Teaching children about Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is getting a lot of attention: Between the media, the work being done by the Alzheimer’s Association, and new Hollywood movies like “St. Vincent” and “Still Alice,” awareness of the disease is increasing. More than 5 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s disease. Every 67 seconds someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s, and it’s the sixth leading cause of death in our country.

Alzheimer’s disease affects the whole family. Today, there are more than 15 million Alzheimer’s disease caregivers in the U.S., and some of them are children. It’s important to talk with children early, when parents, grandparents, relatives or friends are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

As we know, children deal with feelings and reactions differently. They process things differently and often need help understanding what is happening to someone and why. At the same time, children may be sad about changes in a loved one’s personality or behavior, or confused or afraid about why the person behaves differently. They may even worry that the disease is contagious and that they will get it.

There are many ways to help children cope. Make sure you are offering comfort, support and providing opportunities for them to express their feelings. Education is power. Be sure to explain the disease and provide them opportunities to ask questions.

I believe visiting someone with Alzheimer’s is extremely important. Each visit may be different, and there will be good days and bad days, but a visit allows a child to see that their loved one is being cared for and allows the child a way to express themselves. Children often bring class work or artwork they made especially for their grandparent or loved one. The Alzheimer’s Association is a wonderful resource for helping children cope with Alzheimer’s. There are also several books that provide great stories to read with your children.

“What’s Happening to Grandpa?” by Maria Shriver is a great book to share with children. Shriver and illustrator Sandra Spiegel tell a heartwarming story about a young girl named Kate. When her normally upbeat grandpa becomes irritable and begins forgetting things, Kate wonders if this is more than just old age. A talk with her mother reveals that Grandpa has a difficult illness that nobody understands; the only thing to do, says Mom, is to “support Grandma and just keep on loving and respecting Grandpa the way we always have.”

If your children are impacted by Alzheimer’s disease, start with a conversation of reassurance and understanding. Once they better understand the disease, you may be surprised about how supportive, loving and patient they are with their loved ones suffering from the disease.

The Alzheimer’s Association is hosting a free dinner discussion, “Helping Children and Teens Understand Alzheimer’s,” on Jan. 20 at 6 p.m. at Barton House. Call 615-673-6922 to register.

Elizabeth Masic is executive director of Barton House, Nashville’s first and only dedicated memory care residence, located at 6961 U.S. Highway 70 South. Visit www.bartonhousetn.com to learn more.