Writing a Book for Children About Alzheimer’s
Families often wonder how to help children and grandchildren cope when a family member becomes afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease. How does one explain that the elder person may not recognize them, may not remember how to do simple tasks, and may develop a different personality.
“Mary, why don’t you write a book to help children understand Alzheimer’s?” a friend asked, after mentioning that she was having difficulty explaining why their grandmother acted differently nowadays.
I’d written a book for adults, When We Become the Parent to Our Parents, (soon to be expanded and updated). So after this suggestion, I’ve begun jotting down ideas for a book about Alzheimer’s for children.
Perhaps my grandchildren, who visited my mother with me in the nursing home for several years, can help me with this project. They can recall their feelings and describe them to other children. Kara and Alex enjoyed their visits to see Great Grandma Dee Dee.
Once when Kara was asked why she liked to visit a grandmother who didn’t recognize her, Kara replied, “Because it makes Grandma Dee Dee happy.”
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POSTED IN: Alzheimer's/Books, Alzheimer's/Family History, Alzheimer's/General, Alzheimer's/Personal Caregiving Experiences
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