Why Kids Need to Learn About Dementia Too

Growing up, I spent most weekends with my Grandma Mabel. We baked, read books, played games, and told stories. She’d look me in the eye, smile gently, and say, “You’re precious—and you’re supposed to help people.” I didn’t know then how much that simple phrase would shape the way I live, work, and think about aging.

Years later, I began supporting families who were navigating dementia. Again and again, I heard the same questions from the youngest family members:

“Why doesn’t Grandma remember me?”“Why is Grandpa acting different?”“Did I do something wrong?”

These aren’t just cute or curious comments. They’re real emotional responses to a confusing and often painful change in someone a child loves. And yet, we rarely equip children with the education and language to understand what’s happening.

We teach kids about fire safety, stranger danger, recycling, and bullying. We teach them how to share, how to wash their hands, and how to speak up when they see something unfair. But we often avoid conversations about aging, memory loss, and dementia—topics that many children are living with firsthand through grandparents, neighbors, or family friends.

Avoiding the topic doesn’t protect kids. It isolates them. And worse, it leaves space for fear, blame, and misunderstanding.

When we teach children about dementia in age-appropriate, compassionate ways, we give them something powerful:

Understanding. They learn that dementia is a disease, not a choice—and not their fault.

Empathy. They begin to see their loved one’s behavior through a lens of care, not confusion.

Confidence. They feel more equipped to talk about what’s happening—and ask for help when they need it.

Connection. They learn ways to stay close, even when things feel different.

Educating kids about dementia doesn’t take away the sadness—but it helps them make sense of it. It affirms their experiences, validates their questions, and reminds them that their feelings matter.

When we talk to kids about dementia, we’re not just teaching them about memory loss. We’re teaching them how to show up for the people they love—even when it’s hard. And that’s one of the most important lessons they’ll carry into adulthood.

Let’s give them the tools. Let’s trust them with the truth. Let’s believe that even the smallest hearts can hold deep understanding.

Because kids deserve answers. And our aging loved ones deserve to be seen through compassionate eyes—even (and especially) the ones still learning what that means.