Hard Topic Resources

Here you will find resources to help you get to provide more information regarding our current book topics.

 
 

  • A progressive brain disorder that causes cognitive loss, fine motor loss and memory loss.

  • A brain disorder that causes memory loss.

  • To find a cause and cure.

 
 

Tips: Being a parent starting a hard conversation is equally as hard for your child but in different ways. If you go in stressed and anxious about the topic, you're discussing your child will feel the same way.

Chances are if your anything like me you’ve just been through a whirlwind of doctor’s appointments, testing’s and beyond to find a diagnosis for your loved one that has Alzheimer’s or Dementia. Your stressed, tired and just want to get bad news out and over with but don’t. Take a minute to sit with it. Take a day. Take a week. Get your next steps in order of what the next few months will look like with your loved one then address this conversation with your child. Depending on how old your child is they will ask questions what the future holds for your loved one.

When talking to your child about this hard subject I would encourage you to print out a color sheet. It will allow your child to listen while doing something fun. If you think they are not listening to you and just coloring stop reading and color. Why? The book isn’t going to change but the memory of the person they want to spend time with will last forever.

Reinsure your child that while some people will possibly forget their loved ones it doesn’t mean you or your child will forget them. It’s scary for any child to think of a person they love not remembering them, but I know with my children the next question was “Will I remember Him?” I make sure everyday things can change but his love will not for them and ours won’t either. This helps my children with easing the thought of this coming.

While talking to your child about memory loss make sure you reinsure your child that while this is a hard topic lots can still be done to help. Also, its important to provide this information in a comfortable spot.

Visit:

Alzheimer’s Association allows you as a caregiver to take classes, talk to someone to better understand your situation and provide so much more to raise awareness - https://www.alz.org/

Lewy Bodies Dementia association is another amazing resource to find information spacific to this Parkinson disease type of Dementia. https://www.lbda.org/

Tips: Allow your child to ask questions and be honest. Encourage it! Remember to only answer the the questions your child is asking. Don’t allow yourself to provide to much information because chances are your child is not ready for this information yet if they are not asking. Now some children need to process things just like adults so if you have a child that has no questions or input at this time just allow yourself at a later time during the day to bring it up again. Eventually your child will start asking.

How can you help?

There are many things you can do to help your child be understanding to people with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. One of my favorite things to do with my children is to visit the local memory clinic to read, play games, or do crafts with the patients.

Walk to raise awareness. The Alzheimer’s Association has walks all over the country.

Raise funds and donate to your local charity's or just get involved with them. Remember you should never feel obligated to give money to any organization but it always feels amazing to donate time.

Be there for your loved one. This is a big one. I've seen many family’s leave their loved ones in a home and visit when they are ready. It’s not an easy thing to go through for you or your family. Believe me when I say I completely understand that. It’s not easy for the person going through it either. They need the compassion and love for family and friends to keep them going.

The biggest thing anyone can do to help people with Alzheimer’s, Dementia, or Lewy Bodies Dementia to just be caring, kind, empathetic, encouraging, and loving. They didn’t choose this for themselves and it does take a toll on them. If they have loved ones around to take the time they deserve with them that will mean so much to them and you in the long run.