Helping Children to Understand Grandpa's Alzheimer's

When it comes to Alzheimer’s, the grandchildren of the patient are usually the ones who suffer the most. Because of their lack of experience with tragedy, children tend to blame themselves for the bad things happening around them. Keep in mind that even though their train of thought could be based off of illogical conclusions, it doesn't stop them from perceiving the pain their grandparent is experiencing, and feel guilty for it as well. 

The fact that grandpa, who was once gentle and loving (who sometimes slipped some lose change into his grandchildren’s pockets), is now irritable and (sometimes) violent, might come as shocking to children who have no way of actually understanding their condition. Luckily, children are easily influenced by the ways their parents deal with daily difficulties, and they can learn plenty by watching them interact with ill family members. However, since each child is unique, no two of them will deal with their family’s disease in the same way.

There will come a time to explain grandpa's disease to your children, and we can promise you that it won't be easy. But, if your children have even just a basic understanding of the disease, they will better understand their grandparent's behavior. 

Alzheimer’s is one of the most common types of dementia that is present in nearly 60 to 70 percent of cases, and usually manifesting during the person’s golden years. It is a neurodegenerative disease, which means that the symptoms progressively get worse over time. As a lifelong disease, it forces the patient and their family to adapt to it, and eventually the patient ends up becoming fully dependent on others to live and perform the most basic of tasks.

Alzheimer’s is a disease that completely morphs the family dynamic, as the brothers, sons, and daughters of the patient will frequently need to plan out their schedule with the disease in mind. And if the symptoms progress, some families even opt to hire a third-party caregiver, since the transition can be overwhelming. 

Regardless of the method that the family chooses, Alzheimer’s will inadvertently modify the family’s interactions with the patient, which can particularly affect children who aren't sure of how to react, as they might not be old enough to understand the causes, or ramification of the condition affecting grandpa or grandma. When it comes to dementia, in general, the changes that the disease brings about are often sudden and can take most families by surprise. For example, those that suffer from dementia as a result of an accident, or due to the side-effects of a medical procedure are the ones that must adapt the fastest, since the symptoms will surface very quickly and without warning.