My father is in an assisted living residence. He’s 89. He’s been struggling with many health conditions associated with vascular dementia - incontinence, difficulty walking, short term memory, delusional behavior that is worse in the morning and evenings. I am closest to dad, and see him 4-5 times a week for window visits. He’s currently in lockdown and confined to his room because 2 members of the residence have COVID. Consequently my 4 siblings, 2 of whom reside in my state, and 2 who reside in different states, are suffering various degrees of grief as they call dad and experience his confused state, caused partially, I imagine, because he’s been confined to his room for over 15 days, and also simply due to the natural progression of the disease. I’m dealing with some burnout due to my close connection with dad, and want to help them with an easy to read book or booklet, even a pamphlet or audio book that might address what we are all experiencing, rather than having to try to explain it myself to each one. Send me your best stuff!!
Memoir by Elizabeth Berg, I'll Be Seeing You.
Under fiction, story about a man's descent into alzheimer's from his perspective by Author who spent years volunteering in ECF. That one is Still Time by Jean Hegland.
As for the siblings, the more they can learn, the better. Online is where I learned most everything (I knew nothing about dementia before that.) I can't really say which sites were better, it was many years ago, and cumulative over several years, but many online site discuss what you might experience and some offer suggestions for how to work around it or deal with it. Distractions. Redirection of focus. Living in "their" moments. Discussing your own "current" events won't likely hold their interest, so you have to dig into their past, respond to what they say, etc.
Some families learn to cope, others don't. I learned quickly to "go with the flow" and "live in the moment." You mention he's worse mornings and evenings, so if you can have them make contact when he's in his "better" times, that might help. Staff might be able to identify the best times for contact.
Both my brothers had their own kind of denials going on. Neither took me seriously when I brought up that our mother was heading down the dementia path. Months later, OB asks what's wrong with mom? If I sent links to help him understand, he would just read the title and say she doesn't have a sleep problem (the title mentioned sleep disorders, but if you read the article, it would help explain her odd OCD behavior she developed before we moved her - we had cameras, and could see this become a nightly marathon, checking various things over and over.) READ IT. I have no idea whether he did or not. During his last trip to the area, we visited once just after he arrived and mom was overjoyed to see him. I sent him up in the morning, suggested he pick up DD coffee and doughnuts. Very short visit. He was here to help clear out the condo, so in a quiet moment, I suggested he go visit her again. He flat out refused, and said he "didn't know what to do with her." Just BE there. So what if she repeats herself. Sometimes you can "dislodge" the stuck moment and move them on to something else. If they get agitated, try to divert attention to something else (not always possible, esp over the phone.) He would NOT go back, because he just couldn't figure out how to be "in the moment." The other would respond with long drawn out answers or explanations, only to have her ask again or make the same statements. Keep it SIMPLE! He was also adamant she needed AL, not MC. Staff said nope.
Ask about something from their past, something that was pleasant for them. Old friends or relatives. Places they maybe traveled to. Funny stories when you were kids. Don't ask if they remember something, just try a topic and if he can't grasp it, move on. Try anything and everything, and stick with those that work to keep them calm, happy, not agitated. If he's stuck in that agitation, perhaps try again later or perhaps he needs Rx (not a fan, but some help.)
I really would consider asking about MC. He might be very unhappy being "stuck" in his room(s). Not all places are the same, but mom's place did allow the MC residents freedom of movement. I would suspect if someone tested positive, they would have to isolate that person, but allow the others their "freedom."
I think if they're really interested they will already have Googled it, or youTubed it - the internet has it all.
See if you can pick up a few pamphlets from the AL facility your Dad is in. Try the Department of Aging, AARP or the Alzheimers Association.
Have them sign into this site, it's a wealth of information, easy to navigate and even this forum is wonderful.
Teepa Snow IS an amazing resource, I particularly liked this video series
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVl8vTLjje8ESAEvpjVoVTEK-_6X2jTdl
A lot of people recommend Roz Chast's book "Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant"