Three books: Dementia With Dignity, The Dementia Handbook, and the Dementia Handbook in Spanish; The DAWN Method;

Best Books on Dementia That Teach Strength-Based Care

If you want to learn how to provide DAWN strength-based dementia care, there are a few best books on dementia that I recommend you read. Each book is a bit different in what it covers. I will go over how each book will help you below. 

Here is my short list of the best books for dementia caregivers: 

Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande

Being Mortal by Atul Gawande has become a New York Times best seller and for good reason. It delves into the often-overlooked aspects of modern medicine, specifically its approach to aging and end-of-life care. Gawande critiques the current system, highlighting how a focus on safety and life extension can inadvertently diminish the quality of life for elderly and terminally ill patients. Through compelling narratives and research, he advocates for a shift in priorities, emphasizing the importance of dignity, autonomy, and social connection throughout the final stages of life. He presents alternative models of care, including enriched assisted living and hospice, demonstrating that a fulfilling life, rather than merely prolonged existence, should be the ultimate goal.

I was honored to conduct a workshop last summer at the OMEGA Institute in Rhinebeck, NY. This book was the one book that I assigned as required reading for workshop participants. I think every human should read this book. 

The Dementia Handbook: How to Provide Dementia Care at Home by Judy Cornish

Books by Judy Cornish: Dementia with Dignity: Living Well with Alzheimer's and Dementia Using the DAWN Method, and The Dementia Handbook: How to Provide Dementia Care at Home

The Dementia Handbook (Spanish version of the Dementia Handbook) is my first book, and it’s a short, concise guide to the core philosophy of the DAWN Method, a strength-based approach to dementia care that I developed. I wrote it because I understand the immense stress families and caregivers face when dealing with dementia. I’ve seen firsthand how the emotional distress experienced by those with dementia leads to behavioral challenges and, often, institutionalization.

Through my work as the founder of the Dementia & Alzheimer’s Wellbeing Network (DAWN), I’ve learned that by identifying the emotional needs arising from dementia and understanding the shifting landscape of retained and lost skills, we can significantly reduce these behavioral complications and reduce caregiver stress.

While every person’s experience with dementia is unique, I’ve observed consistent patterns in the abilities and disabilities of those living with it. This allowed me to create practical methods for care partners to address emotional distress, leading to the rapid and safe resolution of conflict between people experiencing dementia and their carers.

I firmly believe that despite the changes dementia brings, the person you love remains within. My goal with The Dementia Handbook: How to Provide Dementia Care at Home is to offer you a supportive resource as you navigate this challenging, yet potentially rewarding, journey with your loved one.

Dementia With Dignity: Living Well with Alzheimer’s or Dementia Using the DAWN Method by Judy Cornish

Dementia With Dignity is my guide, a revolutionary approach to empowering families and caregivers to provide effective home care for those living with Alzheimer’s or dementia. I’ve developed the DAWN Method® to demonstrate that compassionate and effective home care is not only possible but preferable, allowing you to create a supportive environment and delay the need for costly long-term care facilities

In this longer book, I share essential knowledge, including the core facts about Alzheimer’s and dementia, and a clear understanding of the cognitive skills lost and, importantly, those that remain. I provide the tools to recognize and respond to the emotional distress caused by dementia, enabling you to prevent challenging behaviors. I also teach practical techniques for navigating mood swings and altered perceptions of reality, and I offer guidance on managing hygiene, safety, nutrition, and exercise within the home.

My primary goal is to foster a deeper understanding of the lived experience of someone with dementia, enabling you to enhance their emotional wellbeing through your care. I believe that by aligning with their perspective and acknowledging the emotional impact of cognitive decline, we can create a more peaceful and secure environment.

I want to emphasize that dementia doesn’t signify the end of meaningful experiences. There are countless opportunities for joy and connection. Through Dementia With Dignity, I aim to equip you with the knowledge and skills to honor and uphold the life of your loved one, allowing them to navigate their journey with dignity and grace within the comfort of their own home.

Creating Moments of Joy Along the Alzheimer’s Journey: A Guide for Families and Caregivers by Jolene Brackey

Jolene Brackey’s fifth edition of Creating Moments of Joy is more than a caregiving manual; it’s a guide to fostering companionship through an intuitive, love-centered approach. Brackey believes that the focus in dementia care should shift from the challenges to the creation of joyful moments. When short-term memory diminishes, life becomes a sequence of these fleeting instants, and it’s within the caregiver’s power to infuse them with genuine happiness.

This book encourages caregivers to tap into their intuitive understanding, to connect heart-to-heart and craft experiences that elicit smiles and brighten eyes. It’s not about fabricating perfect days, but about weaving together perfect moments that leave a lasting sense of warmth and connection. These moments, born of love, transcend memory.

Within its pages, readers will find not only practical advice but also gentle encouragement, heartwarming stories, and a touch of humor to lighten the journey. Brackey has learned that the deepest wisdom arises from the love shared, the intuitive connection cultivated, and the moments of joy created together. This book serves as a guide to nurturing companionship in a way that honors the spirit and celebrates the present moment.

Spin Cycle: Notes from a Reluctant Caregiver by Alfredo Botello (fiction)

Published on January 14, 2025, Spin Cycle is a fictional story that will delight people who are caring for someone experiencing dementia. I believe that Alfredo Botello has successfully described strength-based dementia care, culturally.

This novel follows Ezra Pavic, a high school math teacher grappling with a crumbling personal life. Abandoned by his wife and estranged from his son, Ezra’s burdens intensify when he becomes the primary caregiver for his mother, Irene, who suffers from dementia. Overwhelmed by the emotional toll, he establishes a caregiver support group, attracting a diverse group of individuals. While attempting to manage his students and their unique challenges, Ezra also confronts his complicated feelings towards his mother, exacerbated by her favoritism towards his brother. Unbeknownst to his students, Ezra harbors a hidden agenda, mirroring the secret held by one of his students. Through conversations with his childhood friend Danny, Ezra navigates his emotional turmoil, striving to rediscover compassion and love amidst his chaotic circumstances.