Insight: How to explain Dementia to children?

Explaining dementia to children in a way that is gentle, honest and hopeful helping them see love remains even when memory fades, requires a balance of truth, comfort, and reassurance. Here’s an approach that’s gentle, honest, and hopeful, emphasizing that love stays even if memory changes:

1. Use Simple, Clear Language

Avoid medical jargon. Say things like:

• “Dementia is an illness that makes it hard for a person’s brain to remember things and think clearly.”

• “Grandma’s brain is like a library where some books are getting harder to find.”

2. Be Honest About What’s Happening

Children notice changes, so acknowledge them:

• “Grandpa might forget your name sometimes, but it’s not because he doesn’t love you. His brain is sick, and that makes remembering hard.”

• Avoid saying things like “He’s just tired” because it can confuse them later.

3. Focus on Feelings, Not Just Memory

Explain that love is stronger than memory:

• “Even if Grandma forgets your name, her heart remembers how much she loves you.”

• “Love doesn’t live in the brain, it lives in the heart—and that never gets sick.”

4. Give Them Something Positive to Do

Children feel better when they can help:

• “You can still make Grandpa happy by smiling, singing, or drawing pictures for him.”

• “He might not remember the picture tomorrow, but he’ll feel happy when you give it to him today.”

5. Normalize Their Feelings

• “It’s okay to feel sad or confused. Lots of people feel that way when someone they love has dementia.”

• Encourage questions anytime.

6. Add Hope and Security

• “Even though dementia changes some things, there’s one thing that never changes: how much we love each other.”

• Share that they can still have special moments together, like listening to music or holding hands.