Reading Well for dementia
Reading Well for dementia recommends helpful reading and digital resources for people living with dementia. There are also books for family, friends and carers. The booklist provides reliable information, advice and support as well as personal stories and age-appropriate books for children.
The new booklist is targeted at people living with dementia, carers and family members including younger children to help them understand more about dementia.
Look for the Reading Well for dementia books in your local library – they’re free to borrow.
Many titles are also available to borrow as e-books and audiobooks. Find out how to join the library and access books, e-books and audiobooks via your local library website.
England
Our overview of titles and digital leaflet are available to download for free.
Wales
Our bilingual overview of titles and bilingual digital leaflet are available to download for free.
In Wales, the Reading Well for dementia collection includes an extra title that is only available in Welsh language (Datod; ed. Beti George).
For more information on Reading Well for dementia please see our FAQ document.
You can shop our booklists via LoveReading, who give 25% of money spent to schools in need.
Purchase these books via LoveReading to fund new books for schools.
Booklist Categories
About dementia
Coping with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
Mary Jordan
What You Really Want to Know About Life with Dementia
Karen Harrison Dening, Hilda Hayo and Christine Reddall
Tom Russ and Michael Huddleston
Why Dementia Makes Communication Difficult
Alison Wray
Digital Resources
Alzheimer’s Society
Information, advice and support for people affected by dementia (including information, support and advice in Welsh).
Tel: 0333 150 3456
(Mon-Weds: 9am – 8pm, Thurs & Fri: 9am – 5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am-4pm]
Dementia UK
Admiral Nurses at Dementia UK provide free, life-changing support and advice to anyone affected by dementia [including some information in Welsh).
Tel: 0800 888 6678
(Mon-Fri: 9am-9pm, Sat & Sun: 9am-5pm)
Rare Dementia Support
Specialist social, emotional and practical support services for individuals living with, or affected by, a rare dementia diagnosis.
Dementias covered include: Young-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease, Posterior Cortical Atrophy (PCA), Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA), Familial Alzheimer’s Disease (FAD), Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Familial Frontotemporal dementia and Lewy Body Dementia.
Tel: 020 3325 0828 (voicemail service)
NHS Dementia Guide
Information for people diagnosed with dementia, friends and families.
Age UK
Information, advice and support for older people, including information on dementia
and relevant topics.
Tel: 0800 055 6112 (8am-7pm every day of the year)
Living with dementia
The Practical Handbook of Living with Dementia
Richard Coaten, Mark Hopfenbeck and Isla Parker
Peter Berry and Deb Bunt
Take Care, Son: The Story of My Dad and his Dementia
Tony Husband
Helen Lambert
Unforgettable: rugby, dementia and the fight of my life
Steve Thompson
Somebody I Used to Know
Wendy Mitchell
Digital Resources
Dementia Voices
Dementia Voices pulls together Innovations in Dementia’s work with people with dementia, including DEEP: the UK network of dementia voices, Dementia Diaries, Dementia Tip-Share, Dementia Creatives and Dementia Enquirers.
Tel: 01392 420076
Living with Dementia Toolkit
This set of resources is based on research, and the expert experiences of people with dementia and their carers. These resources are here to:
- give you hope for the future
- inspire you through examples of real-life experiences
- offer ideas to help you live your life as you choose
Knowledge is Power booklets
The Knowledge is Power booklets provide handy hints that might help make life a little easier after a diagnosis of dementia. They have been written by people living with dementia for people living with dementia.
The original Knowledge is Power booklet was developed by and for people in Wales. It has since been adapted by and for people living in England and Scotland.
- Wales: Knowledge is Power / Knowledge is Power 2
- Cymru: Grym Mewn Gwybodaeth / Mae Pwer Mewn Gwybodaeth 2
- England: Knowlede is Power
- Scotland: Knowledge is Power
Playlist for Life
Create a playlist of personally meaningful music for people living with dementia.
BBC Reminiscence Archive
A reminiscence tool to support people with dementia and carers.
Carers and family
Dementia Essentials
Jan Hall
United: Caring for our loved ones living with dementia
Gina Awad, illustrated by Tony Husband
Shobna Gulati
My Book about Brains, Change and Dementia
Lynda Moore, illustrated by George Haddon
Louise Gooding, illustrated by Erika Meza
How to Help Someone with Dementia
Dr Michelle Hamill and Dr Martina McCarthy
Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia: A Guide for Families
Karen Watchman
Simon McDermott
David McKee
The Stories Grandma Forgot (and How I Found Them)
Nadine Aisha Jassat
Digital Resources
Dementia Carers Count
Free information, support and services that give family carers the opportunity to understand more about dementia and to connect with others in a similar situation.
Tel: 0800 652 1102 (Mon – Fri: 9am – 5pm)
Carers UK
Provide information and advice on caring, help carers connect with each other, campaign with carers for lasting change, and use innovation to improve services.
Tel: 0808 808 7777 (Mon – Fri: 8am – 6pm)
Reading Well for dementia is endorsed by
Age UK, Alzheimer’s Society, Bangor University, British Psychological Society, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Carers UK, Dementia UK, Improvement Cymru, Innovations in Dementia, National Academy for Social Prescribing, National Association of Primary Care, Royal College of General Practitioners, Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
