Help for Children & Teens

Help for Children & Teens

When children or teens learn that a parent, grandparent, relative, friend or neighbor is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, they may experience a range of feelings.  Common reactions include:

n  Sadness about changes in the person’s personality and behavior

n  Confusion about how people develop the disease and why the person behaves differently

n  Resentment or fear over person’s behavioral changes

n  Fear that they or their parents might develop the disease

n  Anger or frustration caused by the need to repeat activities or questions

n  Anxiety about how the disease affects the family

n  Guilt about getting angry or becoming short-tempered with the person

n  Loneliness, jealousy or resentment due to the additional time and attention given to the person

n  Embarrassment about having friends or other visitors observing the person behaving differently. 

When discussing Alzheimer’s with young people, it is important to take the time to listen carefully and encourage them to ask questions and express their thoughts and feelings.  Offer comfort and support and let them know that their feelings and questions are normal.  Your honest responses can make an enormous difference in easing fears and anxiety.