[null, {"document_url": "http://www.healthycellsmagazine.com/articles/helping-kids-understand-alzheimer-s-disease", "unformatted_src": "http://cdn.agilitycms.com/healthy-cells-magazine/Images/Articles/BHC/1018-bloomington/1018_BHC_reflections.jpg", "src": "http://cdn.agilitycms.com/healthy-cells-magazine/Images/Articles/BHC/1018-bloomington/1018_BHC_reflections.jpg", "formatted_filename": "BHC reflections"}, null, null]


Helping Kids Understand Alzheimerâs Disease
 Submitted by Reflections Memory Care

When a family member has Alzheimerâs disease, it affects everyone in the family, including children and grandchildren. Itâs important to talk to them about what is happening. How much, and what kind of, information you share depends on the childâs age, and relationship to the person with Alzheimerâs.

Helping kids cope
Here are some tips to help kids understand what is happening:
Talk with kids about their concerns and feelings. Some may not talk about their negative feelings, but you may see changes in how they act. Problems at school, with friends, or at home can be a sign that they are upset. A school counselor or social worker can help your child understand what is happening and learn how to cope.

A teenager might find it hard to accept how the person with Alzheimerâs has changed. He or she may find the changes upsetting or embarrassing, and not want to be around the person. Donât force them to spend time with the person who has Alzheimerâs. This could make things worse. Give children information about Alzheimerâs thatthey can understand.

Spending time together and alone
Itâs important to show kids that they can still talk with the person with Alzheimerâs disease, and help him or her enjoy activities. Doing fun things together can help both the child and the person with Alzheimerâs Here are some things they might do:
If the stress of living with someone who has Alzheimerâs disease becomes too great, think about placing the person with Alzheimerâs into a respite care facility. Then, both you and your kids can get a much-needed break.

To learn more about the Villas of Holly Brook, and Reflections Memory Care, please visit villasofhollybrook.com, reflectionsmemorycare.net, or call 855-20-VILLA (855-208-4552). Join us for a personal tour and stay for lunch.