Always My Grandpa: A Story for Children About Alzheimer’s Disease

Always My Grandpa gently prepares school-age children for the eventual changes that come with Alzheimers disease by providing age-appropriate information about its symptoms and progress. Daniel and his mom spend every summer with his Grandpa at a cottage by the sea. Daniel loves these summer visits: playing baseball walking on the beach watching the sunset and hearing Grandpas stories of his fishing boat. As the summer passes Grandpa begins to change. Daniel learns that since Grandpa has Alzheimers disease he will have trouble remembering all the things that belong to himhis clothes his words his memoriesand eventually his own grandson. When a grandparent or other loved one develops Alzheimers disease children almost always struggle with confusion. In addition they are often afraid angry or embarrassed by the sometimes odd and unpredictable behavior they may witness. Always My Grandpa helps children maintain their connection with a loved family member by emphasizing the importance of remembering his or her unique lasting qualities. A comprehensive afterword is included for parents that describes the psychological issues confronting the child suggests helpful ways to talk about feelings and stressors and provides a brief overview of the disease and a list of additional resources.