Dementia is not a specific disease--it is a group of symptoms that can be caused by various diseases. The most common form of dementia in older people is Alzheimer's disease. Common symptoms of dementia include progressive memory loss and personality changes, and the afflicted person often ends up needing a caregiver. As a result of this typical disease progression, many books about dementia and Alzheimer's disease are directed toward the caregiver's needs.
Caregiving Tips A-Z
Caregiving encompasses numerous tasks, and many caregivers for dementia and Alzheimer's patients become overwhelmed by the level of responsibility. Authors Starr and Bob Calo-Oy provide over 1,200 practical suggestions for caregivers in "Caregiving Tips A-Z: Alzheimer's and Other Dementias." For more than fifteen years, the authors owned and operated a personal care home where they cared for people with various forms of dementia. Peppered with spunky illustrations, the book is divided into 26 chapters. Each chapter represents a letter of the alphabet. For example, Chapter "H" is for "Home Set-Up," and the chapter gives ideas for safety precautions. Chapter "K" is for "Keys to the Car," and it covers the difficult topic of driver intervention for a loved one who exhibits signs of early stage dementia.
The 36-Hour Day
"The 36-Hour Day" by Nancy L. Mace and Peter V. Rabins has been offering guidance to families since it was first published in 1981. The Johns Hopkins University Press released the fourth edition in 2006. The title of the book is a nod to the idea that caregivers often put in what feels like a 36-hour day. The book covers the practical aspects of caregiving and it also includes a chapter about research. True to its subtitle, "A Family Guide to Caring for People with Alzheimer Disease, Other Dementias, and Memory Loss in Later Life," there is a chapter that offers ideas for children and teenagers--the youngest members of the family.
Keeping Busy
"Keeping Busy: A Handbook of Activities for Persons with Dementia" by James R. Dowling presents more than 150 pages of ideas that are intended to improve the quality of life of persons who have dementia. The categories of activities include word games, music and gardening. James R. Dowling is the activity specialist at an Alzheimer's care center, and the book is published by the Johns Hopkins University Press.
The Alzheimer's Answer Book
Written by a psychiatrist who began his career in geriatrics, "The Alzheimer's Answer Book" by Charles Atkins carries the subtitle "Professional Answers to More than 250 Questions about Alzheimer's and Dementia." Presented in a question and answer format, this book addresses topics such as evaluation and diagnosis, nursing homes, behavior management and insurance issues.
