When someone has Alzheimer's disease, it affects everyone in the family. You may have good or bad feelings about how life has changed since someone you love was diganosed with Alzheimer's or dementia. You may feel closer to your mom or dad since you're facing the disease together as a family. You may not feel comfortable having friends over, or you may not want to talk about how your grandpa is acting. You may be embarassed or be given new chores or ways to help your family.
All these feelings are a normal part of having a family member or close loved one with Alzheimer's. The book selections, helpful links and videos on this page will help you learn more about Alzheimer's disease and how it affects the people you love.
Books for teens
Does someone you know have Alzheimer’s disease? Reading some of the books on this list will help you learn more about how the brain works and help you understand Alzheimer's disease.
Curveball, The Year I Lost My Grip
Jordan Sonnenblick
Scholastic Paperbacks, 2014
The Dementia Diaries: A Novel in Cartoons
Matthew Snyman and Social Innovation Lab, Kent
Jessica Kingsley, 2016
The Human Brain: Inside Your Body’s Control Room
Kathleen Simpson
National Geographic, 2009
Neurocomic
Hana Ros, Matteo Farinella (Illustrator)
Nobrow Press, 2014
Pop
Gordon Korman
Blazer and Bray, 2011
Trudy
Jessica Lee Anderson
Milkweed Publishing, 2005
When the Brain Dies First
Margaret Hyde, John Setaro
Franklin Watt, 2000
Links for teens
The links below will teach you more about how teens like you are dealing with Alzheimer's disease.
American Association of Caregiving Youth
Can’t We Talk about Something More Pleasant?
A Quick Look at Alzheimer's
When the Brain Fails to Do Its Work
Videos for teens
If you are on this site, you probably know someone – or know of someone – with Alzheimer’s. Take a look at the videos below to learn about the disease and hear about how other teens are coping with it.
Part 1: What Is Alzheimer's Disease?
Confused about the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and how it differs from dementia? Want to know more about the progression of the disease? Watch this video to get the facts.
Part 2: What Can I Expect and How Can I Deal With It?
You may have a family member with Alzheimer’s disease and wonder what the changes that come with the disease will mean for you and your family. Watch this video to learn how to make communication and connection with someone with Alzheimer’s disease easier for everyone.
Part 3: If the Person with Alzheimer’s Lives with Us, What Can I Expect?
It may seem like the person with Alzheimer’s is changing in ways that make your relationship different, but why? The answer is almost always that the disease is responsible for the changes, and keeping that in mind will allow you to cope with the situation more easily. Watch this video to learn more, and to explore making some changes of your own.
Part 4: How Can I Help and What’s Out There to Help Me?
There are lots of ways for people your age to make a difference in the lives of those with Alzheimer’s disease and their families. Start by talking openly about it and informing your peers. Watch this video to find out how you can help move us toward a world without Alzheimer’s.