In dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and its effect on the entire family, children are often the first to notice behavior changes. Caregivers may initially prefer not to mention the diagnosis to young ones, as they are busy themselves trying to understand the disease and organize the care plan. The good news is, the resources for helping children cope with a family member’s memory loss and unexpected behavorial changes have never been better. It’s important to take the time to talk to children and teens about the effects of Alzheimer’s, so they know what to expect and understand what’s happening to their loved one both mentally and physically.
When the progression of Alzheimer’s leads to bladder control issues or the need for adult incontinence products, it’s often difficult for the affected person to remain discreet and it may become necessary to educate the family on the personal care aspect of Alzheimer’s.
The Alzheimer’s Association now offers a Just For Kids and Teens section on their website with helpful resources from book recommendations to videos. Here’s a featured educational YouTube video called “Kids Look at Alzheimer’s Disease: What Can I Expect and How Can I Deal With It?”
