10 Geriatrics Books That Redefine Aging and Caregiving
Trusted by Jeffrey Cummings, Leeza Gibbons, and Ken Blanchard, these Geriatrics books offer expert guidance and heartfelt insights.


What if the way we approach aging and eldercare could be transformed by a handful of carefully chosen books? Geriatrics, the field dedicated to understanding and improving the health of older adults, confronts challenges that touch millions of families worldwide. In an era where longevity is increasing, knowing how to care for aging loved ones—and ourselves—has never been more urgent or complex.
Leading voices like Jeffrey Cummings, a neurologist deeply engaged in dementia research, emphasize the importance of practical resources such as The 36-Hour Day, a guide that has supported families through Alzheimer’s challenges for decades. TV host and Alzheimer's advocate Leeza Gibbons champions Surviving Alzheimer's for its clear, compassionate caregiving advice, while leadership expert Ken Blanchard highlights Raising an Aging Parent as essential for navigating family dynamics in eldercare. Their insights reflect a blend of medical expertise, personal experience, and thoughtful guidance.
While these expert-curated books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific caregiving circumstances, health goals, or family situations might consider creating a personalized Geriatrics book that builds on these insights with custom advice and focused strategies. This approach can help bridge general knowledge to your unique journey in aging and caregiving.
Recommended by Jeffrey Cummings
Neurologist and dementia researcher
“We yearn for the day when there is no Alzheimer's, no Alzheimer patients, and no Alzheimer caregivers. Until then, there is The 36-Hour Day.”
by Nancy L. Mace, Peter V. Rabins··You?
by Nancy L. Mace, Peter V. Rabins··You?
When Nancy L. Mace and Peter V. Rabins penned this guide, their decades of clinical and advisory experience with dementia shaped a resource that goes beyond basics. You’ll find detailed insights into managing Alzheimer’s from early symptoms through advanced stages, including chapters on caregiver burnout, home care aides, and emerging therapies. The book balances medical explanations with compassionate guidance, helping you understand not just what to do but why it matters. It’s particularly suited for family members and professionals seeking a realistic, informed approach to dementia care, bearing in mind the emotional and practical challenges involved.
Recommended by Leeza Gibbons
TV host and Alzheimer's advocate
“Fantastic!”
by Paula Spencer Scott··You?
by Paula Spencer Scott··You?
Paula Spencer Scott's decades of experience as a caregiver educator and Alzheimer's advocate shaped this guide, born from her personal encounters with dementia in five family members. You learn to decode behaviors like wandering and aggression with clear explanations and practical techniques, including how to ease family tensions and foster cooperation. The book’s "Why-This, Try-This" approach offers specific, confidence-building solutions drawn from doctors and social workers, especially useful in challenging caregiving moments such as resistance to bathing or communication breakdowns. If you’re deeply involved in caregiving or preparing for this role, Scott’s insights can help you navigate the emotional and practical complexities without losing yourself.
by TailoredRead AI·
This tailored book explores the multifaceted field of geriatrics with a focus on your individual interests and caregiving challenges. It covers essential aspects of elder health, family support, and caregiving dynamics, offering a personalized pathway through complex expert knowledge. By addressing your specific goals and background, the book reveals insights into managing aging-related health issues and navigating family roles effectively. Its tailored content synthesizes a wide range of geriatric care topics, from medical considerations to emotional support, ensuring a comprehensive understanding that matches your unique caregiving situation. This personalized guide fosters a deeper grasp of the subject, empowering you to make informed decisions and provide compassionate care.
Recommended by Michael Osterholm
Regents Professor, Public Health University of Minnesota
“I wish someone had written this amazing book 15 years ago and had made it required reading. I could not put Man Overboard! down. This book was written for me and all the other aging men by a wise and brilliant physician who I have come to trust due to his factual and humorous approach to coaching me through my aging health journey. This book provides a roadmap for all of us who have ignored the reality of growing old and what that means for us, our families, our friends, colleagues and even our healthcare team.”
by Dr. Craig Bowron MD FACP··You?
by Dr. Craig Bowron MD FACP··You?
