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When
someone in your family has Alzheimer's disease
You
may have someone in your family who has Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's disease affects the person's brain. When people
have this disease, they forget, they get confused, they
have trouble speaking and taking care of themselves.
Scientists
don't know why people get Alzheimer's disease, but they
are working hard to find a cause so they can stop it
from happening.
You
can't get Alzheimer's disease from another person, like
the cold or the flu. Just because someone in your family
has the disease, it doesn't mean you will get it.
Alzheimer's disease is not a normal part of growing old. Most people
who have the disease are over 65 but sometimes (not very
often) people in their 40s and 50s get it too. As people
get older, their chances of developing the disease increases.
Word
Scramble
Unscramble
the words using the clues. |
NABIR
Alzheimer's disease affects the _ _ _ _ _ .
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F
G O E R T
People
with Alzheimer's disease _ _ _ _ _ _ .
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L
N R O A M
Alzheimer's disease is not a _ _ _ _ _ _ part of growing
old.
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U
A S C E
Scientists
are working hard to find the _ _ _ _ _ of Alzheimer's disease.
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People
with Alzheimer's disease may forget your name, see
or hear things that are not there, get lost, have trouble
sleeping or say the same things over and over. This
can cause them to become frustrated or nervous and
they may get angry with you for no reason. It is important
to know that they do not mean to treat you badly. It
is not your fault if the person gets upset. Alzheimer's disease makes the person act in this way.
Taking
care of someone with Alzheimer's disease is a hard job.
If your mom, dad or grandparent is taking care of someone
with the disease, they are probably very busy.
You
may find that they do not have as much time to spend
with you or when they do, they are too tired to do anything.
You may feel sad or angry about this. It is important
to remember that they still love you. Talk to your family,
a teacher or a trusted adult about your feelings.
People
with Alzheimer's disease need to know you care. When you
hold their hand or give hem a hug, they will always feel
your love.
You
may have questions about what is happening to the
person with Alzheimer's disease. You can learn more about
the disease and how to help the person.
Here
is a list of things you can do
Remember
past events
People
with Alzheimer's disease like to remember things from long
ago. You can help them remember by sitting with them
and looking at old pictures or photo albums.
Make
a Memory Box
You
probably have many special memories about spending time
with the person who has Alzheimer's disease. Fill a box
with five special things that will help you to remember
those times. Examples could be: fishing hook, a gold
coin, a letter or card, a piece of jewellery (pin or
brooch), a watch, a medal, a baseball, a theatre ticket
stub.
Help
around the house
People
with Alzheimer's disease like to keep busy. You can help
them make their bed, fold their laundry, help make lunch,
go for walks or rake leaves in the yard.
To
learn more
Contact
your local Alzheimer Society.
Book
list
Here
are a few suggestions to get you started. Check your
public library, school library or book stores for more
resources.
- The
Memory Box
Mary Bahr, 1992, Ages 6-11
ISBN 0807550531
Zach
could hardly wait to spend his three-week vacation
with gram and gramps at the lake, fishing and listening
to gramps tell his stories. But when gramps wants to
start a memory box and forgets his way around the forest
path, Zach begins to worry. Together the three fill
the memory box with pictures, souvenirs, written memories
-- old and new -- and prepare themselves for the changes
in gramps and the summers ahead.
-
What's
Happening to Grandpa?
Maria
Shriver, 2004, Ages
4-8
ISBN 0-316-00101-5
Grandpa
has always been the best storyteller Kate has ever
known, but lately, he seems different. He repeats
himself, becomes easily frustrated, and then one
day, he even forgets Kate's name. When her
mother explains Grandpa's disease, Kate is overwhelmed.
But with remarkable strength, Kate resolves to cherish
her grandpa's life and memories.
- Mr.
Knowsit™ Learns About Alzheimer's Disease
Doug
Stowe, 2000, Ages 4-6
Foresight Consultants, (905) 268-5639
Why
was Timothy's grandpa acting as if he didn't know
him? Was it a practical joke? With some coaxing,
a little affection and care, Mr. Knowsit helps Timothy
learn the truth about his grandpa and something called "Alzheimer's disease." A candid and creative format to help
children, and their families, understand this disease.
[This
information is also available in a brochure from your local
Alzheimer Society or you can download
the brochure from this site.]
Visit Just 4 Kids, a section of the Alzheimer Society Of Saskatchewan website where kids can have fun and learn all about Alzheimer's disease at the same time. The DoRIGHTERS have a family member with Alzheimer's disease and they don't know what to do. Kids can help them learn to DoRIGHT by working through activities with them.
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