Doctor Recommended

Book Reviews

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Books for Children

Memory Box age 4+
by Mary Bahr, David Cunningham (Illustrator)

Follows a grandpa who makes a memory box with his grandson when he begins to develop dementia.  Follow up the book with a memory box or memory board activity. 

Why Did Grandma Put Her Underwear in the Refrigerator age 4+
by Max Wallack, Carolyn Given

A little girl is affected by the changes in her grandma as she develops dementia. At first she is mad. After she learns about the disease she is able to find compassion and love and accept her grandmother as she is.

The Remember Balloons age 5+
by Jessie Oliveros

James’s Grandpa has the best balloons because he has the best memories. But when Grandpa’s balloons begin to float away, James is heartbroken. No matter how hard he runs, James can’t catch them. Grandpa no longer has balloons of his own. But James has many more than before. It’s up to him to share those balloons, one by one.

Weeds in nana’s garden age 6+
by Kathryn Harrison

This book follows a young girl who gardens with her grandma. One summer the girl notices that grandma has not picked the weeds in her garden. The metaphor continues throughout the book with “weeds” growing in grandma’s brain as well. Nice illustrations and nice metaphors that kids can understand.

The Dementia Diaries: A Novel in Cartoons age 12+
by Matthew Snyman

Follow the stories of Brie, Fred, and other young carers as they try to understand and cope with their grandparents’ dementia at all stages of the illness.

Books for Caregivers

The 36 hour day
by Nancy L. Mace and Peter V. Rabins

The best selling dementia care guide book provides practical information to empower families to improve the day to day life of themselves and their loved ones

Creating Moments of Joy for the Person with Alzheimer’s Dementia
by Jolene Brackey

Jolene Brackey brings a change of perspective – an opportunity to focus on living in the moment and find simple joys in each moment. 

The Caregiver’s Guide to Dementia: Practical Advice for Caring for Yourself and Your Loved One
by Gail Weatherill

When caring for someone with dementia, your own mental stability can be the single most critical factor in your loved one’s quality of life. The Caregiver’s Guide to Dementia brings practical and comprehensive guidance to understanding the illness, caring for someone, and caring for yourself.

Multisensory Rooms and Environments
by Susan Fowler

This unique, fully photocopiable resource offers guidance and materials to aid those developing multisensory environments – artificially engineered spaces that encourage relaxation, social skills and learning by stimulating the five senses.

Activities to do with your parent who has Alzheimer’s Dementia 1st Edition
by Judith A. Levy. EdM. OTR

This book provides a selection of user-friendly activities that will help maintain your parent’s self-care skills, mobility, and socialization. These tasks encourage success and feelings of self worth, and offer imaginative ways to interact with your parent.