A Story Time with Dementia Moose: What to do with Dementia Related Behavior

A Story Time with Dementia Moose is a fiction offering from the perspective of children in a home that is caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease. It is difficult for a child to comprehend the menagerie of dementia related behavior and this book is designed to open a discussion with your children when they observe this condition. HOW TO USE THIS BOOK: The first section of the story is related to the setting of care, the home. We suggest openly discussing why the family member with Alzheimer’s is living with them. The story then moves to the good times they once had with the family member. As you are the reader, this is a good place to recall your positive experiences. Then, the noted change of condition and the behavior that begins to present. Here is a good place to ask them what behavior they noticed and how it made them feel . The objective is to separate the person you love from their dementia related behavior.It is suggested that there is a need of finding a place to put these feelings when they occur. A child’s home is a place of safety and Alzheimer’s is often very destabilizing in what a child sees. Identify that what they see is real , confirm that they are safe and tell them there is something that they can do . This is empowering for them. Empowerment for the children in the face of Alzheimer’s is the goal of this book.