Always My Grandpa : A Story for Children about Alzheimer's Disease [first edition]

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 Grandpa's stories of his fishing boat. As the summer passes, Grandpa begins to change. Daniel learns that since Grandpa has Alzheimer's disease, he will have trouble remembering all the things that belong to him—his clothes, his words, his memories—and eventually, his own grandson.When a grandparent or other loved one develops Alzheimer’s 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 gently prepares school-age children for the eventual changes that come with Alzheimer’s disease by providing age- appropriate information about its symptoms and progress. It also 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.