When someone in your family has

Alzheimer Disease

You may have someone in your family who hasAlzheimer Disease. Alzheimer Disease affects the

person’s brain. When people have this disease,they forget, they get confused, they have

trouble speaking and taking careof themselves.

Scientists don’t knowwhy people get Alzheimer

Disease, but they areworking hard to find a causeso they can stop it from

happening.

You can’t get Alzheimer Diseasefrom another person, like the cold

or the flu. Just because someone inyour family has the disease, it doesn’t

mean you will get it.

Alzheimer Disease is not a normal partof growing old. Most people who have the

disease are over 65 but sometimes (not veryoften) people in their 40s and 50s get it too.

As people get older, their chances of developing thedisease increases.

Unscramble the words

using the cluesNABIR

Alzheimer Disease affects the _ _ _ _ _.

F G O E R T

People with Alzheimer Disease _ _ _ _ _ _.

L N R O A M

Alzheimer Disease is not a _ _ _ _ _ _

part of growing old.U A S C E

Scientists are working hard to find

the _ _ _ _ _ of Alzheimer Disease.

You may have questionsabout what is happening tothe person with Alzheimer

Disease. You can learn more about thedisease and how to help the person.Here is a list of things you can do:

Remember past eventsPeople with Alzheimer Disease like toremember things from long ago. Youcan help them remember by sittingwith them andlooking at oldpictures or photoalbums.

People with Alzheimer Disease may forgetyour 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 becomefrustrated or nervous and they may get angry with youfor no reason. It is important to know that they do notmean to treat you badly. It is not your fault if the persongets upset. Alzheimer Disease makes the person act inthis way.

Taking care of someone with Alzheimer Disease is ahard job. If your mom, dad or grandparent is taking careof someone with the disease, they are probably very busy.You may find that they do not have as much time tospend with you or when they do, they are too tired to doanything. You may feel sad or angry about this. It isimportant to remember that they still love you. Talk toyour family, a teacher or a trusted adult about yourfeelings.

People with Alzheimer Disease need to know you care.When you hold their hand or give them a hug, they willalways feel your love.

Here are a few

suggestions to get

you started. Check

your public library,

school library or

book stores for

more resources.

The Memory BoxMary Bahr, 1995, Ages 6-11

ISBN 0807550531

Zach could hardly wait tospend his three-week

vacation with gram and grampsat the lake, fishing and listeningto gramps tell his stories. Butwhen gramps wants to start amemory box and forgets his wayaround the forest path, Zachbegins to worry. Together thethree fill the memory box withpictures, souvenirs, writtenmemories — old and new, andprepare themselves for thechanges in gramps and thesummers ahead.

What’s Happening to Grandpa?Maria Shriver, 2004

Ages 4-8 ISBN 0-316-00101-5

Grandpa has always been thebest storyteller Kate has ever

known, but lately, he seemsdifferent. He repeats himself,becomes easily frustrated, andthen one day, he even forgetsKate’s name. When her motherexplains Grandpa’s disease, Kate is overwhelmed. But withremarkable strength, Kateresolves to cherish her grandpa’slife and memories.

Book list

Make a Memory BoxYou probably have many specialmemories about spending timewith the person who hasAlzheimer Disease. Fill abox with five specialthings that will helpyou to rememberthose times. Examplescould be: fishing hook, a gold coin,a letter or card, a piece of jewellery (pin or broach), a watch, a medal, a baseball, a theatre ticket stub.

To learn more • Contact your local Alzheimer Society

• Visit our Web sitewww.alzheimer.ca

If I Forget, You RememberCarol Lynch Williams, 1999

Ages 9-12 ISBN 0440414202

Elyse has just graduated fromgrade 6 and is looking

forward to a busy summer. ThenElyse finds out that hergrandmother is moving in for thesummer. She has AlzheimerDisease and Elyse has to carefor her while her mother works.Elyse thinks her grandmotherwill get better if Elyse is patient.But Elyse finds out it is not thateasy and she learns to watchover her grandmother who wasalways there for her.

Mr. Knowsit™ Learns About Alzheimer’s DiseaseDoug Stowe, 2000

Ages 4-6

Foresight Consultants, (905) 268-5639

Why was Timothy’s grandpaacting as if he didn’t know

him? Was it a practical joke?With some coaxing, a littleaffection and care, Mr. Knowsithelps Timothy learn the truthabout his grandpa andsomething called “AlzheimerDisease.” A candid and creativeformat to help children, andtheir families, understand thisdisease.

Help around the housePeople with Alzheimer Diseaselike to keep busy. Youcan help them maketheir bed, fold theirlaundry, helpmake lunch, gofor walks or rakeleaves in theyard.

Find the Memory Box

Start �

� Finish

Alzheimer Society of Canada20 Eglinton Avenue West, Suite 1200, Toronto, Ontario, M4R 1K8

Tel: (416) 488-8772 1-800-616-8816 Fax: (416) 488-3778E-mail: info@alzheimer.ca Web site: www.alzheimer.ca

Charitable registration number: 11878 4925 RR0001

For more information:

or check the phone book for your local Alzheimer Society.

©2001 Alzheimer Society of Canada

Reprinted 2005

FOCUS-CHILD 2005