Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Announces New Educational Tool to Teach Children About Alzheimer’s Disease
Gardening With Grandma: An Alzheimer’s Story for Children and Their Families Available for Families in English and Spanish
(March 14, 2024)— The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) announced a new educational tool to help adults discuss Alzheimer’s disease with young children in an age-appropriate way. Gardening with Grandma: An Alzheimer’s Story for Children and Their Families is an educational children’s book created by AFA as a resource for adults. The book is available in English and Spanish through AFA’s e-store at shop.alzfdn.org.
“When Alzheimer’s enters a family’s life, it often brings many questions—children especially may not understand what is happening or why their loved one is behaving a certain way,” said AFA President & CEO Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. “This educational tool gives adults a way to explain Alzheimer’s disease to a child in an age-appropriate way, help them understand brain changes, provide tips on how to engage with their loved ones, answer questions and show them that love is a bond that Alzheimer’s can never break.”
Gardening with Grandma is designed to be a teaching tool adults can use to have a conversation with a child about Alzheimer’s disease. The book follows 8-year-old Luke’s learning experience as he finds new ways to connect with his grandmother who has Alzheimer’s disease. Grandma, who is early in her diagnosis, is able to share with him that even though she has a disease that affects her memory and behavior, she still loves him. The story unfolds as Luke adjusts to her move to a new home with more support.
Gardening with Grandma also includes a special message to adults to help them have meaningful, age-appropriate conversations with a child when a special person in their life has Alzheimer’s, including guidance on how to initiate the conversation, sample questions to ask the child, and tips to help them better understand. AFA’s Helpline, staffed entirely by licensed social workers and available seven days a week, can also provide information about discussing Alzheimer’s disease with a child or assistance with other Alzheimer’s-related questions. The Helpline can be reached by phone at 866-232-8484, web chat at www.alzfdn.org or text message at 646-586-5283. The web chat and text messages features can serve individuals in more than 90 languages.
“Young children, in particular, may sense something is amiss when a family member has Alzheimer’s, but may not be able to understand the subtle changes that are occurring early on in the disease progression,” said Jennifer Reeder, LCSW, AFA’s Director of Educational & Social Services. “Reading this book together with your child and having a conversation can help make them more understanding and compassionate, less fearful, and ultimately learn new ways to communicate with their loved one.”
Gardening with Grandma: An Alzheimer’s Story for Children and Their Families is available for purchase through AFA’s e-store at shop.alzfdn.org in both English and Spanish. Proceeds go toward AFA’s programs, services, and research toward a more effective treatment/cure for Alzheimer’s disease.
