What’s your best dementia book?

[Supersimkin2]

Mine so far is Keeper, the story of Andrea Ghillies’ attempts to look after her MIL, and I’m really looking for more first-person accounts from carers.

Do please share if anything helped you - I don’t mind grim details - just a feeling that we’re not quite so alone in the distorted reality of the dementia universe.

What dementia teaches us about Love by Nicci Gerrard

Both sound good, thanks.

For novels, "Elizabeth is Missing", "Three Things About Elsie" and "Still Alice" all moved me so much.

More dementia-focused reference / non-fiction, Professor June Andrews' "Dementia: The One-Stop Shop" is invaluable, and Sally Magnusson's "Where Memories Go", while very sad in places especially for those going through this journey, is both so beautiful and so informative.

Thanks, excellent help.

I got a lot from Contented Dementia by Oliver James

I've been recommended "the selfish pig's guide to caring" by Hugh Marriott. Only just started it, but it has been a good read so far, and lessened the feelings of aloneness.

Not dementia specific, but it is good for a viewpoint on caring in general, and dementia does come up in it

Wendy Mitchell has just brought out her 3rd book on Dementia. She was diagnosed in her late 50s and gives insight into how Dementia affects her and fellow sufferers. For example she has lost interest in food and needs to set phone notifications to remind her to eat.

I opened the thread to say this.

Contented Dementia definitely. It taught me how to cope with the dementia loops

Elizabeth Is Missing taught me so much about dementia.

Just to let people know wendy mitchell has died today - just been announced by her daughters - rest in peace wendy.

https://whichmeamitoday.wordpress.com/2024/02/22/my-final-hug-in-a-mug/

@bilbodog I am so sad to read this. I have all her books. What an inspiration she was!

@Supersimkin2 if you're still about, I also highly recommend the Nicky Gerrard book.

I'm aware this is an old thread now. But Where Are You by Katie Herdman is lovely. Its so honest, so not always easy.