Q: My dad was just diagnosed with memory loss. Since this is the first time I’ve dealt with the disease, I’m trying to gather information to help make this time easier on him – as well as myself. I’ve already joined your support group, but is there anywhere else I can gather information to review in my free time?
A: I’m so happy to know you’ve joined our support group, and I’d love to share some more resources with you. While there are a lot of articles you can read on the internet, it’s also possible to find so much that it feels overwhelming, so I’m glad you’re reaching out to see what we recommend.
My recommendations span a couple of categories – one being books and another being podcasts. There are plenty more out there, but this is generally a good place to start. Check out these dementia resources below to find some that may work for you or the older adult you’re caring for.
Best Books and Podcasts to Better Understand Dementia
Books to Dive Into
Some caregivers love to wind down the day with a book. Not only is it relaxing, but it can be done anywhere – with or without an internet connection. From ebooks to paperbacks or hard-covers to audio books, there are sure to be plenty of options to meet your needs. Best of all, these books will give you resources, reassurance and guidance for a more peaceful caregiving experience.
- Creating Moments of Joy Along the Alzheimer’s Journey: A Guide for Families and Caregivers, by Jolene Brackey
- When an Aging Parent Needs Help and Surviving Alzheimer’s: Practical Tips and Soul-Saving Wisdom for Caregivers, by Paula Spencer Scott
- The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for People Who Have Alzheimer’s Disease, Other Dementias, and Memory Loss, by Nancy L. Mace and Peter V. Rabins
- Learning to Speak Alzheimer’s: A Groundbreaking Approach for Everyone Dealing with the Disease, by Joanne Koenig Coste
- Chicken Soup for the Soul: Living with Alzheimer’s & Other Dementias: 101 Stories of Caregiving, Coping, and Compassion, by Amy Newmark
Special Mention: The Complete Family Guide to Dementia
As many know, the team at Bridges® by EPOCH invites experts to share their experience and guidance. In fact, Brent Forester, MD, MSc, President of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, Chief of the Center of Excellence in Geriatric Psychiatry at McLean Hospital, and Distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, is one of those regular speakers.
Often, we partner with him for educational sessions, and we’re proud to add his book, written alongside journalist Thomas Harrison, to this list: The Complete Family Guide to Dementia: Everything You Need to Know to Help Your Parent and Yourself.
Within the pages of this book, Dr. Forester and Thomas Harrison share how to care smarter, not harder, with an authoritative guide that:
- Explains the basics of dementia
- Offers effective strategies for coping with the toll of caregiving
- Shares skills to help navigate changing roles, communication and difficult behaviors
- Assists with future planning
- Helps encourage the best quality of life possible
Are you interested in learning more? Read a sample of The Complete Family Guide to Dementia here or check back on our event pages for updates, as we’ll be having a special ‘Meet the Author’ session with Dr. Forester in October.
Alternatives for Easier Reading: Magazines and E-Newsletters
Don’t forget to check out magazines and newsletters if you’d prefer an option delivered to your door – or your inbox! Check out the two below to get started:
- The Alzheimer’s Association® offers ALZ Mag, a print publication currently free to those within the United States, with a free digital subscription and weekly eNews, as well.
- Alzheimer’s TODAY is also a free print subscription offered by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.
Podcasts To Listen To
If you’re like many caregivers who don’t quite have the time to read, podcasts are a great solution. Instead of reading a book, you can listen to short blurbs from experts in the field of healthcare and memory loss. Even more so, you can find specialized topics of interest that can benefit you and your loved one.
To get started, simply grab your headphones or press play. Are you not sure what to listen to? Check out some of these great podcast resources for dementia caregivers.
- The Forgetting: Inside the Mind of Alzheimer’s, by David Shenk and Greg O’Brien
- Dementia Untangled, by Banner Alzheimer’s Institute and Banner Sun Health Research Institute
- Johns Hopkins Medicine Podcasts
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Podcasts
- Blogs and podcasts suggested by the National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Searching for more support?
No matter what forms of dementia your loved one may be facing, Bridges® by EPOCH is always ready to be your community resource center, full of care and support. For more information, resources for Alzheimer’s caregivers, or educational blogs, visit our website. To speak to a member of our team about long-term care or forming a care plan, contact the community nearest you today.
Alicia Seaver is Vice President of Memory Care Operations for EPOCH Senior Living and a Certified Memory Impairment Specialist. Every month, she addresses a specific issue related to memory and memory care. If you’re interested in hearing about a particular topic, please send a note to [email protected].
Enhancing Quality of Life
Bridges® by EPOCH memory care communities have been developed from the ground up to anticipate, meet and exceed the needs of our residents and their families. Our team of remarkable people, the exceptional care and services we offer, and the purposeful design of our buildings all combine to create the most rewarding, secure and nurturing lifestyle possible for our residents.
Bridges® communities are located in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, in the following towns: Norwalk, CT; Stamford, CT; Trumbull, CT; Andover, MA; Hingham, MA; Lexington, MA; Mashpee, MA; Pembroke, MA; Sudbury, MA; Westford, MA; Westwood, MA; and Nashua, NH.