How to explain Alzheimer's to children

It is a moment that nobody wants, but sometimes arrives irremediably. If an adult finds it difficult to understand and understand that their mother, father or grandparents suddenly have "gaps" in their memory, How to explain to a child that the same person does not know who they are? Sometimes the process of alzheimer they are longer, in others shorter, but always very painful for family members.

A person is many things, but mainly his memory: his experiences, his lessons learned and then transmitted to his family, What happens when all that is diluted in a sea of ​​incomprehension and forgetfulness? Coinciding with the World Alzheimer's Day, September 21, we give you some clues that will help you explain this disease to children.


Children and old age

The Alzheimer's is a neurodegenerative disease which manifests as cognitive impairment and behavioral disorders, causing problems with memory, the character of the person and his way of thinking. Although most cases occur in older people, it is not a natural way of aging.

The psychologist Raquel Cuevas and the psychiatrist Pilar de Azpiazu explain in the portal 'Todo memoria' that nowadaysChildren have a negative image of the aging process, something that is given, in part, by the desire for protection that parents have when we educate them. However, if the child is exposed to all phases of life, including illness and death, "this experience will provide you with the intellectual and emotional resources to face your own life".


This is entirely related to the Alzheimer's, a disease sadly present in our day to day and which is very likely that children face, making it necessary that your educators are prepared to talk about it. Approaching the topic will depend, logically, on the age of the child, but should always be based on a maxim: respect for the elderly.

Explain Alzheimer's to children between 4 and 7 years

"Respect for people has to remain a warmth that we want to instill in children," insist these experts, who recommend that at this age the important thing is make it clear to the child that the grandfather has a disease and that is the reason that their behavior is different.

Therefore, they explain that we can not allow the child "to associate dementia with a manifestation of insanity, since the innocence of children can make them comment that can hurt a sick person", as can be the grandfather, who despite his illness still realizes what is happening around him.


Although the child is very small, sHe can talk to him about how much we need memory. "It can help you understand that memory is what allows us to have memories and that we store them in the brain," the experts say, adding that when children are around six they can be explained, "very briefly and graphic "how memory works and what neurons are.

Talk about the azheimer with a child of eight to 12 years

The way to approach this topic with a child between eight and 12 years old is totally different, beginning because, probably, he is the one who asks "with more clarity and without detours" what's wrong with grandpa or to another older person you know. "If this happens, it is advisable give an explanation as clear and complete as possible", indicate the experts on the matter, who advise" to make him understand how the disease affects the life of the family and, above all, of the person who takes care of him ".

Since at this age his capacity for understanding is greater, he can already be explained how neurons work - for which parents can use didactic materials and games -, which will allow you to realize the difficulties that the person with this disease has.

These experts recommend play games with children that allow them to put themselves in the skin of the sick. For example, patients often forget the name and function of objects, so an activity could be to cover the eyes of children and make them recognize everyday objects: they will live in their own skin part of a person's day to day with Alzheimer's

When the child and grandpa have a closer relationship the suffering of the child to see that his ascendant does not behave the same will multiply, because it will be very difficult to understand why his grandfather ignores him, is aggressive, apathetic, and so on. In these cases it is especially importantand talk to the little one and dedicate time so that he understands that the grandfather has not stopped loving him.

Alzheimer's for children from 13 to 18 years

With these ages the children will have already learned in the Institute how the brain works and it is very likely that they have even studied some degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.If parents have managed to "instill in their son respect for the elderly, will have more capacity to face the drama of the disease that the family lives", indicate these experts.

Although a patient with these characteristics requires a lot of time and dedication and this can be difficult to reconcile with the education of a teenager, they recommend involve the young person in the care of the grandfather: that I put the slippers and the dressing gown, that comb or simply keep him company show him pictures of friends and family or important places in his life.

"Treat the adolescent as a person whose opinion counts and their collaboration is valuable helps to alleviate the inevitable tension of a family with an Alzheimer's patient ", say Cuevas and Azpiazu, who also recommend the adolescent's help with a second objective: to form their sense of responsibility and respect towards the elderly and other dependents.

Angela R. Bonachera

Video: Kids Meet a Woman with Alzheimer's | Cut


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