text looks at the practicalities and relationships.”
Personal stories
But Then Something Happened: a story of everyday dementia, by Chris Carling
“The story of a family hit by a double dose of dementia. Mum gets Alzheimer’s, Dad vascular dementia. The focus is on relationships: what happens to them as a couple, as parents, and on the family’s emotional journey. This book depicts dementia as a phase of life lived by both sufferers and carers, with laughter as well as tears.”
Still Alice, by Lisa Genova
“Alice Howland is proud of the life she worked so hard to build. A Harvard professor, she has a successful husband and three grown children. She soon finds herself in the rapidly downward spiral of Alzheimer’s Disease. Her short-term memory may be hanging on by a couple of frayed threads, but she is still Alice.”
Losing Clive to Younger Onset Dementia: one family’s story, by Helen Beaumont
“Clive Beaumont was diagnosed with early onset dementia at age 45. Clive’s wife, Helen, tells of how she and the rest of the family made it through the next six years until Clive died.”
Dancing with Dementia: my story of living positively with dementia, by Christine Bryden
“Christine Bryden was diagnosed with dementia at the age of 46. This book relates her experiences of living with the condition, exploring the effects of memory problems, loss of independence, difficulties in communication & the exhaustion of coping with simple tasks.”
Dear Dementia: the laughter and the tears, by Ian Donaghy
“Using over 100 illustrations and captions, Ian Donaghy captures the emotion and the reality of living with dementia. He has a message for all those touched by dementia - those living with dementia, their carers and all professional staff.”
The Little Girl in the Radiator: Mum, Alzheimer’s and me, by Martin Slevin
“A touching tale of love, loss and family, The Little Girl in the Radiator is the story of a man’s struggle to care for his mother after her diagnosis with Alzheimer’s. Moving back home to care for her, one question plagues Martin - who is the little girl in the radiator who his mum has conversations with?”
Telling Tales About Dementia: experiences of caring, by Lucy Whitman (ed.)
“Here, 30 carers of different ages, backgrounds and circumstances share their experiences of looking after a parent, partner or friend with dementia.”