How to explain Alzheimer's to children and teenagers
"Dementia" - is a collection of symptoms that indicate impairment of higher brain functions (problems with memory, language, initiative, recognition, perception, judgment), behavioral changes, and functional decline. There are many diseases that cause dementia . The most well-known and common of these is Alzheimer's disease.
Communication tips for young people
*Dementia affects the brain, so the person affected may not be able to communicate with you in the same way they used to. But there are things you can do to connect with them and make them feel comfortable.
* Just go with the flow! Try to accept everything the person says and even try to encourage them, instead of confronting the person or challenging them when they say something unusual or "wrong."
* Use few words when communicating - focus on gestures and facial expressions, a smile has immense power! - Lead the conversation - If the person with dementia is having difficulty speaking, initiate a conversation. Keep it simple; maybe tell them how your day went.
* Be tolerant and present - your presence is meaningful and the person with dementia can feel your affection for them.
Information about childhood dementia
What is dementia?
*Dementia is a condition or disease that affects the way a person's brain works. The brain controls everything we do, so dementia can lead to changes in the way a person thinks, their memory, the way they see things, and their speech.
Will the injured/patient's condition improve?
*Dementia is a condition that gets worse over time and there is currently no cure or way to stop the disease. Although the affected person's condition will not improve, there are many things that can be done to help a person with dementia feel happy and confident.
Am I cool too?
*Dementia is not like other illnesses like chickenpox or a cold, it is not contagious. Just because a relative or close friend is sick does not mean you will get it too.
Will he/she forget me?
*Sometimes people with dementia have trouble remembering names and as we grow older our faces change, this can make it harder for the person with dementia to recognise you. However, the feelings the person has for you will remain for longer and a voice is often easier to recognise. So if you are worried that the person with dementia doesn't know who you are, try talking to them about shared memories and how you felt at the time.
Do people with dementia get angry?
*A person with dementia concentrates much harder to do tasks that usually come easily to us, so they may feel tired and frustrated, a bit like you feel when you're struggling with homework that you don't understand. Feeling frustrated and tired can lead the person with dementia to become short-tempered and irritable. Sometimes the person with dementia may feel anxious or afraid when he/she has trouble understanding what's going on around them.
*Try to talk calmly to the person, tell them who you are and talk about shared memories from the past and feelings you have felt. Try to remember that you are not the cause of the anger but the difficulties the person with dementia is experiencing. If you are worried, seek help from an adult.