To mark World Book Day, we’re delighted to recommend some brilliant books for everyone to enjoy. These have a focus on dementia and range from reflections on real-life experiences to academic guidebooks offering information and support. These recommendations have been submitted by a number of Alzheimer Scotland staff, as well as members of the National Dementia Carers Action Network. We hope you find something you like. 

Book Recommendations

Finding The Light In Dementia by Jane M. Mullins

 

Book recommendaton for World Book Day

Finding the Light in Dementia: A Guide for Families, Friends and Caregivers is an essential book that explains common changes that can occur in those living with dementia. By offering valuable approaches, tips and stories, I can help readers learn to care for and maintain a connection with their care partner.

This book offers hope and strength to all of those affected by dementia, whether you’re a spouse, partner, daughter, son, sibling, friend or a parent caring for a loved one.

What I wish people knew about Dementia from someone who knows by Wendy Mitchell

Book recommendations for World Book Day

Mitchell's diagnosis of early onset dementia turned her life upside down but not in the ways that most people expect the condition to, and this bracing, optimistic and witty memoir presents another side to living with dementia which is all too rarely touched upon. 

United Caring for our loved ones living with dementia by Gina Awad

Book recommendations for World Book Day

A moving and beautifully illustrated book that captures the real life tales of people living with dementia, as told by their loved ones caring for them. This humorous, heartwarming and often heartbreaking collection will be relatable and supportive for anyone touched by dementia in their lives, and provides insight and information for anyone wanting to know more.

More Book Recommendations

Adaptive interaction and dementia by Dr Maggie Ellis and Professor Arlene Astell

Book recommendations for World Book Day

This guide to Adaptive Interaction explains how to assess the communication repertoires of people with dementia who can no longer speak, and offers practical interventions for those who wish to interact with them. Outlining the challenges faced by people living with advanced dementia, this book shows how to relieve the strain on relationships between them, their families, and professional caregivers through better, person-centred communication.
 

 

Including the person with dementia in Designing and delivering Care: ‘I need to be me’ by Elizabeth Barnett

Book recommendations for World Book Day

This book explores ways in which the perspectives of older people with dementia can be recognised. The book examines the history of dementia care and looks at ways in which people with dementia can be understood, before going on to focus on the evaluation. dementia Care Mapping was used as part of the evaluation process, and the book describes how staff were trained to use this technique. 

Caring for Nigel by Eileen Murray

Book recommendations for World Book Day

This true and touching account offers a unique insight into the day-to-day experience of caring for someone with dementia. At the age of sixty-nine Nigel Murray, a retired university lecturer and former Army officer, was diagnosed with dementia. Doctors suspected he was suffering from a rare and degenerative neurological disorder known as Multiple System Atrophy (MSA). However, Nigel also had many of the symptoms of both Parkinson’s disease and Lewy Body dementia and an official diagnosis was never made.  

Final Book Recommendations

Where Memories Go by Sally Magnusson

Book recommendations for World Book Day

 Scottish broadcaster and author Sally Magnusson cared with her two sisters for their mother Mamie during many years of living with dementia. Sad and funny, wise and honest, this deeply intimate account of insidious losses and unexpected joys is also a call to arms that challenges us all to think differently.

Somebody I used to know by Wendy Mitchell

Book recommendations for World Book Day

A brave and illuminating journey inside the mind, heart, and life of a person with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Mitchell shares the heartrending story of her cognitive decline and how she has fought to stave it off. What lay ahead of her after the diagnosis was scary and unknowable, but Mitchell was determined and resourceful, and she vowed to outwit the disease for as long as she could.

Still Alice by Lisa Genova

Book recommendation for World Book Day

'Still Alice' is the story of an accomplished Harvard professor who is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Alice is a remarkable woman, and her family learn more about her and each other. She is living in the moment, living for each day. But she is still Alice.