Our Dementia Resource Library: Shared Journeys
The journey with dementia is complex, deeply personal, and often challenging. When a diagnosis enters your life—whether for yourself or a loved one—you often seek a map, but sometimes what you truly need is a set of varied compasses and the wisdom of others who have walked similar paths.
This library is a curated collection of resources, built not just from clinical knowledge, but from our lived experiences. We have gathered the books that comforted and guided us, the films that helped us feel seen, and the professional articles that offered clarity and practical strategies.
Our hope is that in these pages, you find information that empowers you, stories that resonate with you, and a reminder that you are not alone.
Movies
Movies & Documentaries: Seeing Our Stories on Screen
Film and documentary can validate our feelings, spark empathy, and sometimes, provide moments of shared catharsis.
The Father (2020) Feature Film
-Experiencing the Confusion: Anthony Hopkins’ Oscar-winning performance puts the audience directly into the perspective of a man living with dementia, making his disorientation palpable.
Still Alice (2014) Feature Film
A Dignified Struggle: A powerful adaptation of the book, focusing on the diagnosis of a highly intelligent professional and the impact on her identity and family.
Alive Inside: A Story of Music and Memory (2014) Documentary
The Power of Music: A beautiful and uplifting documentary showing how personalized music can dramatically awaken memory and personality in people living with dementia.
What They Had (2018)Feature Film
For the Caregivers: This film explores the emotional toll and complex decisions faced by adult children caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s. A great resource for those navigating family dynamics.
Books
Books: Comfort, Guidance, and Deep Understanding
These books offer a range of perspectives, from practical caregiving guides to moving memoirs, helping you navigate the emotional and logistical realities of dementia.
The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for People Who Have Alzheimer Disease, Related Dementias, and Memory Loss
Nancy L. Mace & Peter V. Rabins
The Caregiver's Bible: This is the most comprehensive and practical guide for day-to-day challenges, offering actionable advice for everything from communication to behavior changes.
Creating Moments of Joy for the Person with Dementia
Jolene Brackey
Focus on the Positive: This book shifts the perspective from what is lost to how to create meaningful, happy moments in the present. Essential for emotional well-being.
Focus on the Positive: This book shifts the perspective from what is lost to how to create meaningful, happy moments in the present. Essential for emotional well-being.
Joanne Koenig Coste
Communication Breakthrough: It teaches the importance of entering the person's reality, rather than forcing them into ours. A true game-changer for reducing stress and conflict.