Teaching Children About Dementia > 자유게시판

Explaining dementia to kids isn’t easy, yet it’s profoundly important

As a family member starts forgetting names or getting disoriented

children are observant and will often voice their curiosity

They might ask why Grandpa doesn’t remember their birthday or why Nana asks the same question again

Be open, gentle, and steady in your replies

Start by using simple language that matches the child’s age

For younger children, you might say that the brain is like a computer that sometimes gets a little mixed up and has trouble remembering things

Teach pre-teens that dementia changes how the brain processes information, making routine things more difficult

Never use terms like "going crazy" or "gone missing"

Remind them that love and personality remain, even when recall fades

Tell them clearly: "You didn’t make this happen—it’s an illness, not a punishment"

Many children feel guilty or afraid they did something wrong

Let them know that the changes are due to the illness, not because of anything they said or did

Create a safe space for ongoing curiosity

Children need to feel safe expressing their feelings, whether they are sad, confused, or even angry

Include them in gentle, loving gestures

They can help set the table, オンライン認知症検査 hold a hand, or whisper a memory they love

They learn that presence, not perfection, is what truly matters

It’s not about remembering names—it’s about sharing space

Acknowledge the sadness, confusion, and mixed feelings

It is okay to feel sad or frustrated

It is also okay to still laugh and enjoy time together

Let them see you feel too, without overwhelming them

They absorb emotional courage when they witness it modeled

Prepare children for changes over time

It deepens over months and years, not in a day

Even as care increases, the bond remains strong

Stick to familiar patterns—visits, rituals, traditions

Involve them in choosing how to stay close—phone calls, letters, video chats

Keep their spirit alive through stories

Share tales of their humor, kindness, and courage

They learn to see the person behind the condition

It’s not about medical facts or clinical terms

It’s about letting them hold love even when things are hard

When we speak openly, love becomes a lasting language—even when words fade