Sorry for the gap in blog posts, but Spring literally blew in and with it a flurry of activities and commitments that left little time in my schedule. As baseball games, recitals, honor awards and graduations for our grandkids subside and vacations begin, I anticipate the downtime I need to return to a regular blogging schedule.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This post is dedicated to the many people suffering from various forms of mental health issues. Today, I decided to share three books related to Alzheimer’s Disease because it feels like so many people, including myself, have a loved one with some form of dementia. In my search for helpful books, I honed in on two texts for adults and one, very sweet book for children.

When the topic of Alzheimer’s comes up, a million questions arise, as well. Here’s an informative, short text that will address many of those important questions…

Is It Alzheimer’s? Peter V. Rabins, MD, MPH, writes a comprehensive but concise text using a question/answer format. It delves into the signs, causes and care of people with this disease, as well as steps that may lower one’s risk. Rabins also differentiates the various types of dementia and provides tips for caregivers. I loved the format and gleaned new insights from this valuable book.

Reversing Alzheimer’s by Dr. Heather Sandison was an excellent book that details many steps that could improved this form of dementia and even help those with a family history avoid Alzheimer’s entirely. Not surprisingly, Sandison verifies that stress avoidance, quality sleep, regular exercise, creating a non-toxic environment, socialization and diet all play a vital role in improving or avoiding Alzheimer’s. Sandison is a big proponent of the Keto diet, but offers a manageable plan for working this into your life. Knowledge is power and this book was packed with new knowledge for me. It has inspired me to sustain or modify my lifestyle in the hopes of protecting my brain health. This is a must-read if someone you love has been diagnosed with this disease or if you are worrying about the hereditary component of it.

Most children are very attuned to changes or a stressful situation within their family. In an effort to calm their fears, parents often skirt the issue, which can actually hinder rather than help the child. When a close relative is diagnosed with some form of dementia, a straight-forward, but appropriate explanation usually reassures children. Here’s one of many children’s books that can guide you…

A Doll for Grandma by Paulette Bochnig Sharkey is a cute story about a little girl whose beloved Grandmother is showing signs of dementia. As the story progresses, Kiera learns how to enjoy good times with her Grandma. Included at the end of the book, is an informative page written by Judy Cornish, founder of the Dementia and Alzheimer’s Well-Being Network, to help parents explain dementia to their children.