There are many online resources aimed at educating and supporting teenagers about Alzheimer’s disease, including:
The Alzheimer’s Foundation
This web page was created to increase awareness of the disease and get teenagers involved in the cause—to end Alzheimer’s. This website is for teens who have a family member affected by Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It offers an online community forum, along with expert advice and support. Users will be given the opportunity to network with other teens, read blogs about Alzheimer’s disease and receive a newsletter with a calendar of events. Other features of the website include:
-Raising awareness among teenagers and adults about Alzheimer’s disease
-Providing education, counseling and support for teenagers who have a family member with Alzheimer’s
-Providing an avenue for teens to share their emotions and experiences—in dealing with AD—with other teens.
-Acting as a teen referral source to supportive services offered by the Alzheiemer’s Foundation, and their partner organizations.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders Brain Basics: Know Your Brain
This educational website offers in-depth information about the brain and how it functions. There are illustrations as well as a list of the major neurological disorders that alter the brain’s normal functioning and a synopsis of genetic influences.
Videos for Teenagers By the Alzheiemer’s Association
A resource offered by The Alzheimer’s association to help teenagers learn about the disease and understand how it affects each family member. The videos include topics such as, “What is Alzheimer’s Disease?” as well as, “What to Expect Living with a Person Who Has Alzheimer’s Disease,” and more.
Books About Alzheimer’s Disease for Teenagers
1.Curveball: The Year I Lost My Grip-by Jordan Sonnenblick, 304 pages, published by Scholastic Press. A book about a high school student with a grandfather experiencing the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. The book explores the teenager’s experiences with romance, family and tragedy. Purchase the book on Amazon by Clicking Here.
2.Pop-by Gordon Korman, 272 pages, published by HarperCollins. A story about a boy who plays football on the high school team. He meets a retired NFL linebacker, who turns out to have early Alzheimer’s disease. It’s a story of friendship and facing the stigma of Alzheimer’s disease. Purchase the book on Amazon by Clicking Here.
3.Trudy-by Jessica Lee Anderson, published by Milkweed Editions, 192 pages. A novel about a teenager who has a father diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Trudy and her mother are faced with difficult life’s decisions. Trudy’s strength in dealing with the challenges of her father’s disease makes her a heroine that other teenagers look up to. Purchase this book on Amazon by Clicking Here.
Grandpa,Do You know Who I am?
A video produced by HBO and narrated by Maria Shriver. The video features a depiction of real stories from teenagers (and younger kids) about their experience with a family member who has Alzheimer’s disease. It highlights the way dementia can impact kids and how young people have learned to relate to their family member with Alzheimer’s. There is a downloadable PDF guide, designed to spark family communication about the film between teenagers and other family members. The film is part of The Alzheimer’s Project, which aims at finding groundbreaking new science about Alzheimer’s disease, as well as increasing public understanding of Alzheimer’s research and caregiving.
Information About Dementia for Young People-PDF “Help Sheet” offering answers to young people’s frequently asked questions about dementia
