Sunday, September 9 commemmorates National Grandparents’ Day.  How are you celebrating this occasion? 
Sometimes we feel it doesn’t matter if we celebrate holidays and special occasions with family members who have Alzheimer’s. 
“They don’t know what day it is.  So what does it matter?” we often hear commented or may even say ourselves.
However, just the fact you made them feel special, took time to visit (if they don’t live with you) or arranged a celebration often brings a smile, a story, a comment that lets you know they do care, even when they can’t express it too well.  Also, it may …read more

Following the posts on ‘Explaining Alzheimer’s Disease to Young Children Through Books’ and ‘Children Talk About Alzheimer’s Disease’, I decided to find out what’s available on the internet to help children understand Alzheimer’s disease.
As you would expect, there are a number of articles available aimed at parents:
Alzheimer’s: Helping Children Understand the Disease. (Mayo Clinic)
Helping Teens Cope with Alzheimer’s Disease (Alzheimer’s Association)
Alzheimer’s in the Family: How Parents Can Help Children Cope.
Parent’s Guide: Helping Children and Teens Understand Alzheimer’s Disease. (Alzheimer’s Association)
But there are also resources available for children and teens that will help them learn and understand Alzheimer’s Disease and how …read more

Here’s a video well worth watching. Filmed by the grandson of an Alzheimer’s patient, it show the face of Alzheimer’s disease in a humorous, factual, and heart touching way.

“Mary, why don’t you write something about Alzheimer’s for children?” a friend asked.  “There’s so little to help children understand why Grandma is the way she is.” 
Our mothers had Alzheimer’s and resided in the same nursing home.  My friend’s children and grandchildren had difficulty seeing Grandma in this condition.
I haven’t written any books on the topic, although I’ve done many articles and a chapter in my book. (See previous post.)  However, I keep on the lookout for books children can read or have read to them that will help them when their grandparents or great grandparents experience Alzheimer’s or a similar condition.
Two are …read more