How to explain to children what Alzheimer's is
Alzheimer's disease is still very difficult to understand for adults closest to the patient, so for children it can be a serious blow. It is not easy to understand why now we have to take care of the grandfather when it has always been he who took care of everything. It is not easy for a child to un
Alzheimer's diseaseis still very difficult to understand for adults closest to the patient, so for children it can be a serious blow. It is not easy to understand why now we have to take care of the grandfather when it has always been he who took care of everything. It is not easy for a child to understand why his grandfather, who used to adore him, now does not even remember his name. And it is not easy to explain to the child what Alzheimer's is, but you have to do it.Explain Alzheimer's to children
When the child begins to be aware of the changes that occur in the grandfather, of his strange behavior, of his loss of faculties, of his progressive deterioration, it is necessary to explain to him what it is that It happens to grandpa. The grandfather has Alzheimer's, a
disease that causes the brain to forget things. It is very important to make the child see that his grandfather is not crazy even though he is behaving strangely, that he has to be very careful because he does not remember where he lives and he forgets to run errands. You may forget how to dress. Nothing happens because the time has come to have to take care of the grandfather, after a whole life in which he has taken care of us.
That the grandfather has Alzheimer's, does not mean that the child can no longer spend time with him. Things have changed, but he is still his grandfather and the child can share with him simple tasks that do not involve responsibility, like watering the plants, or walking hand in hand when you go out together for a walk. It is also advisable to reinforce in the child the idea that his grandfather has not stopped loving him, but now he is sick and needs his presence more than ever. The important thing is that the child continues to consider his grandfather as a fundamental figure in the family. Keep in mind that children imitate the behavior of adults. If you see that the adults in the family are still very fond of the grandfather, the child will also. Between all you can make the weight of this disease more bearable, if you take the situation with naturalness
and you transmit
security to the child. Laura Vélez. Editor of Guiainfantil.com