Despite the generation gap, children and their grandparents share an unparalleled bond that nothing can come between. As your child’s grandparent ages, it’s up to you to stay ahead of certain challenges, such as dementia. According to the dementia care staff of Provident Village at Creekside and Provident Village at Canton in Cobb and Cherokee counties in Georgia, you should never assume your child won’t notice the changes in their grandparent. Here’s how you can help them deal with the transition as smoothly as possible.

How to Talk to Your Child About Their Grandparent’s Dementia 

1. Be Honest & Direct

After an official diagnosis has been made, sit your child down in a quiet place free of distractions. Wait for a day when your little one doesn’t have much on their plate and don’t save the discussion for bedtime. When you’re ready, tell your child that their grandma or grandpa has developed a disease that changes their memory, and let them know it’s not contagious. Tell them they can still do many of the activities they love with their grandparent, and list a few ways in which they can be of help.

2. Foster a Connection

If your parent can no longer complete activities they normally did with their grandchild—such as driving or going for long walks—let your child know as soon as possible. Then, suggest other ways they can spend quality time together. Because of the challenges of dementia, it’s important to supervise these bonding periods, so your child never has to assume the role of a caretaker.

3. Talk About Challenges

During your discussion, make sure the child knows that their grandparents might start acting out of character. Tell your little one that any aggressive tone, mean comment, or unusual action is not something they caused or can change; these are just side effects of the disease. If an incident occurs later on, pull your child aside afterward and ask them how they’re feeling. They might be shocked or hurt at first, but together, you can make sense of the obstacles and triumphs of the dementia care journey.

If your parent has recently been diagnosed with a memory-related disorder, speak with the experts at Provident Village at Creekside or Provident Village at Canton about options for the future. When your mother or father becomes unable to take care of themselves, you might not be able to take care of them in your home. In this case, the dementia care experts at this assisted living facility will be happy to step in. Call (678) 903-0339 for the Smyrna location or (770) 575-8509 for the Canton office or visit their website for more information about their respected retirement community.