Elder Care San Francisco: Talking to Kids About Alzheimers Disease
How to Tell Your Kids About a Grandparent’s Alzheimer’s Disease
What children need to understand about Alzheimer’s
By Paula Spencer Scott
If you have a parent, other family member, or close friend who has Alzheimer’s disease or some other form of dementia, it affects not only you; it has an impact on your children, too. The time Grandma blanked on your son’s name? Those overheard long, worried phone conversations with your family about your aunt?
Kids notice more than we give them credit for. They may not understand exactly what’s wrong, or they might mishear “Alzheimer’s” as “old timer’s” disease, but they deserve being included in the situation in an age-appropriate way.
The following suggestions for filling in your kids come from Joyce Simard, a geriatric consultant in Land O’ Lakes, Florida, who self-published a children’s book called The Magic Tape Recorder: A Story About Growing Up and Growing Down.
You can adapt these suggestions to the age of your children.
Explain Alzheimer’s in ways your children can understand
Alzheimer’s is a big word that may not mean much to kids, and “disease” can sound like something catching (which it isn’t). So simplify: “Grandma has a memory problem.” Or, “George has a disease that is sort of like if you had a tape recorder in your head, but the tape recorder is turned off. When he was younger, the tape recorder was on, so he remembers a lot of things from his past.”
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At ComForcare, we recognize that there are many reasons why a loved one may need elder care. From seniors with Alzheimer’s Disease needing in home care, to caregivers needing respite care, we are here to provide quality and affordable elder care in Palm Springs, CA and the surrounding communities. Call us for information, 760.898.0000
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