UNKNOWN

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, over six million Americans are living with the disease, and that number is only expected to increase as medicine improves and Americans live to older ages. As a result, millions of families have loved ones suffering from the disease, and of the over 11 million unpaid caregivers, almost a quarter of them have children.

When the author’s grandmother was diagnosed, she was in elementary school and couldn’t find many resources to help children understand what the disease was or how it would affect her grandmother. She was scared and confused, much like other children with loved ones suffering from Alzheimer’s.

Though her grandmother never got to see Cookies for Grandma get published, this project is her reminder that while Alzheimer’s is scary, the person with Alzheimer’s is forever someone who loves and is loved. Alzheimer’s, as a disease, doesn’t have to be scary. Understanding and supporting a loved one with Alzheimer’s is possible for everyone, including kids.

“My grandmother was someone who loved in action. Through Cookies for Grandma, I hope to inspire others to continue what she started—loving through action. Everything is better with chocolate chips and love-filled cookies.”

— Isabelle DeGrange