Children can be frightened by the changes in the grandparent who was once gentle and loving, but could now have become cranky and occasionally downright mean and abusive. How we, as parents, handle the changes in our own parents can affect how well our children handle the changes. But each child is different and each set of circumstances is different. So where to you start when it's time to explain?
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I think if children understand the changes they are able to cope with them better. However sometimes adults don't do as good a job of explaining what is happening because they themselves are struggling with adjusting to seeing their own parents unable to act the way they did before.
It can help to have a group discussion about what is happening to grandma or grandpa and be prepared to answer any questions that kids may have. As you pointed out, some children may not even need this. They may understand after a simple explanation that flows naturally out of something that happens.
Posted by: Aisha@ancestrycom | Saturday, November 24, 2012 at 01:37 PM