“The 36-hour Day: a Family Guide to Caring for People Who Have Alzheimer’s Disease, Other Dementias and Memory Loss” ~ Nancy Mace and Peter Rabins
Overview: In its sixth edition, this book has been considered the definitive dementia care guide for over 30 years strong. It offers families and caregivers guidance in addressing the challenges of dementia while coping with their own emotions and needs.
Great takeaways: The different types of dementia, problems with daily care and hazards to watch out for, characteristic behavioral and neuropsychiatric symptoms and mood changes, the six Rs of behavior management (Restrict, Reassess, Reconsider, Re-channel, Reassure and Review) and a chapter for children and teens to understand the disease
Who would benefit: Caregivers seeking insights into what is happening to their loved one, what to expect and what resources are available for care
“Being My Mom’s Mom: a Journey through Dementia from a Daughter’s Perspective” ~ Loretta Anne Woodward Veney
Overview: This book addresses the difficulty in parenting a parent and offers strategies and helpful clues through the author’s personal experience.
Great takeaways: Five pointers to improve your patience, the author’s top “Loretta-isms” of self-encouragement, motivational quotes, suggestions for self-care and stress-relieving activities, plus an example of a card she wrote to her mom to remind her how she felt about her and what she was attempting to do for her
Who would benefit: Caregivers looking for someone to relate to who has been through this experience and succeeded in preserving a positive relationship with her loved one
