Reducing Stigma Through Education

Reasons to Educate Children about Alzheimer’s Disease   

#1 - So that children will be comfortable around and interacting with a person who has Alzheimer’s (See January’s Blog)
#2 - Teaching children compassion (See February’s Blog)
#3 - Creating a schedule teaches children how to create a safe supportive environment in which they can thrive (See March’s Blog)
#4 - To prepare children to adapt to future changes that occur on life: Mild Alzheimer’s Disease (See April’s Blog)
#5 - Preservation of Memories: Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease  (See May’s Blog)
#6 - Knowledge of Alzheimer's disease promotes inclusivity by teaching children the importance of treating everyone with respect, regardless of their cognitive abilities: Severe Alzheimer’s Disease (See June’s Blog)

Reason #7 Reducing Stigma - When children understand Alzheimer’s or any type of dementia they are more likely to approach someone who has this disease with understanding.

Story: 

Alder took her mom who had Alzheimer’s out to the store, hairdresser and to eat. She noticed sometimes children would shy away or point. A person with Alzheimer’s often has what’s called a ‘flat affect’ or blank expression on their face. Also, sometimes people with Alzheimer’s or any type of dementia will do or say something in public that’s not appropriate. For example, they might shout out cuss words or “I gotta go” and you don’t know what “go” means. Or, they might eat macaroni and cheese or spaghetti at a restaurant with their fingers.

When someone in the general public sees the face or behavior of someone with Alzheimer’s they may not understand what the problem is, but they know the person is acting differently by not responding to their environment in a normal way. 

Children are very perceptive and recognize this difference in facial expression and behavior immediately. Children may respond with fear by moving away, pointing at the person, or getting their parent’s attention and asking about the person. 

Yoda on Star Wars said, “Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”

Yoda goes on to say, “In a dark place we find ourselves, and a little more knowledge lights our way.” and he also says. “Out of acceptance comes wisdom.”

This is why it’s important to reduce stigma about Alzheimer’s disease through education. You’ll lead them out of fear to light, acceptance, and wisdom. Learning acceptance of someone who is acting differently will apply to all areas of their lives. Children educated about Alzheimer’s are more likely to be understanding of mental health issues and less likely to fall into bullying roles.

Information: Our basic human biology is wired to respond to the unknown with trepidation. When a person’s behavior changes or we notice a person in our neighborhood is acting differently, our human nature is to go on alert. Other behaviors people with Alzheimer’s may exhibit include: 

• Being easily frustrated and very verbal about it
• Poor interpersonal boundaries and lack of a mental filter; saying or doing things that someone might think, but not actually say or do.
• Making up words or stories
• Hallucinating
• Being unsteady on their feet
• Acting Impulsively
• Getting lost

Activities: Check out our PDF and video for some great activities to increase knowledge and decrease stigma available here.

Tips: 

1. If your child points out a person or reacts negatively to a person in their neighborhood who is overtly showing signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s, educate them about Alzheimer’s/dementia privately and explain it is impolite to point. 
2. If you know the person with Alzheimer’s, visit that person and give your child the opportunity to get to know them better as a person.
3. When a loved one starts showing signs and symptoms and your child becomes apprehensive, again, educate the child about Alzheimer’s/dementia and how to interact with their loved one as the disease causes their behavior to change.
4. Inform your child when it’s safe for them to interact and when they should get a responsible adult.

Action: 

1. See our January blog and watch the free “What is Alzheimer’s Disease?” video with your children.
2. Download the PDF and video that comes with this blog for activities to assist children in understanding Alzheimer’s disease here.
3. Purchase the MMAAP (link to store) to get even more information, tips and activities to incorporate children into the care of your loved one who has Alzheimer’s or any type of dementia. 
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