Dr. Craig Bowron’s medical expertise and experience teaching at the University of Minnesota shape this engaging guide for men navigating the health challenges of aging. Rather than a dry medical text, it offers a clear, often humorous look at topics like andropause, heart disease risks, and managing weight, with chapters such as “Sexercise” and “Move It or Lose It” that break down complex health issues into understandable, memorable advice. You’ll find practical insights on everything from stress management to prostate health, designed for men who want straightforward, medically sound information without jargon. This book suits men over 40 ready to take control of their health with a bit of levity and a lot of authority.
Recommended by Lisa Gwyther
Director of Duke Family Support Program
“Is It Alzheimer's? offers honest answers and positive bottom-line approaches to tough decisions and questions. Dr. Rabins' unique book will have you read every word!”
by Peter V. Rabins··You?
Peter V. Rabins, with decades leading geriatric psychiatry at Johns Hopkins, draws on his deep clinical experience to tackle the confusion surrounding memory loss in this concise guide. Through 101 clear questions and answers, you gain practical insights into distinguishing normal aging from dementia, understanding diagnostic processes, and navigating care options. The book's chapters on risk factors and treatment convey what current science supports without overpromising, while sections on caregiver support address emotional realities. If you face Alzheimer's concerns personally or professionally, this book offers straightforward clarity rather than medical jargon or false hope.
Recommended by Sharon Salzberg
New York Times bestselling author
“In Dancing with Elephants, Jarem Sawatsky offers a powerful example of the art of real happiness. This inspiring story reminds us just how essential it is to bring lovingkindness into every step of life.”
by Jarem Sawatsky··You?
After facing a terminal diagnosis himself, Jarem Sawatsky channeled his experience into crafting a mindfulness guide tailored for those living with dementia, chronic illness, or cognitive decline. You learn specific practices to nurture emotional healing and resilience, illustrated through his candid stories and interviews with compassion experts like Jon Kabat-Zinn. The book offers ways to transform pain into renewed spirit, making it a thoughtful companion for individuals confronting incurable conditions as well as their caregivers. If you’re seeking methods to maintain joy and presence despite serious health challenges, this book provides grounded insights without sugarcoating the difficulties.
by TailoredRead AI·
This personalized AI-created book explores a 30-day plan to enhance both physical and emotional well-being for seniors, tailored specifically to your background and goals. It covers daily actionable steps that address common geriatric challenges such as mobility, nutrition, mental health, and caregiver support. The content focuses on building sustainable habits and improving quality of life through approaches that resonate with your unique caregiving situation and interests. By matching expert knowledge to your specific needs, this book offers a pathway that’s both accessible and meaningful, helping you navigate the complexities of senior wellness with confidence and care.
by Michael Smith, Nathalie Seaton··You?
When Michael Smith first noticed how many seniors struggled with simple movements, he decided to create a practical guide tailored to those over 60 who want to regain their flexibility and ease joint pain. This book offers over 40 carefully illustrated stretching exercises, designed specifically to improve mobility and reduce stiffness without requiring special equipment. You’ll learn to avoid common stretching mistakes that hinder progress and discover routines that support everyday activities like gardening or shopping. If you want straightforward, manageable stretches that help you move more confidently and comfortably, this book lays out exactly how to do it safely and effectively.
Recommended by Publisher's Weekly
“Berman (Making It as a Stepparent) here offers an empathetic guide to caring for elderly parents. Drawing from personal experience, research and anecdotal reports, she cogently addresses the emotional and physical problems involved, all the while emphasizing the importance of caring for oneself. Following the overview delivered in introductory chapters, Berman examines such specific areas as financing, trying to care for needy parents long-distance, sharing the care among siblings and coping with loss. Keeping a clear eye on the emotional component, which is inevitably involved in decisions in which children become responsible for their parents, Berman delivers sensible advice and practical help. Appendices include a Caregiver's Bill of Rights; lists of support organizations, including state departments on aging, with addresses and phone numbers; a bibliography; and a suggested reading list.”
by Claire Berman··You?
Drawing from her personal caregiving journey and extensive research, Claire Berman developed a guide that tackles the emotional and logistical challenges children face when caring for aging parents. You learn how to navigate complex topics like long-distance caregiving, financing elder care, and managing sibling dynamics, all while maintaining your own well-being. The book’s chapters, such as those on setting boundaries and coping with grief, offer concrete frameworks and resources like the Caregiver's Bill of Rights. If you're balancing the demands of caregiving with your own life, this book provides clear-headed advice without sugarcoating the emotional toll involved.
by Baz Thompson, Britney Lynch··You?
by Baz Thompson, Britney Lynch··You?
