Best Books for Caregivers

Best Books for Caregivers

From the front lines of care for the aging, these books offer how-to, help, and hope.

By Marcia Z. Nelson

For those whose loved ones develop dementia, life's autumn is a cruel season. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia; more than 5 million Americans have it. The Alzheimer's Association estimates that by 2050 between 11 million and 16 million people over age 65 will have the disease, unless effective treatment or prevention is found. For those facing this demanding passage in life, these books offer resources and also the comfort of stories and shared experiences of what happens as family members decline and as caregiving becomes a way of life.

Marcia Z. Nelson, an author and journalist in the Chicago area, specializes in religion and spirituality.