Helpful Reading on Alzheimer's Disease
On this page, you will find the following:
You can also find helpful books on various aspects of Alzheimer's disease:
Alzheimer's Disease Research (ADR) Publications
Alzheimer’s Disease Research (ADR), a program of the American Health Assistance Foundation (AHAF) Publications
The following publications are available in English and Spanish:
Care for the Caregiver: Managing Stress
Living with Alzheimer's Disease (Spanish version coming soon)
Safety and the Older Driver
Staying Safe: Wandering & the Alzheimer's Patient
Through Tara’s Eyes: Helping Children Cope with Alzheimer’s Disease
Understanding Alzheimer's Disease: It’s Not Just Forgetfulness
To order publications go to ADR publications or call 1-800-437-2423.
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General Information
Aging With Grace: What the Nun Study Teaches Us About Leading Longer, Healthier, and More Meaningful Lives by David Snowdon, 2002.
Alzheimer’s From the Inside Out by Richard Taylor, 2006.
A collection of 80 short essays gives readers a rare exploration of the world of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.
Into the Mist: When Someone You Love Has Alzheimer’s Disease by Deborah Uetz. Xlibris Corp., 2005
Please Take Me Home Before Dark: One Family’s Journey with Alzheimer’s Disease by Billie J. Pate, Mary Pate Yarnell, Providence House Publishers, 2006.
Provides information, inspiration and support to family members and caring professionals of Alzheimer’s patients (and those with other forms of dementia).
Progress Report on Alzheimer’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center (ADEAR), National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, published annually 1-800-438-4380 or www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/ADProgress2005_2006/
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Biographies
The Caregiver's Choice: Find Strength and Serenity By Changing Your Mind
by Elaine Long, iUniverse Inc., 2008
Uplifting advice presented in a compelling way as it presents the simple truths caregivers need to focus on in order to maintain a peaceful life despite the burden of caring for a loved one who cannot care for themselves. Elaine Long has been there-not once, but twice-and shares her personal experiences as a caregiver both to her mother and husband.
Dancing with Rose: Finding Life in the Land of Alzheimer’s
by Lauren Kessler, Penguin Group (USA) Inc, 2007.
One journalist’s riveting and surprisingly hopeful look at Alzheimer’s, the disease that claimed her mother’s life.
Don't Eat the Elephants
by Patricia H. Miller, Pocahontas Press, Inc., 2006.
A woman's account of her husband's struggle with Alzheimer's and the affect it had on their family.
The Long Goodbye
by Patti Davis, Random House, 2004.
Ronald Reagan's daughter writes with a moving openness about losing her father to Alzheimer's disease.
The Long Good Night: My Father's Journey into Alzheimer's
by Daphne Simpkins, Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2004.
A powerful portrait of a close family whose bonds are strained but ultimately strengthened by the challenge of caring for the author’s father.
Losing My Mind: An Intimate Look at Life with Alzheimer's
by Thomas DeBaggio, New York, NY: The Free Press/Simon & Schuster, 2002.
A first-person account of the author's early experience with Alzheimer's disease and its effect on his life and his family.
Measure of the Heart: A Father's Alzheimer's, A Daughter's Return
by Mary Ellen Geist, Springboard Press, 2008
Mary Ellen Geist leaves her job as a CBS Radio anchor to return home to Michigan when her father's Alzheimer's got to be too much for her mother to shoulder alone. She chose to live her life by a different set of priorities: to be guided by her heart, not by outside accomplishment and recognition.
Mothering Mother: A Daughter’s Humorous and Heartbreaking Memoir by Carol D. O’Dell, Kunati Inc., 2007.
Chronicles the author's decision not to put her mother, who has Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, in "one of those homes" and relays the far-reaching consequences this choice had on her entire family.
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Caregiving
36-Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for People with Alzheimer’s Disease, Other Dementias, and Memory Loss in Later Life by Nancy Mace, Peter V. Rabins, 4th Edition, Johns Hopkins University Press, 2006.
Updated classic family guide to caring for people with Alzheimer's and other dementias.
Alzheimer's Activities: Hundreds of Activities for Men and Women with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders by B.J. Fitzray, Windsor, CA: Rayve Productions, 2001.
Includes creative ideas for special occasion and everyday activities, caregiver's anecdotes, helpful tips and encouragement.
Alzheimer’s Disease: The Dignity Within: A Handbook for Caregivers, Family, and Friends by Patricia R. Callone, Barbara C. Vasiloff, Roger A. Brumback, Janaan Manternach, and Connie Kudlacek, New York, NY: Demos Medical Publishing, LLC, 2006.
Caregivers will be better equipped to nurture the dignity within people living with Alzheimer's and feel more confident doing so.
A Caregiver's Guide to Alzheimer's Disease: 300 Tips for Making Life Easier
by Patricia R. Callone, Barbara C. Vasiloff, Roger A. Brumback, Janaan Manternach, and Connie Kudlacek, New York, NY: Demos Medical Publishing, LLC, 2006.
Offers pointers and guidelines for focusing on the capabilities that remain instead of those that have been lost.
Creating Moments of Joy for the Person with Alzheimer's or Dementia: A Journal for Caregivers by Jolene Brackey, 4th Edition, Purdue University Press, 2007.
Provides advice on handling the challenges of caregiving and effectively coping with dementia.
A Dignified Life: The Best Friend’s Approach to Alzheimer’s Care, A Guide for Family Caregivers by David Troxel, 2002.
Provides a complete model for the Best Friends method of care built around creative and effective communication and meaningful activities.
Learning to Speak Alzheimer's: A Groundbreaking Approach for Everyone Dealing with the Disease by Joanne Koenig Coste, New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004.
Emphasizes validation of patient feelings and finding joy with the patient.
Management of Challenging Behaviors in Dementia
by Ellen K. Mahoney, Ladislav Volicer, Ann C. Hurley, Boston, MA: Health Professions Press, 1st edition, 2000.
Presents a care philosophy describing proven ways to reduce or eliminate challenging behaviors by addressing their underlying causes.
There's Still a Person in There: The Complete Guide to Treating and Coping with Alzheimer's by Michael Castleman, Dolores Gallagher-Thompson, and Matthew Naythons, Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 2000.
Presents a new understanding of Alzheimer's that is optimistic, courageous and comforting.
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For Families
Singing with Momma Lou by Linda Jacobs Altman, Lee and Low Books Inc., 2002.
Helps with understanding aging and intergenerational relationships.
What’s Happening with Grandpa? By Marie Shriver, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2004.
Offers a touching, optimistic story that encourages awareness, acceptance and dialogue with family and friends.
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Death and Dying
Understanding Dying, Death & Bereavement by Michael R. Leming and George Dickenson, 6th Edition, Thomas Wadsworth, 2006.
Updated edition remains solidly grounded in theory and research, but places greater emphasis on helping the individual cope with death and dying.
When the Dying Speak: How to Listen & Learn from Those Facing Death by Ronald Wooten-Green, Loyola Press, 2002.
Gives a glimpse of the spiritual reality known only by those nearing death.
Last Reviewed On: 12/16/09
