Parents & Teachers

The signs and symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease are challenging for family members, informal caregivers and formal caregivers. Organizations have been developed to assist you. Select organizations are listed below along with their web addresses. This will allow you to explore the information and services that meet your needs.

The Alzheimer’s Association has developed a number of resources to assist parents in helping their chld understand and cope with a grandparent or other adult who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Parent’s Guide – Helping Children and Teens Understand Alzheimer’ disease.

The Alzheimer’s Association has developed a four part video for kids. The link has been included for your review. If you deem appropriate for your child, it is recommended that the two of you view them together so that you can provide support and answer any questions that might arise.

Four-Part Video for Kids

Discussion Questions - PDF

Although children will enjoy reading Musical Memories on their own, we suggest sharing the experience with the guidance of an adult who can answer questions and initiate discussion. To assist adults in this interactive learning process with the child, here is a list of questions with corresponding answers intended to enhance an understanding of Grandma and Alzheimer’s disease. These in-depth answers give adults a broader base of knowledge about the book, so they in turn can discuss the ideas with the child at their level of understanding.

Why is it important to begin the story by telling that Gabrielle had been taking ballet lessons for two years and her desire to see a professional ballet?

The purpose is to show Gabrielle’s interest in dance and music through her love of ballet. This will later parallel Grandma’s love of music and dance. In addition, the story of Cinderella was being told through music and dance without the need for words. In the final scene of Musical Memories, music was effective in calming Grandma where words had failed.

It may be helpful to take some time to discuss your child’s or the intended child’s interest in music. You could also share your personal preferences in music and how these songs relate to your personal life. Examples might include:

Songs that remind you of your high school prom.
The first live concert that you attended in college.
A song sung at your wedding such as, “We Have Only Just Begun.”

This type of discussion is intended to help the child transfer this knowledge to the importance of music Grandma’s life.

Upon reaching the entrance of the theater, Mom said to both Gabrielle and Grandma, “I know the two of you normally go on outings by yourselves. Thanks for letting me come along this time.”

Although Mother indicated that she was accompanying Gabrielle and Grandma to the ballet because she wanted to see attend the ballet as well, she had a greater purpose. Mother actually knew that Grandma had Alzheimer’s disease and wanted to drive and make sure that the two remained safe during their outing.

Why did Grandma try to get into the wrong car after the ballet?

Persons with Alzheimer’s disease have a lowered ability to tolerate or handle stressful situations. By the end of the ballet, Grandma was feeling tired. She and Gabrielle were jostled or pushed by the crowed as they exited the theater. This caused Grandma to feel uncomfortable and she became anxious. This is shown through her behaviors. Grandma clutched Gabrielle’s arm and her eyes began darting back and forth. Once outside the night air was filled with people talking and laughing. The pictures in the book also showed potentially confusing dark shadows on the sidewalk. As Grandma and Gabrielle walked toward the curb, cars drove past them with their bright lights shining in Grandma’s eyes. Grandma became increasingly more uncomfortable or anxious. This caused Grandma to become confused and resulted in Grandma attempting to get into a red car rather than the family’s blue car.

With Gabrielle’s help, Grandma did get into the family’s blue car. The inside of the car was fairly dark from the night sky. Gabrielle was quiet because Grandmother’s behavior had frightened her. The quiet and darkness of the car was helpful to Grandma, compared to the noise and congestion outside.

Have you ever heard the saying “behaviors speak louder than words”? While leaving the ballet, what were some of Grandma’s behaviors that indicated she was anxious or feeling uneasy?

Grandma did not respond when a tall man bumped into her and said, “excuse me.” Instead she clutched Gabrielle’s arm while her eyes darted back and forth.

While standing by the curb waiting for Mother’s car, Grandmother “shifted her weight back and forth.”

The behavior of greatest concern was Grandma’s attempt to get into the wrong car.

While climbing the stairs to the attic, Gabrielle caught a movement from the corner of her eye. She looked and then thought she saw someone staring at her. This frightened Gabrielle. How did Gabrielle’s experience differ from Grandma’s experience at seeing her reflection in the mirror?

Mother explained to Gabrielle that she was actually seeing her own reflection in a mirror, stored in a dimly lit corner of the attic. After Mother’s explanation, Gabrielle understood and was ready to go with her Mother to another part of the attic.

Grandma mistook her reflection in the kitchen window for a potential intruder. Grandma felt the same fear that Gabrielle had felt, but Grandma was not willing to listen to he explanation given by Gabrielle.

Grandma and Gabrielle both misinterpreted environmental stimuli. Mother helped Gabrielle understand that she misinterpreting her own reflection for an intruder. Attempts to help Grandma understand that she had misinterpreted her reflection in the kitchen window for an intruder only served to strengthen her conviction of a potential intruder. Mother could reason with Gabrielle but the family was unable to reason with Grandma. Ensuring Grandma’s safety and stimulating Grandma’s remote memory through favorite music, helped to gradually calm Grandma resulting in a reduction in her anxiety and agitation.

There was a second example of Grandma misinterpreting or misunderstanding something in her environment. Do you remember the first example?

Grandma woke up in the middle of the night and walked to the bathroom. After turning on the light, she misinterpreted the artificial light from an electric light bulb, for natural sunlight. For that reason, Grandma thought it was morning and went downstairs to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

Can you think of a time when you misinterpreted something and became frightened? What did you do?

Think about your answer or share your answer with a trusted adult.

Why are Grandma’s memories from a long time ago so important to her?

Advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease prevents the person from remembering events that happened possibly a week ago, two days ago or even 5 minutes ago. However, the person remains able to remember events that occurred at an earlier time in life, even in the advanced stages of the disease.

Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease. This means that the disease will get worse overtime. Currently, a few medications have been developed to slow the progression of the disease, but there is no cure for the disease.

Linda A. Gerdner PhD, RN, FAAN