Many books have been written about Alzheimer’s disease and how it affects relationships. Here are some books to read about:
Going… Going…: The Abduction of a Mind (2019) by Jack Weaver
The memoir Going Going: The Abduction Of A Mind by Jack Weaver narrates the 15-year journey of Jack and his wife, Janey, along the trail of Alzheimer’s disease. It is more than just a story of a husband who took care of his wife, who developed the degenerative disease, but a testimony of a couple who pledged to love, honor, and commit through sickness and in health, and did so with faith and grace.
Somebody I Used to Know: A Memoir (2018) by Wendy Mitchell
Before she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2014, British author Wendy Mitchell was a single mother of two, a National Health Service (NHS) administrator, and an active outdoor and DIY enthusiast. She was organized and energetic and in total control of her life. Then, at age 58, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. That should have been for most people. She, however, vowed to outwit the disease, starting by publishing her critically acclaimed memoir.
Love in the Land of Dementia: Finding Hope in the Caregiver’s Journey (2013) by Deborah Shouse
The book is written from the perspective of a daughter who became her mother’s caregiver when she was diagnosed with dementia. Through her mother’s struggle with dementia, the author discovered compassion, deepening love, and increased connection with her mother and her family. The book provides readers with family members suffering from Alzheimer’s with practical suggestions and unexpected insights.
The Long Hello: The Other Side of Alzheimer’s (2010) by Cathie Borrie
The Long Hello abounds with the universal themes of family, loss, and the power of love, all richly reflected in a daughter’s care of her mother, who developed not only Alzheimer’s but also Parkinson’s disease. Lyrical yet heartwarming, the book reveals the powerful bond between daughters and mothers, something Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia could never break.
A Funny Thing Happened on My Way to the Dementia Ward: Memoir of a Male CNA (2011) by Charles G. Schoenfeld
Written from the perspective of a male certified nursing assistant (CNA), the book tells the story of a father and retired FedEx driver who became a CNA and worked at a nursing home for seven years. The author talks about caring for those with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia and also shares the stories of individual residents and tips for visitors.
The Inheritance: A Family on the Front Lines of the Battle Against Alzheimer’s Disease (2017) by Niki Kapsambelis
This compelling book reveals how Alzheimer’s disease afflicted the DeMoe family and what they’re doing to stave it off. The author, who is a journalist, shares to the world the courageous, hopeful story of the DeMoes that may hold the key to finding a cure for the degenerative disease.
The Theft of Memory: Losing My Father, One Day at a Time (2016) by Jonathan Kozol
Many books have been written about how Alzheimer’s disease impacted the bond between mothers who developed the disease and the daughters who cared for them. In The Theft of Memory, a son tells the story of his father’s life and works as a renowned specialist in disorders of the brain – and his onset of Alzheimer’s and eventual descent into dementia.
Dancing with Rose: Finding Life in the Land of Alzheimer’s (2007) by Lauren Kessler
After losing her mother to the degenerative disease, the author became a caregiver at a facility for people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease to better understand the disease, as well as to explore the relationships between people with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers.