Print this page E-mail this page

Helping children and teens

Children often experience a wide range of emotions when a parent or grandparent has Alzheimers disease. Younger children may be fearful that they will get the disease or that they did something to cause it. Teenagers may become resentful if they must take on more responsibilities or feel embarrassed that their parent or grandparent is different. College-bound children may be reluctant to leave home.

*Reassure young children that they cannot catch the disease from you.

*Be straightforward about personality and behavior changes. For example, you may forget things, such as their names, and say and do things that may embarrass them. Assure them that this is not their fault or intentional but a result of the disease.

*Find out what their emotional needs are and find ways to support them, such as meeting with a counselor who specializes in children who have a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimers.

*School social workers and teachers can be notified about what the children may be experiencing and be given information about the disease.

*Encourage children and teens to attend support group meetings and include them in counseling sessions.

*Record your thoughts, feelings and wisdom to "be with them" as they experience important events in their lives (graduations, dating, marriage, births and deaths).

*To help children and teens learn more about Alzheimer's disease and understand how it affects you and them, we have a special Kids & Teens section. It includes printed resources, book reviews and links to sites that explain how the brain works.