Baz Thompson, founder of EZB Fitness and a CYQ Master Personal Trainer, brings his extensive experience working with seniors and athletes to this focused guide on osteoporosis-friendly exercise. You’ll learn specific routines—like the 24 exercises to enhance flexibility and balance, and 36 for heart health and posture—that target the unique needs of aging bones and muscles. Chapters also offer a four-week plan adaptable to your pace, helping you rebuild strength and confidence safely. This book suits anyone over 55 keen on regaining mobility and reducing fracture risk through practical, manageable workouts.
Recommended by Ken Blanchard
Best-selling author and leadership expert
“After reading Ken Druck's fabulous new book, we're buying copies for our adult children and grandkids inscribed with the words, ...because we love you with all our hearts.”
by Ken Druck··You?
by Ken Druck··You?
What if everything you knew about caring for aging parents was wrong? Ken Druck, a recognized expert in family dynamics and courageous living, offers a guide that moves beyond typical caregiving manuals. You learn how to navigate sibling conflicts, communicate with resistant parents, and create a balanced approach between caregiving and self-care, with practical frameworks like the "Six Honorings" to help process loss. This book benefits adult children facing the emotional and logistical challenges of aging parents, especially those seeking to transform family tensions into deeper connections and lasting legacies.
Recommended by Pam Palmater
Indigenous education and sovereignty advocate
“Congratulations André Picard. This is truly a powerful book on a profoundly important issue of basic human rights for our elders.” (from X)
by Andre Picard··You?
When André Picard first uncovered the harsh realities behind Canada's eldercare system during the pandemic, he revealed decades of neglect and systemic failure in long-term care homes. You gain a clear-eyed view of how institutionalization became the norm and why it often leads to isolation and inadequate care. Picard offers detailed critiques of issues like overmedication, understaffing, and lack of oversight, while advocating for community-based aging solutions and better support for caregivers. This book suits anyone interested in healthcare policy, elder advocacy, or social justice, offering insights grounded in frontline reports and policy analysis.
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Recommended by leading geriatrics experts and caregivers worldwide
Conclusion
These ten Geriatrics books illuminate key aspects of aging—from managing dementia and physical health to navigating the emotional terrain of caregiving families. If you're facing the challenge of supporting a loved one with Alzheimer’s, starting with The 36-Hour Day and Surviving Alzheimer's offers practical, compassionate guidance. For men grappling with health changes, Man Overboard! blends medical wisdom with humor to empower aging gracefully.
For rapid improvements in mobility and bone health, combining Stretching Exercises for Seniors over 60 with Exercise for Better Bones provides actionable routines tailored to seniors. If family dynamics weigh heavily, Raising an Aging Parent and Caring for Yourself While Caring for Your Aging Parents deliver frameworks to foster resilience and communication.
Alternatively, you can create a personalized Geriatrics book to bridge the gap between general principles and your specific situation. These books can help you accelerate your learning journey, offering clarity, support, and practical steps to face aging with confidence and compassion.
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?
Begin with The 36-Hour Day if dementia care is your focus, as it provides a solid foundation. For caregiving strategies, Surviving Alzheimer's offers practical tips. Your starting point depends on your immediate needs and experience level.
Are these books too advanced for someone new to Geriatrics?
Not at all. Many books, like Is It Alzheimer's?, explain complex topics in accessible language, making them suitable for beginners and family caregivers without medical backgrounds.
What's the best order to read these books?
Consider your priorities. Start with condition-specific guides like The 36-Hour Day or Man Overboard! then explore broader caregiving and wellness books to build a comprehensive understanding.
Do I really need to read all of these, or can I just pick one?
You can certainly focus on the books most relevant to your situation. Each book stands alone with valuable insights, but together they provide a well-rounded perspective on geriatrics.
Which book gives the most actionable advice I can use right away?
Surviving Alzheimer's and Stretching Exercises for Seniors over 60 offer clear, practical strategies you can implement immediately to support caregiving and physical health.
How can I get personalized guidance tailored to my specific caregiving or health situation?
Personalized books can complement expert recommendations by focusing on your unique needs and goals. They help translate general advice into actionable steps. Try creating a personalized Geriatrics book to get tailored support for your journey.
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