Grandpa Sea Shells - A Speechmark Neurology Series. Talking About Dementia

'Grandpa Sea Shells' tells the story of three young children who spend a day with their grandparents after their grandfather has been diagnosed with dementia. The book is intended to support conversation at the time of first changes in a relative, a diagnosis of dementia and mild to moderate progression. Families and clinicians have told us this is the time period when they need material to support their explanations to children. Whilst the book could be used to start a conversation about any form of dementia, most of the key symptoms described in this story reflect the typical features associated with the Alzheimer's type, as this continues to be the most common. This book has been designed so that children of between four and ten can read it independently. Ideally it should be used with an adult to facilitate discussion about all aspects of family life and to enhance general emotional wellbeing. The book deliberately makes dementia one of many things going on for this family and highlights things that families can still enjoy together. We have included ideas for positive activities at the end of the book as well as puzzle and description pages that children can enjoy doing with a family member, teacher or clinician.