Do you tell the grandchildren about Alzheimer's Disease?

As a social worker and health professional who has worked with Alzheimer's, I appreciate that this is a personal decision. You know your family the best. As a granddaughter of someone with Alzheimer's I can look back and say I wish I knew, but would I have understood it? I was in my early teens when my grandfather passed away. He was never actually diagnosed with Alzheimer's, but he did have memory problems. I am not sure how common it was back then. He would sit in our house in his favorite chair every day and watch I Love Lucy. He would always say, "Beverly come here," calling me, even though my name is not Beverly. He thought I was his daughter, my Mom. I remember him calling for his wife, my grandmother, even though she passed away years before. We are so fortunate now because there are books that help you tell your children, books that tell kids why Grandpa and Grandma don't remember. Support groups can be found in your local area, where they focus on helping grandchildren. If you have talked with your children about Alzheimer's, please share your story. If you have read a great book for kids please let us know.