Books About Alzheimer's and Dementia: 12 Great Reads
Dementia is an umbrella term for disorders involving memory loss and altered decision-making, such as Alzheimer’s disease. These incurable conditions affect an estimated 5 million Americans aged 65 and up, and twice as many women as men.
Although these disorders are more common in older people, they aren’t a normal part of aging: People with Alzheimer’s struggle severely with communication, attention, and other basic cognitive skills, impairing their ability to function normally. Patients typically need assistance from a caregiver, especially as their disease progresses. Often, this responsibility falls on their partner and/or family members, who experience their own emotional challenges as they watch someone they love lose their memories.
Coping with dementia can be difficult, but arming yourself with up-to-date information can help. And there’s reason to have hope: Research now indicates that certain lifestyle changes can help reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
Below, we’ve rounded up 12 books about dementia disorders — from essential caretaking guidebooks, to prevention overviews, to moving memoirs — that will deepen your understanding. Whether you were just diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, have spent years caring for a loved one with dementia, or simply want to learn more about these complex diseases, these essential reads can help.
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‘Travelers to Unimaginable Lands’ by Dasha Kiper
The former consulting clinical director of support groups at The CaringKind, Dasha Kiper is an experienced counselor for people with dementia and their loved ones. In Travelers to Unimaginable Lands, she explores the impact of caring for a dementia patient, combining real-life case studies with robust neurological research. It’s an unflinching but deeply compassionate portrait of the plight of caregiving, and the toll it can take on relationships.
'Travelers to Unimaginable Lands'
‘Living in the Moment’ by Elizabeth Landsverk with Heather Millar
Billed as the What to Expect When You’re Expecting for dementia disorders, Living in the Moment is a comprehensive guide to navigating everyday difficulties for both patients and caregivers. Author Dr. Elizabeth Landsverk is the founder of ElderConsult Geriatric Medicine and has more than 20 years of experience treating elderly patients, including people with Alzheimer’s and dementia. This book distills her wealth of knowledge in a practical, reassuring way. It’s an ideal resource for anyone whose lives are touched by a dementia diagnosis.
'Living in the Moment'
‘The 36-Hour Day’ by Nancy L. Mace and Peter V. Rabins
The 36-Hour Day, now in its 7th edition, is a go-to guidebook for families and caregivers of people with dementia disorders. Authors Nancy L. Mace and Dr. Peter V. Rabins are experts in the space: Mace is a former board member of the Alzheimer’s Association, and Dr. Rabins is a professor emeritus at Johns Hopkins with more than 40 years of experience researching and treating dementia. Together, they unpack the latest research on dementia, including preventative techniques and innovative therapies, and provide practical strategies for avoiding caregiver burnout.
‘Remember’ by Lisa Genova
Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting is a New York Times-bestselling deep-dive into the neurobiological intricacies of memory. How do we make memories, and why do we forget certain ones? Better yet, which types of forgetting are normal, and which should concern us as possible indicators of a dementia disorder? Dr. Lisa Genova — a Harvard-educated neuroscientist and acclaimed novelist — unpacks all of this and more in a compelling and informative read.
'Remember'
‘The End of Alzheimer’s’ by Dale E. Bredesen
Dr. Dale E. Bredesen is an internationally renowned expert on neurodegenerative disorders who has spent his decades-long career researching and developing innovative treatments for dementia. In his bestselling book The End of Alzheimer’s, he explains 36 metabolic factors that can trigger “downsizing” in the brain and contribute to cognitive decline. He then outlines his pioneering step-by-step protocol to balance out these factors — a program that has seen impressive success in clinical settings. It’s a worthwhile read for anyone who’s curious about practical tips for preventing or potentially reversing memory loss.
'The End of Alzheimer's'
‘Omega Farm’ by Martha McPhee
Martha McPhee is an acclaimed novelist and National Book Award finalist. In Omega Farm: A Memoir, she recounts caring for her mother, who was living with severe dementia, while staying at her childhood home in New Jersey. The more time she spends at Omega Farm, the more memories surface, forcing her to reckon with the chaos of her childhood. McPhee juggles tending to her mother’s needs, raising her own children, and making necessary repairs to the neglected farm, unfolding a poignant tale of personal and collective care.
'Omega Farm'
‘The Caregiver’s Guide to Dementia’ by Gail Weatherill
Gail Weatherill is a dementia nurse who’s devoted her career to educating and supporting caregivers. The Caregiver’s Guide to Dementia is a distillation of her tried-and-true tips to make caregiving more manageable. She helps readers understand what dementia is, how caregiving can impact you personally, and what caregivers need to know to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. It also includes helpful guides for talking to lawyers, accountants, and clinicians alike.
'The Caregiver's Guide to Dementia'
‘Somebody I Used to Know’ by Wendy Mitchell
British author Wendy Mitchell was just 58 years old when she was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. In her bestselling memoir Somebody I Used to Know, she recounts grappling with this harrowing diagnosis and learning to manage her symptoms. At the time of publication, Mitchell was still living independently four years after her diagnosis — a remarkable feat she attributes to shifting her mindset and taking practical steps to assist her memory. She’s now dedicated her life to demystifing Alzheimer’s for patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers alike.
'Somebody I Used to Know'
‘Dementia Reimagined’ by Tia Powell
Dr. Tia Powell is the director of the Montefiore Einstein Center for Bioethics. In Dementia Reimagined, she draws on her decades of experience as a psychiatrist and bioethicist to explore the cultural and scientific history of dementia disorders. Powell herself has firsthand experience in this realm: Her grandmother and mother were both diagnosed with dementia. She weaves memoir into her analysis, building a strong case for greater compassion and dignity for patients and caregivers. Instead of focusing exclusively on “finding a cure” for dementia, she argues for a deeper and more holistic appreciation for care.
'Dementia Reimagined'
‘On Vanishing’ by Lynn Casteel Harper
A Baptist minister and nurse chaplain, Lynn Casteel Harper watched her grandfather succumb to Alzheimer’s and is acutely aware of her own genetic risk factors. In her critically acclaimed book On Vanishing, she wrestles with the existential questions surrounding dementia, memory loss, and mortality. Dementia patients are said to lose core attributes of themselves, appearing to “vanish in plain sight” as their disease progresses. Harper interrogates that cultural narrative with grace and sensitivity, making this a comforting read for anyone who’s coping with a dementia diagnosis.
'On Vanishing'
‘When Waves Rise’ by Sarah Viola
Sarah Viola is an occupational therapist who specializes in caring for people with cognitive decline and dementia disorders. In When Waves Rise: Navigating Difficult Moments Associated With Dementia, she provides actionable advice for caregivers grounded in her 11-plus years of experience. Families, loved ones, and healthcare providers can all benefit from this book, which uses simple, real-life examples to explain the complex mechanisms behind common dementia-related behaviorial changes.
'When Waves Rise'
‘Before I Forget’ by B. Smith and Dan Gasby with Michael Shnayerson
A beloved model-turned-restaurateur, the late B. Smith received her Alzheimer’s diagnosis at 66 years old. Before I Forget chronicles her family’s journey living and coping with this life-altering disease. With the help of Vanity Fair journalist Michael Shnayerson, Smith and her husband, Dan Gadsby, address daily their challenges and existential dilemmas with candor and vulnerability. The book pairs their firsthand experiences with practical advice from experts, making it a well-rounded read — and a beautiful legacy for Smith, who passed away in 2020.
'Before I Forget'
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