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8 books about care, old age and intellectual disability

Personas levantando libros
Feel like reading something new? Here’s a selection of books that relate to the topics we research at MICARE. We’ve also incorporated the recommendations we received through social media! Find out more about them in this article.

By Gabriela Campillo.


The Care Manifesto: The Politics of Interdependence. The Care Collective.

Foto del libro.

A short but important book, it calls for an understanding of the concept of caregiving at all levels of our lives and discusses what it implies.

Book recommended by MICARE Research Associate Andrés Aparicio. More information, here.


MOMO. Michael Ende. 

Foto del libro. Se ve una ilustración de un niño caminando junto a una tortuga por un pasillo lleno de relojes.
Image credits: Alfaguara

“It’s a young adult’s book that I really like because it teaches the importance of childhood and its characteristics, such as playing, being calm, enjoying everyday things, in a world in which we are racing against time. It sends a message about the importance of taking the time to be with others and enjoy being together,” says MICARE Research Associate Paulina Arango.

More information, here.


The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared. Jonas Jonasson.

Book cover photo
Image credits: Not Just Breathe

It tells the story of Allan Karlsson, who is on the eve of his 100th birthday and lives in a nursing home. While his neighbours are preparing a party to celebrate his birthday, Karlsson decides to jump out of his bedroom window because he doesn’t want to give up the pleasure of living.

Book recommended by MICARE Research Associate Beatriz Fernandez.

More information, here.


Who is doing care? Contributions around the social organization of care. Various authors.

Foto de las manos de una persona mayor tomando las manos de una persona más joven.

This book brings together a series of articles that highlight the often invisible reality of caregivers.

Book recommended by MICARE Alternate Director Marcela Tenorio. More information, here.


The care of older people in primary health care in time of COVID-19. Various authors.

Foto de una mujer mayor con mascarilla siendo vacunada por un profesional de la salud.

A relevant book that addresses the impact of the pandemic on elderly people, from the Latin American perspective in Brazil.

LBook recommended by MICARE Research Associate Alejandra Araya. Más información, aquí.


Active aging and intellectual disability. Patricia Navas, Sonja Uhlmann and Ana Berástegui.

Foto de dos adultos mayores con discapacidad intelectual.

This book describes the population of elderly people with intellectual disabilities and their aging processes, compiling current caregiving experiences for this group, and highlighting lines of action to improve their quality of life. Book recommended by MICARE Alternate Director Marcela Tenorio.

More information, here.


Care work: Dreaming Disability Justice. Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha

Foto de la portada del libro siendo levemente abierto y de fondo se ven plantas.
Image credits: Doris Duke Conservation Scholar Program Alumni Network

In this collection of essays, Lambda Award-winning writer, activist, and performance artist Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha explores the politics and realities of disability justice.

Book recommended by Constanza López Radrigán (@contilopezr) through Instagram. More information, here.


Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge. Mem Fox.

Coloured illustrations of the book.
Image credits: W is for Whale.

“Here’s a book my son and I read about the relationship of a child who lives next door to a senior citizens’ residence. It’s beautiful!”, recommends Francisca Campos Torrealba (@panchicampos) through Instagram.

More information, here.