Our New Year’s Reading List
These relevant releases will inspire you as we head into 2026
By Meg Herndon
The Traumatic Loss Workbook: Powerful Skills for Navigating the Grief Caused by a Sudden or Unexpected Death
By Jennifer R. Levin
The unexpected death of a loved one is a traumatic, life-altering experience. If you’ve experienced a sudden loss, your life becomes instantly unrecognizable. In addition to the overwhelming shock, pain, sadness and grief, you may now feel unsafe in the world, out of control, or unable to carry out basic daily tasks. Additionally, it can be challenging to get the support you need. But you are not alone.
The Traumatic Loss Workbook offers an integrative approach drawing on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), emotional regulation skills, mindfulness techniques and narrative therapy to support you through the grief process, so you can move forward after the sudden or unexpected death of a loved one. You’ll also find strategies for dealing with sudden “grief attacks,” and learn how to navigate common emotional triggers such as holidays, birthdays or anniversaries. Finally, you’ll discover skills to help you cope with the deeply emotional and traumatic aspects of your grief—now and in the future.
The Parkinson's Plan: A New Path to Prevention and Treatment
By Ray Dorsey and Michael S. Okun
In The Parkinson’s Plan, two doctors on the cutting edge of Parkinson’s research detail the steps necessary to prevent, slow and treat this debilitating condition. They show readers how to prevent the disease through the food we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe and the lifestyles we live. They introduce the “Parkinson’s 25,” a checklist with steps to lower the risk of Parkinson’s. Dorsey and Okun interview scientists, clinicians and thought leaders in the Parkinson’s field to offer a detailed plan for treatment.
The Parkinson’s Plan takes the next step in winning the battle against Parkinson’s, presenting a road map with the strategies and tactics necessary to create a world where the disease is increasingly rare and the treatments are more successful.
Caring with Dignity: A Caregiver's Guide to Incontinence
By Michele Mongillo
Are you caring for a loved one who’s having accidents, leaking or struggling with bladder or bowel control? Millions of families face the daily challenges of incontinence, whether it’s an aging parent, a spouse or a child with special needs. Often overlooked and misunderstood, incontinence can be one of the most stressful and isolating parts of caregiving. In fact, it is frequently the tipping point for nursing home admission for older adults—not because it’s untreatable, but because family caregivers simply don’t have the tools or support to manage it confidently at home.
"Caring with Dignity" is here to change that. Written by experienced nurse and clinical educator Michele Mongillo, this guide offers compassionate, practical and easy-to-understand advice for navigating incontinence care. No medical background needed, just real-life tips.
Inside, you’ll find:
- Ways to help your loved one stay comfortable and confident at home and on the go
- Easy-to-follow steps for handling leaks, accidents and bathroom routines
- Practical advice for daily living, including choosing the right products, nutrition, fall prevention, traveling with incontinence and memory challenges
- Special guidance for caring for children with incontinence beyond potty training
- Tips for keeping skin healthy and preventing skin alterations
- Support for caregivers: how to cope, where to find support, and advice for navigating difficult conversations
Long-Term Care Insurance Made Simple: A Clear and Practical Guide for Every Stage of Life
By Hazan Alon
"Long-Term Care Insurance Made Simple" breaks down a complex subject often full of jargon. It explains what long-term care includes and presents actual costs, providing you with the key details to help you make informed decisions about your care. It also offers tools for early preparation, so you can act confidently when it counts most.
This book has tools to guide you on your long-term care insurance journey, including:
- Grasp the differences between traditional long-term care insurance, life insurance with long-term care and annuity insurance with long-term care in a clear way.
- Figure out how many benefits you need for long-term care and the best duration for it.
- Uncover common pitfalls, hidden exclusions and powerful riders that can make a difference.
- Enjoy checklists, summaries and straightforward definitions in every chapter to keep things simple.
- Multiple small examples are used to emphasize key topics, complemented with illustrations that highlight essential information.
Written by Hazan Alon, an insurance specialist with more than 20 years of experience, this book tackles real-world questions. It offers practical insights, relatable case studies and handy tools for immediate implementation.
Surviving Dementia Caregiver Burnout: Practical Strategies for Families Caring for Loved Ones with Alzheimer's and Memory Loss
By John Albrecht and Tania Albrecht
Caring for someone with dementia can leave you feeling exhausted, heartbroken and alone—but it doesn’t have to. Whether you’re a family member, friend or respite caregiver, this book offers proven tools, compassionate strategies and heartfelt wisdom to help you navigate the challenges of dementia with confidence, reduce stress and find peace—even on the hardest days.
Inside this book, you’ll find:
- Understanding Dementia: Learn about the different stages of dementia and how to anticipate and respond to changes.
- Practical Caregiving Strategies: Everyday tips for communication, managing behaviors, creating a calm environment and handling difficult moments with patience and empathy.
- Emotional Support: Guidance on coping with caregiver stress, grief and guilt while finding joy in small victories.
- Navigating Health Care & Resources: How to work effectively with professionals, access community help and plan for long-term care.
- Self-Care for Caregivers: Why caring for yourself isn’t selfish but essential to prevent burnout.
Written with warmth and deep understanding, “Surviving Dementia Caregiver Burnout” is for those walking the demanding but meaningful path of caregiving—without losing yourself in the process.
