Grandkids and Dementia (Neuro Note 5)

For my last neuro note, I had a hard time deciding what topic I wanted to learn and write about. I came across an article titled "OT's Role in Helping Kids Understand a Grandparent's Dementia." I found this to be a very interesting concept because it is not a topic this is often discussed. As occupational therapists, our main priority is to provide services for the client; however, it is also our job to educate the family, including children. Grandchildren are affected by dementia because they are watching their grandparents completely change. It is important to let the grandchildren be involved in the progression of this disease so that they are not scared of what is happening. Whether it is teaching them how to adjust the hospital bed or helping their grandparent with feeding, it is beneficial for everyone to be involved in this process. Mandy Chamberlain stated in her article that her kids enjoyed their grandmother's new playful attitude, and loved playing with her in the her garden. However, as the dementia worsened, the weeds began to take over their grandmother's garden as she became sicker. Chamberlain wrote a children's book called Weeds in Nana's Garden which addresses this topic. I think that this concept is groundbreaking in the field of OT. We must educate the client and his or her family members in order to make their time with dementia as positive as possible. Because I am currently interested in working in a geriatric setting, I will be sure to remember this article in my future practices.


Chamberlain, M. (2016 April 15). OT's role in helping kids understand a grandparent's dementia. Retrieved from https://www.seniorsflourish.com/kidsanddementia/