Mom is early-to-mid stage mixed dementia, 90, and still likes to read fiction and non-fiction. Even though she retains precious little and cannot discuss the book with you, reading provides her a great deal of in-the-moment pleasure. You can hand her a book she finished the week prior and not recognizing it, she'll start reading all over again! (Brings me a smile). Mom is cognizant of her condition and wants to know more about Alzheimer's and dementia in general. Should I furnish Mom with a book or two on this topic? I'm thinking yes, depending on the book. I don't want her take away to be a sense of hopelessness and would also steer her away from graphic content concerning the advanced stages of the disease. Has anyone else had a loved one with dementia who asked for books about dementia? Opinions pro or con about how to respond are welcome, but especially reading recommendations for appropriate books about dementia/Alzheimer's for the sufferer. Love this forum. I don't feel so all alone. Thanks to all.
I'd discuss it with her doctor, first.
If she is unable to procure a book on her own accord, then, I'd be super sensitive of providing her with something that could cause her fear. Regardless, of how compelling a story is about a person who had dementia, the outcome is the same. They do not have a happy ending and that could be overwhelming for someone who is already struggling with so many emotions.
But I don't have a book to recommend. I've come across maybe 4 novels that do have a character with dementia, and I related to the caregivers, but they weren't books that would be uplifting to people who had the disease. But all you have to do is find one -- and give it to her over and over. :-)
Even though I don't have dementia [I don't think] anytime I forget something it spins me into thinking I have dementia or the start of it. And that becomes scary. There are times I wished I didn't do so much studying about this disease but I wanted to be ready for my parents to understand what they were going through.